ABOVE THE FIRE

Robert Fass captures the natural interplay between a father and son during an emotional struggle for survival. On a mountain excursion in New Hampshire, eight-year-old Tim and his father, Doug, are reeling from the recent death of Tim's mother. News of an unidentified national catastrophe forces the two hikers to seek refuge, rather than risk traveling home. Fass adds a subtle touch to the dialogue between Tim and Doug. One can hear affection between the two, as well as shared grief. Fass demonstrates skill in his voicing of quiet moments of tenderness and the suspense of mounting threats. The result is a subtly mesmerizing listen with a stellar performance grounded in the rhythms of human discourse. S.P.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2024]