BLACK BOY

Wright's unforgettable account of his upbringing in the Deep South is harrowing. It makes palpable the terror that existed in the everyday lives of Southern blacks in the early part of the century. In Wright's America, an inadvertent remark or gesture could ignite a spasm of life-changing violence. As spellbinding as Wright's narrative is, James's reading makes it even more vivid. His command of Southern and African-American dialects lends an authority that makes Wright's disturbing story as vital and contemporary as ever. And James's timing underscores the tension and suspense that are never far removed in Wright's powerful story. M.O. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 99]