MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN

Rather than imposing himself on the work, Steve Buscemi, a name familiar to anyone following modern film noir, adds to Lethem's brilliant novel, making it his as well as the author's. This detective tale is told from the point of view of Lionel Essrog, one of four orphans banded together by private detective Frank Minna. When their mentor is murdered, Essrog seeks to solve not only the crime, but also the meaning behind his boss's enigmatic agency. The real novelty in this work lies in the protagonist's Tourette's syndrome, which manifests in ticks, verbal ejaculations, and obsessive attention to details. Rather than making a joke or gimmick out of the neurological condition, the author treats it as a part of Lionel Essrog that is sometimes sad, often funny, and always human. Buscemi's rendering of the verbal ticks is handled subtly and effectively, without overdoing or lampooning the condition. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]