ALWAYS OUTNUMBERED, ALWAYS OUTGUNNED

On rare occasions, the skill and talents of author and narrator are both fully realized in one production; Mosley's latest is a shining example. Socrates Fortlow, having survived 27 years of hard time in prison, has settled in LA. Although he's low on money and job opportunites, the people and situations he encounters and examines, as he considers the meaning and worth of existence, make up a life that is far from ordinary. Paul Winfield's narration is rich, powerful and gentle, in turn, multi-layered and expressive. His skill at finding the right cadence for conversation, the voice for each character and his ability to quietly convey Socrates's strength and determination are matched by the cast of believable people created by the author. (This is no small feat in the short-story format.) The people met here--especially Socrates--are highly memorable. M.A.M. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 98]