THREE MEN IN A BOAT

Martin Jarvis’s reading of Jerome’s late-Victorian comic novel, of three young men going up the Thames in a small boat, is a fine example of how an audio program can provide more, and be more enjoyable, than the printed book it’s based on. Jarvis’s voice is excellent. His shadings bring out the frequent irony and humor perfectly, but also fit the many serious or semi-serious asides and digressions on history, scenery, and mores. He provides varied voices for the three major characters and accents for the minor characters, all of which seem appropriate to their provenance and social class. He even sings the songs. His performance enhances an already enjoyable original. W.M. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 05]