PEOPLE OF THE OWL

In Louisiana's deep swamps, over four millennia ago, the People of the Owl formed a thriving trade empire. Its center became America's oldest city. The People's history is told through the story of Salamander, a fey boy considered to be lazy and witless even by his own mother. Forced to leadership long before manhood, his road is far from easy. While Grover Gardner's performance of Salamander's saga is low-key, his shading of each different voice is subtle yet effective, translating its complexity into the listening experience. Both action and characters become easier to follow. This engrossing combination of excellent plot and reader delivers history at its most human and fascinating. P.H.M.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 04]