KING OF THE DOGS, QUEEN OF THE CATS

Narrator Stefan Rudnicki makes quick work of this novella filled with dogs and cats and humans and clones and lots of political intrigue. On the planet Boon, a ringmaster is planning to put on a circus populated mostly with "uplifted" dogs and cats--uplifted meaning having "equivalent rights" but not equal rights. Therein lies the rub. Rudnicki is skillful in building the personas of the characters and portraying the dynamics between them. He keeps the tale, which can be viewed as a parable for more than one political circumstance, from getting too heavy or preachy. His serious voice and manner lend gravitas to his performance, but he finds opportunities for playfulness, too. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2020]