I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE

The fates of an angst-ridden man and his paranoid-schizophrenic twin are inextricably bound in this symbolic and naturalistic first-person novel. Ken Howard does a particularly nice job with characterization and further graces the text with his understanding of its subtext and drama. Strangely, though, he detaches from the hero/narrator, whose conflicting passions animate the story. He has opted against full impersonation, perhaps because doing so would reveal more of the character’s unsympathetic teeth-gnashing. Indeed, Howard makes the most of the novel’s strengths--crisp writing and idiomatic dialogue--and with the help of an excellent abridgment renders its weaknesses--pedantry and triteness--inconsequential. This award-winning Broadway stalwart here shows himself to be as adept behind the mike as behind the footlights. Y.R. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 98]