Friday

Friday (no last name) is a genetically engineered woman who works as a courier for a secret organization in one of the various regional governmental units of what was once the United States. Chaos, bigotry, free and unfettered sex, rape, and other forms of violence are endemic, but strong and caring relationships somehow survive. Hillary Huber finds a voice for Friday that rings true. She's a survivor who is relatively unemotional about events that occur, but, despite her detached manner, she feels deeply about other people. With a quick and steady pace Huber gives the impression that Friday is always moving forward. Her no-nonsense tone, even when the future looks bleak, keeps the focus on the story. J.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine


In what should be subtitled, "Sex and the Sometimes Single Cyborg," the author tells the story of a female artificial person (Friday) and her adventures as a secret courier in the unidentified future. Edward Lewis has a robotic quality to his voice, which is great for science fiction as it gives the book a futuristic sound.Unfortunately, he reads too fast, doesn't emphasize key words and makes Friday sound like an interstellar airhead. Lewis gives her voice a schoolgirl breathiness which, when combined with Heinlein's misogynistic writing, severely undercuts Friday's authority. She seems preoccupied with sex, and Lewis never gives her voice irony, humor or worldliness. His other characterizations are varied and interesting, and although he reads too fast, Lewis's pacing keeps the story moving. R.I.G. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine