PUTIN

In a deep, resonant voice, Jonathan Keeble gives a splendid narration of this long and well-researched biography of Vladimir Putin. While not depicting the Russian leader as "Putler," as some have called him, the author presents Putin as a very dangerous man. This is certainly the prevailing view of him in the West and especially the Anglosphere. Still, many of my Russian émigré friends are big Putin admirers, and this may give them pause. Keeble, while giving a British pronunciation to some Russian words, is still quite splendid. His pacing is perfect, and his resonant voice gives a serious tone to this most serious of biographies. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2022]