Audio

Auster himself narrates his 15th novel—following Man in the Dark (2008), also available from Macmillan Audio and BBC Audiobooks America—which deals with incestuous love, the magnetic power of intelligent evil, injustice, and self-discovery. His use of intertextuality and his crisp, simple prose will keep listeners fully engaged from beginning to end. However, his temperate and fluid narration makes it at times difficult to distinguish among the many characters, especially during dialog. For all appreciators of contemporary literature. ["If you've never read Auster, this is a great place to start," read the review of the Holt hc, LJ 10/1/09; fans, too, "will not be disappointed."—Ed.]—Isela Peña-Rager, San Dimas, CA

Cussler (www.numa.net/clive_cussler.html) revives larger-than-life railroad detective Isaac Bell, first seen in The Chase (2007), this time with coauthor Scott. It's 1907, and the Van Dorn Detective Agency is hired to stop the sabotaging of the Southern Pacific Railroad's express line. Cussler's descriptions of the train wrecks are vivid and believable; with his masterly vocalizations, Scott Brick (see Behind the Mike, LJ 10/15/09) is just the narrator to bring this action to life. Highly recommended. [The New York Times best-selling Putnam hc was described as "a very enjoyable romp," LJ 10/15/09; the third Isaac Bell novel, The Spy, will publish in June.—Ed.]—Joseph L. Carlson, Vandenberg Air Force Base Lib., Lompoc, CA

Doctorow (craphound.com) presents a dizzyingly fast-paced work of adult sf that looks at a near-future America where homelessness is commonplace and outmoded corporations implode, skillfully weaving plot with "hard" geek detail. The sprawling story manages much social commentary (e.g., on obesity, politics, loneliness) and shows that such business concerns as sabotage, intellectual property rights, and lawsuits are perpetual. Narrator Bernadette Dunne (see Behind the Mike, LJ 5/15/09) does a remarkable job with the lengthy technical explanations as well as in demarcating the voices of shifting first-person narrators. Highly recommended. [See Audio NewsBriefs, LJ 10/15/09; the Tor hc also received a starred review, LJ 10/15/09.—Ed.]—Douglas C. Lord, Connecticut State Lib., Hartford

Kingsolver's sixth novel, following Prodigal Summer (2000), also available from Recorded Books and Harper Audio, opens in 1930s Mexico. The outsider's view that American expat Harrison Shepherd's perspective affords of this key era in Mexico's artistic and political history should drive the book, but there is too slow a build to the intriguing characters—e.g., Leon Trotsky—he later meets. Though ambitious, this title lacks Kingsolver's usual vitality. Perhaps the audio would have been better served by a professional narrator, or maybe the problem is the blandness of her central character. Whatever the case, Kingsolver's popularity recommends this audio for larger collections. ["Her most timely and powerful novel yet," read the review of the New York Times best-selling HarperCollins hc, LJ 10/15/09.—Ed.]—Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo

This first book in No. 1 New York Times best-selling author Roberts's (www.noraroberts.com) O'Hurley series, originally published in 1998 and available for the first time on audio, centers on widow Abigail, who lives on a horse farm with her two sons. To help pay the bills, Abby agrees to let journalist Dylan Crosby write a biography of her late husband, a former race-car driver. A mutual attraction between the two complicates matters in this appealing story of a strong, proud woman and her determination to protect her sons. Actress/singer Marie Caliendo's pleasing voice helps reinforce the tale's powerful emotions. Recommended. [The second book in this series, Dance to the Piper, is also available from Brilliance Audio.—Ed.]—Denise A. Garofalo, Mount Saint Mary Coll. Lib., Newburgh, NY

Man Booker International Prize winner Achebe (literature, Bard Coll.; Things Fall Apart) presents a collection of autobiographical essays largely adapted from speeches in which he recalls his Nigerian education, his experiences as a father and professor, and more. He fervently decries colonialism, racism, and early Western views of Africa; Joseph Conrad receives some of his harshest criticism. Actor/narrator Michael Page's (The Picture of Dorian Gray) solid performance suits the tone of the essays, which Achebe himself describes as rambling at times. Fans of Achebe's nonfiction and fiction works alike will enjoy; purchase where demand warrants. [The Knopf hc received a starred review, LJ 10/1/09.—Ed.]—Risa Getman, Hendrick Hudson Free Lib., Montrose, NY

Bradley, whose Flyboys (2004) was an LJ Best Seller, here uses President Theodore Roosevelt's 1905 diplomatic mission to Asia to describe the United States' rise as a player in the Pacific and East Asia. Actor/narrator Richard Poe reads this unflattering picture of our country and former President with nuance, his voice full of confidence and authority. For those wanting a nonsugarcoated version of the events that set the stage for World War II. [The Little, Brown hc was recommended for "anyone interested in American history," LJ 11/15/09.—Ed.]—Michael T. Fein, Central Virginia Community Coll. Lib., Lynchburg

In his first work of nonfiction, Foer (www.jonathansafranfoer.com) delivers an opinionated, disturbing examination of carnivorism, his arguments against eating animals meandering from reasonable to personal to gruesome. Narrator Jonathan Todd Ross (Rooftops of Tehran) effectively captures Foer's voice, but the lack of any citations or a bibliography is frustrating. In the same vein as Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, this will be enjoyed by appreciators of the food-activist genre; others might find it too grisly. ["Sure to attract animal welfare and animal rights advocates as well as Foer's fans and general readers interested in learning more about the meat they eat," read the review of the Little, Brown hc, LJ Xpress Reviews, 11/27/09.—Ed.]—Johannah Genett, Hennepin Cty. Libs., Minneapolis

The late Tony Award-winning playwright Gelbart's tour de force political satire about the Iran-Contra Senate hearings is enough to make listeners cry with laughter and also to shed a few real tears over the realistic nature of it all. Double-speak and triple-speak rule the day in a way that would make George Orwell proud; Gelbart reveals a mastery of puns and double entendres that indicates that his abilities have only improved since his work on TV's M*A*S*H. The sound production is top-notch, while the performances of the 16-person cast, headed by Walter Matthau and Edward Asner, are all stellar in tone, emphasis, and execution. Strongly recommended.—Lance Eaton, Peabody, MA

In this rock'n'roll memoir, O'Dell recalls the arc of her young life, which included rubbing shoulders with such luminaries of the late-1960s London music scene as the Beatles, the Stones, and Eric Clapton, not to mention Bob Dylan. Her role at the time as an Apple Records assistant even enabled her to participate in the creative process, as when she lent her (admittedly amateurish) vocals to the refrain of "Hey Jude." Actress/narrator Renée Raudman's pleasing, often playful voice conveys O'Dell's endless surprise at her good fortune. For those wanting an inside look at the music business during the apex, and aftermath, of rock's most important era. [The Touchstone hc was recommended "for fans of Pamela Des Barres's I'm with the Band and Pattie Boyd's Wonderful Tonight," LJ 9/15/09.—Ed.]—Chris Rager, Pasadena, CA

Smith's (On Beauty) eclectic collection of essays, most previously published, is divided into five broad sections: "Reading," "Being," "Seeing," "Feeling," and "Remembering." Listeners will savor her deft, elegant prose and honed humor as she saunters her way through subjects ranging from George Eliot's Middlemarch to Hollywood on Oscar night. Narrator Barbara Rosenblat's (206 Bones) jaunty tone is a good match for this collection, which is recommended for Smith's fans as well as for those liking literary criticism. [The Penguin hc was recommended "for readers of nonfiction, creative writing enthusiasts, and literary scholars," LJ 10/1/09.—Ed.]—Beth Farrell, Portage Cty. Dist. Lib., Garrettsville, OH