NIGHTJOHN

Through the first-person narrative of Sarni, a twelve-year-old slave in the 1850's, we learn the terrifying risk of learning--even letters or numbers. Nightjohn, another slave comes to the plantation with a mission--teaching the way to know. As a choice for audio, Nightjohn is excellent--though a caution to listeners of the story's brutal and graphic cruelty. The narrative is vivid, bold and exquisitely read by Woods. Her voice is lyrical, beautifully capturing the images and emotions. Her voice has a slight breathless quality which is perfect to capture the young girl's excitement and fear. The cadence of the reading makes subtle shifts and the dialogue, in dialect, is clear. This is an exceptional piece of oral history. The performance and text are profoundly moving. R.F.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG 93]