HOCKEY SUR GLACE

Peter LaSalle's brief collection, set largely in the northeastern U.S. in the 1950's and '60's, is a nostalgic look at young men growing up surrounded by hockey. Most of the stories are poignant and unsentimental, and Johnny Heller's nasally voice is unwavering, but without warmth. His handling of the many French names is also, well, comme ci, comme ça. All this is tolerable during the first few stories, which are the strongest in the collection. But the quality of the writing tapers off toward the end, and Heller's narration can't save the collection from dragging. D.B. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 99]