Billy Budd, Sailor

Published more than thirty years after Herman Melville's death, this unfinished novel tells the tragic story of Billy Budd, a sailor pressed into service on the HMS INDOMITABLE, a British frigate. Although popular with his shipmates, Budd incurs the wrath of Master-at-Arms John Claggart, a situation that builds up to a deadly confrontation. Many of Melville's unpolished passages read like philosophical ruminations rather than dramatic narrative. William Roberts uses this to his advantage, narrating with the persuasive tone of a debater. His reading will leave listeners pondering Budd's situation even after the novel is finished. The musical excerpts seem superfluous in the early chapters but underscore the drama later as Budd's situation becomes clearer. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

February 15, 2004
Gr 9 Up-In this distinguished presentation of Herman Melville's American literary tragedy set during the Napoleonic wars, the voice of actor William Roberts is so firm and knowledgeable that listeners feels as though he is relating his own experiences. He makes subtle voice changes for the speech and emotions of the characters. Being careful not to over-dramatize the story, Roberts allows Melville's own words to take priority and not his interpretation of them. Because Roberts clearly enunciates each syllable, he is easy to understand. With the exception of the word, "lieutenant," there is no noticeable accent to distract students. The overall atmosphere is maintained with a somber tone, but Roberts' somewhat brisk pace keeps it from becoming maudlin. His speed does fluctuate when necessary to present different moods. Periodically a musical interlude is used to foreshadow the upcoming events. An excellent addition to high school library collections.-Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

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