SATANTANGO

This translation of the Hungarian author's first novel presents some interesting challenges for the average listener. Grover Gardner's narration is fully invested in the content--it's brimming with energy and rife with vocal nuances--but the content itself is often inscrutable. Without clear context as to where we are and when, the audiobook is a collection of interestingly written sentences unified by a tone of gloom and foreboding. Gardner's distinctly modern voice, especially the tough-guy voices usually thought of as traditionally American, clash with the linguistic quirks of the translated text. Dialogue becomes awkward and stilted; plot gets lost in a series of encounters with no immediately clear link. Nonetheless, Gardner captures the novel's humor and angst. His performance is solid, and the material he delivers benefits from his expertise. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2020]