Native Son

Polite and even fearful in the presence of his white "betters," Bigger Thomas also hates them with a passion not even he can fully fathom. When he says "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir," narrator Peter Francis James gets the menace in there behind the stilted manners. James has a gorgeous voice, a voice to fill a room with, and plays some characters with dash and conviction. Unfortunately, he reads the all-knowing narrator with less modulation, reminding us that the book is half novel and half political manifesto. Still, this is memorable presentation of a landmark in American literature. Bigger Thomas thinks and then does the unthinkable. He was invented in 1940. Now he has a voice. B.H.C. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Starred review from June 30, 2008
Wright's classic 1940 novel about a young African-American man who murders a white woman in 1930s Chicago is a truly remarkable literary accomplishment. Peter Francis James has never been better, bringing the character of Bigger Thomas to life in a profound and moving performance that is as touching as it is truthful. James's powerful baritone demands to be heard, captivating listeners with Wright's realistic portrayal of life in the inner city, capturing the mood of each and every scene. With moderate yet believable variations in tone and dialect for each of the characters, James ignites the collective imagination of his audience. Wright's novel is real, raw and brutally honest and James's reading follows suit.