A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN

With a rough-hewn Irish accent, John Lee narrates this classic novel by Ireland's favorite son. Joyce's first novel, this bildungsroman is nothing like his more daunting ULYSSES, but it still shows the wide range of style and tone he used in his writing. Narrating any Joyce text is a demanding task, but Lee pulls it off expertly, not trying to make unique voices for characters, but melding them into a coherent overall reading. Americans not accustomed to an Irish accent may need some time to get used to this narration, but it’s worth the effort as Lee’s delivery certainly provides the local color of this timeless novel. K.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]