EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS

The author of SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS serves up another atmospheric tale of the human condition in Washington state, this time with a doctor, Ben, who wants to commit suicide. Through adventures in the present and with flashbacks, we learn about his life and his most important choices. Narrator Don Hastings has a marvelous, deeply resonant voice that sets the mood perfectly. His calm, matter offact descriptions of Ben's preparations lure us into the story; then Hastings switches gears and uses a jauntier voice to tell us about love, war and medicine. He alters his pitch only slightly for female voices, correctly focusing on the literature, and reads Guterson's words with authority and meaning. Be warned, though, that the narrator does not announce tape or side numbers it's up to you to remember. R.I.G. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 99]