FROM DEATH TO MORNING

The writings of Thomas Wolfe exemplify a kind of unique American literature--excessive, romantic, excruciatingly sincere, autobiographical, sprawling, immensely flawed, the triumph of genius over skill. The stories herein share those traits, though the inspiration doesn't always rise to the occasion. John Edwardson is more consistent, reading with uniform brilliance. His expressive, listener-friendly baritone unfailingly captures the tone, atmosphere and characterization of each passage. He sounds as if he's thoroughly studied these works and fallen in love with them. Further, he allows himself to be lifted up in the lush, descriptive flights without ever overdoing it. One detects here and there that he's fighting a cold, which he never allows to interfere with his energy and concentration. Y.R. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: MAR/APR 98]