THE HUMAN STAIN

This novel completes the trilogy begun in 1997 with AMERICAN PASTORAL and followed in 1998 with I MARRIED A COMMUNIST. Here, Nathan Zuckerman, Roth's alter ego, tells the story of Coleman Silk, an eminent classics professor forced to resign from his New England college under charges of racism. The truth turns out to be far more complex than the false accusation. Arliss Howard is the voice of Zuckerman. He expertly conveys Zuckerman's varied emotions (outrage, puzzlement, warmth) as he tries to learn the truth. The two sections of the novel where the story is told by women are read by Debra Winger, and the substitution is very effective. Both readers get high marks for keeping the listener's rapt attention from start to finish. R.E.K. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]