E.B. WHITE ON DOGS Letters by E.B. White

E.B. White's voice is so deadpan on the page that it is nearly impossible to translate into spoken word. And White cared; he reports here that he disliked a recording of CHARLOTTE'S WEB done by wonderful Julie Harris and insisted on rerecording it in "my own monotone." White's own monotone being no longer an option, Malcolm Hillgartner does his level best to render White's quiet drollery without overplaying or spoiling the jokes, and his best is splendid. It's a marvelous organizing principle for a sampler of White's wit and wisdom, to collect his thoughts on dogs he has owned, and others he has known. Martha White profoundly understands her grandfather's style and evergreen charm, and fans of White and of dogs will be delighted. B.G. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2016]