THE WHITE ROAD Journey into an Obsession

De Waal's journey to "three white hills" of porcelain clay--in China, Germany, and England--offers a personal look at the use of porcelain in science and art. Narrator Michael Maloney is de Waal's match for this wonderful work. The author's career as an artist who has worked in porcelain for three decades informs his travels. He is no simple craftsman but one who expresses himself with erudition in the poetry, philosophy, and history of a half dozen cultures. Maloney's honed acting skills offer a smooth, easy-to-follow narration. His cultured English accent suits de Waal's worldly perspective, and he adeptly handles names and phrases in French, Chinese, German, and Italian, as well as technical jargon, without a hitch. A great, informative performance. F.C. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2016]