SMOKY JOE'S CAFE

Humphrey Bower is Thommo, stressed-out Aussie Vietnam vet. His pace is frantic, his language raw, his accent spot-on. Thommo and his fellow vets grow marijuana to benefit Thommo’s leukemia-stricken daughter and other children damaged by Agent Orange. The project is a huge success. All the characters are memorable, especially Thommo’s wife, owner of the titular café, and the brains behind these operations. The final chapter is read in the voice of Thommo’s daughter. Not all the jargon will be familiar to Statesiders, but that shouldn’t matter. J.B.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 05]