Sweet Thursday

Fans of Steinbeck's classic CANNERY ROW will enjoy this journey back to the Monterey neighborhood where characters--and they are characters in every sense!--interact with one another with a combination of unabashed warmth and rascally rakishness. Jerry Farden's performance is at ease with the wide range of characters--from the sharp-tongued proprietress of the brothel who is trying to play matchmaker for one of her "girls" to the slow-witted fellow who is attempting to boost his friend's spirits through unconventional means. Farden's skill captures each individual without missing a step, and he spotlights Steinbeck's subtle humor as he renders the snappy dialogue. Listeners don't need to read CANNERY ROW first to appreciate this book, but after listening to Farden, many will want to look into that title, too. L.B.F. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine