THE KIDNAPPING OF AARON GREENE

Although more than a score of characters traipse through this Atlanta-based novel, not a single one has even a trace of a Southern accent. That would be a niggling complaint were it the only fault with this audiobook, but it is symptomatic of a lack of authenticity throughout this recording. Certainly Kay deserves the lion's share of the blame. The novel, about the kidnapping of a completely unremarkable young man, means to be a sharp critique of America's moral psyche, but Kay betrays such a lack of sophistication about the media, about corporate power, and about society in general that his entire effort rings hollow. Guidall cannot escape criticism either. The contemporary hurly-burly is not Guidall's forte. He does not do well with hard-boiled characters, with street-smart reporters or cops or criminals. There's a fussiness to his reading that only further reminds you that this novel lacks any measure of verisimilitude. M.O. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]