A STAR CALLED HENRY

Roddy Doyle's signature style combines brusque realism with the touching humor of everyday life. Set in the grubby poverty of turn-of-the-century Dublin, this tale of a poor Irish boy's rise to fame is a bittersweet homage to family life. With his animated performance, Doyle does an excellent job of bringing his own unique characters to life. An urgency in his voice shines through his light brogue and colors the painfully detailed text in all the right places. Overall, it is the accessibility of Doyle's delivery that keeps listeners enrapt. R.A.P. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 00]