THE DEAD AND OTHER STORIES

It's hard to explain what gives some readers a friendly, reassuring voice, but Ralph Cosham possesses such a natural appeal. Perhaps it's the lightness of his cadence or the pleasing, understated Irish accent he brings to these five short stories, including the famous final story, from Joyce's DUBLINERS. Cosham (or his director) falters only occasionally, as when he fails to pronounce with three syllables, as the narration indicates, Gabriel Conroy's surname "Con-o-roy," which was Joyce's way of showing the working-class speech of the caretaker's daughter, and when some of the spirited exchanges at the Morkans' annual New Year's Eve dinner are rendered a bit ordinarily. On the whole, however, a satisfying collection that also includes "Araby," "Eveline," "A Mother," and "Clay." G.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 02/ JAN 03]