I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD

Josh Clark portrays the dog Stella with enthusiasm contrasted with a bit of aloofness, a blend that makes her character the most successful in his narration. The rest of his performance isn’t as compelling. Clark has a slightly raspy voice that can work well but sounds misplaced for the story's main character, Paul Gustavson, a soppy, out-of-shape writer who’s trying to turn around his life after his father has a debilitating stroke. Filled with insecurity and uncertainty, Paul blusters his way through his work, love life, and dealings with his family until he crumbles and begins communicating with his barely functioning father—who provides an obvious but pat solution to Paul’s problems. Clark’s voice simply isn’t whiny enough for Paul’s character. L.E. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2010]