Crashing Through

When Mike May lost his eyesight in childhood, he thought he would never see again, but with the help of scientific breakthroughs his sight has been returned. This audiobook traces May's life as a blind person and his emergence into the world of sight, along with the limitations and challenges that came with it. Doug Ordunio's gentle voice presents May's life in a casualâ almost intimateâ tone that makes listeners feel like they could be on a first-name basis with May. Ordunio's vocal characterizations provide a moderate range of differentiation, and his handling of emotions is impressive. His delivery sensitively reflects the ups and downs of May's life. L.E. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

July 30, 2007
Christopher Evan Welch brings a tone of boyish wonder to the reading of Kurson's biography of Mike May, a highly successful entrepreneur, athlete, husband and father who undergoes experimental surgery to regain the vision that he lost in a chemical explosion at age three. When May chooses to pursue the risky procedure, he rejects the notion of blindness as an infirmity that requires healing. Instead, May views the restoration of sight as a new adventure to explore with the same gusto that he has demonstrated in all facets of life. Without pathos or pity, Welch vividly portrays May's challenge of processing the mental complexities of his newfound vision, including navigating the aisles of Costco and recognizing the gender of patrons at a neighborhood coffee bar. Some listeners may not fully embrace the stance of hearty stoicism, but others will be captivated by the decidedly nonmelodramatic perspective. As an added bonus, the audiobook includes an insightful follow-up interview between Kurson and May. Simultaneous release with the Random hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 16).