THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS

Cooper's Leatherstocking Tale, set amid the French and Indian War, is a classic filled with dense, lyrical language that makes for difficult reading. Robertson Dean's presentation breathes life into Cooper's adventure as he recounts how the scout Hawkeye, along with his Mohican cohorts Cingachgook and Uncas, repeatedly rescue a British party of two young women and their escorts from the " raving savages." Hawkeye's ironic turn of phrase is well executed by Dean, who also relishes the dramatic chapter-opening quotations from Shakespeare. The lilt Dean creates for the religious musician David Gamut is an added enhancement. Some listeners may be startled by the graphic violence and Natty Bumpo's disdain for the hostile native tribes? outside of the noble Mohicans? but the portrait of the unspoiled wilderness is timeless. D.P.D. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]