TRANS-SISTER RADIO

Books can make you think, challenge convention, or reconsider preconceptions. Chris Bohjalian's novel tells of Allison Banks, a teacher who dates Dana Stevens, a professor teaching a night course she takes. After Dana and Allison fall in love, Dana reveals that he will undergo a sex change and asks Allison to remain his lover after surgery. Kymberli Colbourne's superb reading begins with the romance and continues through surgery to the controversy that erupts in the Vermont town. Colbourne reads each character's "transcripts" from an NPR series created by Allison's ex-husband, with verve, adding dramatically to the presentation. Colbourne's subtle, effective mix of inflection sets a pace that never falters in a book that defies stereotypes. D.J.S. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]