Kings of Infinite Space

Former literature professor Paul Trilby has slipped several rungs in the ladder of life, now toiling as a technical writer in a bureaucratic haze for the State of Texas and living in a run-down apartment on the bad side of town. His mundane life is unfortunately enlivened by bothersome appearances from a dead but demanding cat, and a series of bizarre encounters that no one else seems to notice. Adam Grupper provides a straight read for the narrative and for the voice of Trilby, enveloping the main character in a sea of cynical mediocrity. His collection of twangs for the other characters provides color, if not Texas authenticity. Grupper's delivery is a good match for Hynes's dark humor. N.M.C. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine