FACTS BEHIND THE HELSINKI ROCCAMATIOS

Four stories from before Martel's breakout LIFE OF PI are read by four proficient narrators, whose voices match their characters well. Jeff Woodman, in the title novella, is perhaps the standout, but he has the meatiest, most emotional, material. Barbara Caruso, a second reader in the last story, overdoes the "quavery old lady" voice. But good use is made of the aural medium as the depiction of how her words sound to her grandson--“blah, blah, blah"--overlays his spoken thoughts. The stories themselves are pleasant enough middlebrow fiction (think Thornton Wilder as novelist), sometimes gimmicky but generally entertaining, except for the monotonous "Manners of Dying," which goes on too long. W.M. 2006 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 05]