DUBLINERS - James Joyce /Wordsworth/

DUBLINERS - James Joyce /Wordsworth/

Now here is something special. Widely recognized as one of the greatest collections of short fiction ever produced, Dubliners here gets the red carpet treatment it deserves. Lavishly decorated with more than 300 illustrations of people, places, and things referred to in the text, this oversized volume contains scholarly annotations for each of the 15 stories plus a general introduction to the collection as a whole. Though many less expensive editions are readily available, this illuminated Dubliners offers something for the serious Joycean student and the casual reader alike. A Dubliners to be cherished, it is well worth having if your library's budget can handle it.

Frank and Malachy McCourt and 13 Irish actors bring Joyce's short stories to life in this well-produced audiobook. None of the readers employ a thick accent in the narrative portions, but for dialogue they let their imitative talents shine and their Irish lilts bloom. Brendan Coyle and Charles Keating, reading "A Little Cloud" and "Grace" respectively, give such wonderful expression to the idiosyncrasies of every individual voice that the listener is never confused even when numerous men are talking. Joyce wrote only sparingly in actual dialect, but most of the readers interpret his intentions freely and successfully. Fionnula Flanagan is perfect reading "A Mother," her voice shifting easily between prim and proper tones and fiery indignation punctuated with little sighs. It helps that Joyce's writing is so masterful that when Flanagan and the two other actresses read the three stories that revolve around women, their words sound utterly natural. Not all the performances are on the same level-Stephen Rea's cold, somber voice is apt for the meditative beginning and ending sections of the collection's most famous story, "The Dead," but too flat for the central description of a lively party. This audiobook creates the atmosphere of a fireside storytelling session that will hold any listener in rapt attention. (May) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Joyce's classic has been recorded before, of course, but in this new version, each of the 15 stories will be read by a different person, including writers Frank McCourt, Malachy McCourt, and Patrick McCabe, and actors Ciaran Hinds and Colm Meaney. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.