THE CAT WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS

Cleveland Amory is renowned for his lifetime work in support of animal welfare, and he has written many books on the subject. A popular one is recorded here--Amory's life and musings on a rescued alley cat ultimately dubbed "Polar Bear." It could be that on the page this is a witty and amusing tale, but read by Alan Sklar with overbearing and mawkish good humor, its appeal is compromised. Amory is a fair humorist and can certainly provide enough pathos for any animal lover, but Sklar so overplays it that only the most sentimental listener will enjoy this. Comedy, admittedly, is the most difficult genre to play, and the director should have detected the problems herein. D.J.B.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]