THE RIVER

The story begins with a terrifying episode that 5-year-old Gabriel and his father experience above a spectacular waterfall in Firewater Gorge. When Gabriel is a young man, the traumatic event mysteriously draws him back to the river with a seemingly supernatural force. Michael Neale's skillful portrayal captures Gabriel as a delightful, excited child and again as a questioning young man in search of himself and the father he loved Neale also delivers the terror in between. His characterization of Gabriel's growth to maturity sounds authentic. Music breaks, background music, and sounds of cascading waters add realism. Michael Neale is a talented author who narrates his own work with skill and empathy. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2012]