A MAN OF PARTS

David Lodge’s biographical novel chronicles the prolific life of H.G. Wells, writer of more than 100 books, lover of more than 100 women, and strident Fabian to boot. Narrator Steven Crossley is faithful to the text, giving Wells a tone that is confident and convinced of his own moral righteousness—although he does not have Wells’s high-pitched voice, for which we are grateful, given the length of this production. Crossley inhabits a myriad of characters with authentic accents, including Wells’s long-suffering and fascinating second wife, Jane; American novelist and critic Henry James; journalist Rebecca West; and Russian (and possible spy) Moura Budberg. Lodge employs the awkward storytelling device of Wells interviewing himself in old age. Crossley is even able to distinguish between the interrogative voice of conscience and the defensive elderly interviewee. A.B. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2012]