Tooth and Claw and Other Stories

T. Coraghessan Boyle reads some of his own humorous and closely observed short stories, which have won faithful readers and critical praise when printed in THE NEW YORKER, GQ, PLAYBOY, and other periodicals. He proves that his literary abilities outshine his dramatic ones--though the latter are not inconsiderable. He employs excellent expressive phrasing and boasts an intelligent, urbane sound that treats the ear kindly. Yet the listener's attention often strays. Boyle speaks a bit too quickly and lacks the kind of color that commands attention. So while the writing is fine indeed, the narrating is merely okay. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine