FLUKE Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings

Nate Quinn is an easy-going marine biologist studying the "music" of humpback whales. Through Bill Irwin's narration, listeners can fully imagine Nate's shock when he sees the words "Bite Me" on the underside of a whale's tail. But when the rest of novel's large cast is introduced, Irwin's narration becomes problematic. His unmodulated reading prevents the science humor and numerous asides common to Moore's writing from shining through. Further, his attempt to add individualized voices for a very few characters, such as Kona, the "spliff-smoking Rastaman," distracts from the story. While Moore's humor is decidedly thoughtful and irreverent, Irwin's inconsistent delivery disappoints. E.J.F. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 03/JAN 04]