THE DOG WITH THE CHIP IN HIS NECK

Romanian-American poet-editorialist Codrescu is, deservedly, a favorite commentator on NPR's "All Things Considered." One of the finest essayists of the decade, he's witty, eloquent, perceptive, knowledgeable and healthfully skeptical. This collection of observations on American life illustrates all of these virtues. It also exhibits what an awful reader he is. Still, his monotonous, slightly strident, Draculesque tones contribute to his charm. Paradoxically, his writing, good as it is, doesn't have half the personality on the page that it has on the tape. These selections represent the author's lighter fare though they don't shy away from controversial topics or earthy language. As he himself says, "Transylvanians have their pride." Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT 96]