CATWINGS

Le Guin's unlikely premise—four winged kittens go off into the world to seek their fortunes—takes immediate flight with the author's loving narration. Le Guin has a comfortable down-to-earth voice—in fact, she sounds familiar, like someone you already know. She also has an insider's knowledge of this story, which casts an immediate spell of intimacy. With the deliberate pacing of a poet, Le Guin lingers over significant words and phrases as she constructs her fanciful, yet concretely detailed, cat world. Along with giving each of the four tabbies his or her own personality, she creates a memorable cast of background characters that include a mother tabby, incredulous birds, quiet fish, and the deep-thinking owl. This production is enjoyable and original from beginning to end. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 08]