In the Blink of an Eye

What more could the American people learn about this tragic crash? A lot. This fascinating book is filled with interesting information about the largest criminal investigation in American history. Even if the content were not interesting, Poe's reading would be pleasurable. His rugged, masculine voice sounds like what one imagines an FBI agent to sound like. He reads with a great pace, and his tone communicates the emotions of investigators and family members alike. Moreover, Poe's impersonations of the many characters involved are excellent. An added bonus is the enjoyable interview with the author, which serves as an appendix. M.L.C. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

September 15, 2000
This is the story of Vina Aspara, a woman doomed to a life of fame and tragedy. Two men spend their lives loving her: Ormus, who becomes her partner in a band that breaks all pop music records, and Rai, who has loved her since childhood. Vina lives an unsteady life, never settling on one place or one man. The narrator, Rai, shifts among times and places frequently, often foreshadowing things to come and then going back to tell how it all came to pass. Rushdie is not writing to be heard; his allusions to mythology and pop culture are frequent and complex, inviting contemplation and consideration. This, combined with the multitude of characters and histories, makes the book difficult to follow while driving in heavy traffic or washing dishes. Nonetheless, Stephen Crossley's reading is superb, making the frequent long stretches of exposition, description, and Rai's musings on the state of the universe, which might be tedious to many readers in print, sparkle. He does a fair job of bringing the characters to life and distinguishing among their many voices. Generous pauses between scenes, which might be annoying in a less dense work, are welcome moments for reflection. This is cerebral literary fiction and a worthy book by an important author in a format many might find less intimidating than print; recommended.--Adrienne Furness, Genesee Community Coll., Batavia, NY

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