Summer Lies

Schlink's intriguing collection of stories illuminates how people deal with their relationships. Narrated adeptly by David Colacci, the seven stories will certainly compel many listeners to contemplate their own issues. But the stories are a bit uneven. And Colacci seems to struggle with those instances in which even he feels the drag. Overall, however, the stories provide a diverse window into the characters' inner lives. The best story may be "Johann Sebastian Bach on Ruegen," in which a son invites his distant father to a Bach festival, only to discover that he, not his father, is the more distant of the two. Regardless of the success of each story, Colacci performs in a style that complements Schlink's prose. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine