Crome Yellow

Robert Whitfield's unabridged reading of Huxley's first novel is a triumph of one man's vocal capacities. Crome Yellow introduces many ideas Huxley would explore in fuller and more exact detail later, but Whitfield's vocal acrobatics in portraying the cast of characters assembled at an English country estate for a summer vacation in the 1920's makes for dazzling aural entertainment. Otherwise fatuous goings-on become intriguing shenanigans, and the characters' psychological portraits are rendered accurately through the unique voices Whitfield assigns them. With each change of the five cassettes, the listener is more captivated. H.L.S. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

September 1, 1999
Although Blackstone is to be commended for rediscovering many older literary classics, these two early Huxley novels might better have been left to rest in peace. Crome Yellow (1921) depicts an aristocratic cast of eccentrics in a British country house who do nothing but talk...and talk.... Antic Way (1923) shifts to a similar group of Bohemians in London who spend hours in elegant restaurants discussing art and philosophy. With so much conversation and so little action, reading these books aloud is unquestionably the best way to dramatize Huxley's brilliant dialog. Robert Whitfield does it full justice and proves that he is now one of the best narrators in the business. Recommended only for Huxley fans.--Jo Carr, Sarasota, FL

Copyright 1999 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.