A FINE AND PRIVATE PLACE

Mr. Rebeck lives in a cemetery. A talking raven brings him food. He’s afraid to leave. He talks to dead people. Two of these dead people fall in love with each other, while Mr. Rebeck falls in love with a widow. In a book containing a large proportion of dialogue, Peter S. Beagle’s best work as a narrator comes through some of his characterizations. Rebeck and his widow, Mrs. Clapper, are as finely performed as they are written. The ghosts and raven, however, fall somewhat flat. Overall, the author’s performance comes across as understated and depressing, qualities not at all helpful in dealing with the premise of the book, farfetched in its own right. R.P.L. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB / MAR 03]