THE COLDEST NIGHT

War can make a man who he is. Henry Childs is one such man in this sweeping story of love and war. The story is rich in detail, and Richard Poe gives an almost poetic performance. He sets a deliberate pace, giving emphasis to the conditions and nuances surrounding Henry’s experiences at home as well as during the horrific battles he confronts in the Korean War. Olmstead’s story is romantic at first, with Poe almost grinning as he details the budding love story of Henry and Mercy. It turns dark and tragic as Henry is deployed to the frozen war zone of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea. Poe excels in portraying his trip home as a scarred and forever changed man. S.C. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2012]