KICKING THE SKY

This contemporary version of OLIVER TWIST is set in the alleys of Toronto, Canada, with a cast of Portuguese immigrant boys who have distracted, though loving, parents. Narrator Tomas Marsh is a lovely choice for this coming-of-age story because his voice seems to vibrate in deep tones for his male characters. Marsh's particular strength is capturing the vibrant, young protagonist. Female characters sound a bit whiny, but they’re balanced by the variety in the rest of the narration. Marsh captures the ups and downs of life in this unlikely crime story, gracing the occasional Portuguese words with a lilting intonation that gives the narration cultural authenticity. M.R. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2014]