THE TRUTH ABOUT THESE STRANGE TIMES

Friendship leads to trouble for Howard, a slow-witted man who befriends a boy who's suffering from headaches and nightmares as he prepares for the world memory championships. Colin Moody's narration emphasizes the absurdity of a 10-year-old competing in such a competition even as the characters face the consequences of taking off on a road trip to escape it. Moody also builds character, especially with the brogue he gives Howard and the petulant, erudite voice he gives the boy. Through small details the novel's atmosphere and the inner worlds of the two protagonists take shape. Foulds's depiction of bleakness juxtaposed with the characters' fears and hopes creates an extreme take on the pressures of contemporary childhood. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2010]