SOLAR

Fans of Ian McEwan will not be surprised by this book, which features the author's trademark wit, plot twists, and quirky characters. The story of a has-been Nobel-prize-winning physicist who is dealing with climate change AND his failed marriage is full of subtle English humor, yet it reveals many truths about the human condition. However, narrator Roger Allam does a disservice to this book. While Allam's voice is agreeable, his plodding, soporific pace takes away from the novel. If one listens on a device that can be sped up, the reading is fine, but at normal speed it's just uninteresting. K.M. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2010]