KAPPA

Wallace Shawn's performance is spirited, hilarious, and dark--typically all at once. His rousing voice captures the multiple dystopian themes in this new production of the classic Japanese novella. A psychiatric patient describes his time in "Kappa Land," which is populated by mysterious spirits who are known for their menacing presence. Akutagawa deftly weaves in the topic of suicide and its implications--and later dies by suicide himself. Yet, this listening experience is a consistent pleasure. Given its short running time, Shawn's dynamic performance is akin to a one-man stage play. His ability to embody so much feeling puts this audiobook in a class by itself. S.P.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2024]