EXLEY

An undisputed prodigy, 9-year-old seventh-grader Miller insists that his father is in a VA hospital in Watertown, New York, with injuries suffered from fighting in Iraq. Neither his therapist nor his mother believes him. Narrator Michael Sullivan gets Miller’s child-genius attitude just right. We are sad for the boy who is trying to make sense of his father’s abandonment of his family. Sullivan doesn't sentimentalize, allowing Miller his own voice—sometimes nasty, often coolly superior. As Miller’s pompous, self-satisfied therapist, Chris Sorenson is annoying and spot-on. He’s completely credible as the doctor lustfully fantasizes about Miller’s mother. Miller’s father’s favorite book is Frederick Exley’s A FAN’S NOTES, and Miller believes that his father will recover if only he can find Exley. Worthwhile listening. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2011]