TREACLE WALKER

This compact yet intense fantasy may confuse many listeners, as well as beguile them. British actor Robert Powell narrates the magical story of an English boy, Joe Coppook, who encounters strange folkloric characters who confound him as he wrestles with the nature of time and of good and evil. Powell shows his theatrical skills in his portrayals. Whimsical characters--such as the bog man, the heroes and villains from a 1940s comic book, the rag-and-bone man called Treacle Walker, and, of course, Joe--are all expertly brought to life. The language of this fantasy is literary but archaic. The British slang and northern English idioms, plus the mythological references. make this a challenging listen despite its lyrical tone and Powell's dramatic talent. D.L.G. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2024]