THE PRIVILEGES

Jonathan Dee’s sharply observed story of a privileged couple who become rich beyond their dreams, and beyond their capacity for happiness, is one of the outstanding novels of this past year. This outstanding production allows David Baker to exercise the full range of his vocal skills. At one point he’s even called upon to sing—a task he performs sufficiently well, in context. The story is part social satire, part human comedy, and Baker delivers its wry objectivity and its underlying confusion and heartache without strain or contrivance. Often, one forgets he’s rendering character voices and connects directly with the characters and scenes—surely the objective in good storytelling. Faithful to the text in pace and tone, his fine reading enhances the moral understatement that attends this story of insider trading. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2011]