THE UNDERDOG STORIES

Narrator Matthew Lloyd Davies does a rousing job presenting these stories, which vary greatly in style and scope. In "His Dirty Little Portal," we meet Neville as he enters an alternate universe. He sounds believable as he becomes more and more obsessed with this new world and leaves Lilly, his real-life girlfriend, for a virtual one. "Dog Done Bad" is a surprisingly moving story in which Rhuben decides to have surgery to become a dog. His conversations with his wife are endearing while the conclusion brings tears. "Rent" focuses on contemporary life with few jobs and tight money. Listeners will identify with Lloyd Davies's Hannah as she struggles to make ends meet and cope with her creepy boyfriend. Those who enjoy unusual stories will enjoy this most. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2015]