GREAT AMERICAN WRITERS

Since a number of these stories were written in the 1930's and 1950's, there's an old-fashioned quality to this collection. Having five different readers works well, allowing the listener to shift gears easily between stories. But some voices work better than others. Ossie Davis's voice is jarring unless it's matched with a black character, such as the one in Langston Hughes's "On the Road." Perhaps because Julie Harris is the only female voice, her presentation of the grieving family in Joy Williams's "The Skaters" is particularly moving. While Sam Waterston and Len Cariou are good, Edward Asner is masterful in performing a variety of roles. J.H.L. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 98]