TO THE BRIGHT EDGE OF THE WORLD

This audiobook tells a haunting and haunted story of a late-nineteenth-century Alaskan expedition to the uncharted Wolverine River, a territory full of physical and psychic, even supernatural, dangers. It is vividly imagined and cleverly structured, juxtaposing diaries, letters, and official expedition reports with the contemporary voices of those, white and Native Alaskan, involved in preserving and curating those documents. Unfortunately, the voice of the expedition leader, Col. Allen Forrester, a battle-hardened Civil War veteran and western campaigner, is given in a soft, whispery tone, more Mr. Rogers than John Wayne. The letters and diary of his young wife, Sophie, are marred differently, by a faux-fancy "Masterpiece Theater" accent that serves no purpose. Still, the story is original and compelling, well worth the listen. B.G. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2016]