BLUE AT THE MIZZEN

If you like a good performer, and don't mind a ham, you'll appreciate Patrick Tull, who puts himself into this story with dozens of different voices, accents, velocities, and ways of speaking British English. Sometimes Tull's characters are so drunk or mumbling as to not be easily understood, but no matter. To understand all details is not critical, for we also may not know a binnacle from a barnacle. The large cult of readers of the Aubrey/Maturin series of sea stories by Patrick O'Brian are intellectual hounds looking for vicarious adventure. This actor's abundant theatrics bring excitement, authenticity, tempo, and intoxication to the fantasies the persuasion seeks. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]