CATULLUS' BEDSPREAD The Life of Rome's Most Erotic Poet

Dunn's impressionistic life of Catullus, the passionate and often obscene Roman poet, gets a smart and engaging reading from Mike Grady. (Note: Graphic sexual references abound.) Grady's deep, rough, yet velvety voice and his well-measured, almost rhythmic, pacing could sweep listeners along if he read the back of a cereal box. He brings intelligence and a rich emotional sense to the text and the many quotations from the poetry. The latter are delivered in a regional British accent, probably to suggest a "hick" accent for Catullus, who came from the Gaulish north of Italy. Though a thoughtful and intriguing choice, the difference in accents between the narrative and quotes from Catullus sometimes distracts. Still, this program engages the mind and the senses, affording the listener rich pleasure. W.M. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2016]