FUTURELAND Nine Stories of an Imminent World

The creator of mean streets detective Easy Rawlins offers nine science-fiction short stories of a high order. Like many who enter this genre only occasionally, Mosley comments satirically on the present, specifically aspects of African-American life, which he treats with perception and gritty imagination. Narrator Richard Allen fully employs his skill with characterization, reserving his wonted soft tones for the narrative. He nicely serves moments of high drama and tension. Unfortunately, he also misreads many lines, obscuring or reversing their meaning. His diction could be better, particularly when he impersonates a highly volatile or strongly accented character. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]