THE HATBOX BABY

The title character in Brown's novel is a premature baby who is brought by hatbox to the incubator exhibit at the 1933 World's Fair. While this baby is the catalyst for a number of changes in a number of lives, the true main character is the fair itself. Grover Gardner lends his rich voice to rich descriptions of the atmosphere and the people who create it. The World's Fair is a mosaic of bright sights and individuals: fan dancers alongside scientists, self-proclaimed "freaks" alongside tiny babies. Although the plot's pacing can be inconsistent at times, Gardner lets the setting unroll like a lavish carpet, and his artful, patient narration makes this novel worth a listen. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 01]