Great Soul

Lelyveld's fascinating and controversial biography examines a life that encompassed the saintliness and transformational power of a mahatma as well as the weaknesses and flaws of a very human man. Narrator Mark Bramhall's objective tone avoids any sensationalism or editorializing as he presents incidents and personalities in a clear, pleasant voice that stands up well to the lengthy and wide-ranging account. His crisp pacing moves the text forward and keeps it from bogging down under the weight of its exhaustive, yet interesting, details. Bramhall seamlessly transitions between unaccented narrative and conversations and correspondence delivered in lilting Indian English. In this approach he follows Lelyveld's welcome shifts from scholarly analysis of the revered icon and his impact on world events to a more intimate analysis of the man and his personal relationships and struggles. M.O.B. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine