ONLY SON

A former television newscaster writes of his struggles to forgive his abusive father, while saying good-bye to the dying man. This fairly common tale of what if's and why's in the life of an African-American man who has achieved a certain level of celebrity is raised to the level of the sublime by Thomas Penny's narration. With poignancy and subtlety, Penny reads rather than performs. By receding into the background, Penny gives the listener the opportunity to truly hear Johnson's heartfelt story of loss and redemption. P.R.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]