OIL!

Author Upton Sinclair's remarkable early-twentieth-century epic tells the story of Southern California's cut-throat oil industry, and the lengths that some folks would go to enjoy success. Hard-pressed to outperform actor Daniel Day Lewis's Oscar-winning performance in the feature film adaptation, narrator Grover Gardner plays it straight in a solid and believable performance that will engage listeners with its simplicity and earnestness. Though there aren't many dramatic shifts in tone or accent, the sea of characters that floods this story is realistic from first to last. This is perhaps an even more remarkable feat considering the length of the production. Through thick and thin, Gardner never fails to deliver with passion and vigor. L.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 08]