PUDD'N HEAD WILSON

Twain's basic point that upbringing is everything is portrayed in this dark and complex satire on people's inability to see beyond racial stereotypes. Ray Verna's fully voiced recording is of consistently good quality in audio production and reader performance. While Twain's work is often performed in an older, crotchety voice, Verna interprets with a smoother, more standard voice, more appropriate for the character of twentyfiveyearold David Wilson. Verna is also effective characterizing the desperate and shrewd Roxy, no doubt helped by Twain's phonetically written black dialect. Verna understands the story well and is sincere in his delivery. This is the audio equivalent of attending good amateur theater where earnestness counts, and small deficiencies are overlooked. P.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN 92]