JUST AS I AM

This new audio adaptation of Harris's novel, a vivid and at times unsettling story of a man's coming to terms with AIDS, features two narrators. But, unlike many cases, this isn't merely a gimmick here. Boatman, a television actor whose credits include the popular series "Spin City," and noted Broadway performer Braxton combine their talents to lift this moving and memorable story off the page. The novel, which was named Novel of the Year by the Blackboard African-American Bestsellers, Inc., is multilayered, and this abridgment strips away some of the layers. But it's well worth listening to the excellent performances and Harris's intelligent handling of a difficult subject. D.P. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 99]