THE SABRE'S EDGE

It's 1823. The monsoons approach. British Cavalry Captain Hervey, hero of previous military novels, does his bloody duty to quell a revolt of Burmese insurgents, who for some incomprehensible reason resent British rule. Ingrates! The author, a military man, revels in battle scenes, obscure period detail, and reflections on the soldier's hard life serving the Raj. Erick Graham sounds like he's reading while standing at attention in full dress uniform. Stuffy and humorless, he treats the text less like an adventure novel than a formal report to a commanding officer. The thrills do manage to seep out. In contrast, his dialogue jumps out of the speakers, especially when he impersonates the gritty scrappers of the lower ranks. Y.R. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 06]