THE ANTAGONIST

The raspy voice of MacLeod Andrews brings this hard-hitting masculine story to life in all its harshness, derision, and wit. The main character's biting sarcasm runs throughout the story, and listeners become acquainted with his worldview through his letters. Andrews never lets up on these qualities in his characterization, which he conveys with precise diction. He delivers the narrative at a rapid pace reminiscent of angst-ridden young male protagonists like J.D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield. The danger of such a vivid portrayal and dramatic persona is that too much of it can seem flat, like hearing the same note being played over and over. Those who enjoy bluntness, however, will find much to appreciate in the main character. M.R. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2013]