THE JAMES THURBER AUDIO COLLECTION

In analyzing humorist James Thurber's writing as "clean, economical, vivid, full of crashes and thuds," Keith Olbermann unwittingly describes his own style as a narrator. He employs a rapid-fire, forceful tone that quickly grabs his listeners and carries them on a romp through these rollicking classics. Olbermann's ability to modulate tone and tempo to convincingly portray Thurber's colorful characters displays considerable acting talent and delivers the humor in these timeless tales. His clear voice with its hint of a barely repressed chuckle effectively brings the listener in on the jokes. The entire collection is enjoyable, but the presentation of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is a standout. Olbermann successfully realizes his desire to create a work to honor both his own father and James Thurber. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2011]