DUBLINERS

Cold is the heart that can resist a warm Irish accent like Gerard Doyle’s, especially when that voice is offering splendid material like this Joyce classic. Each short story is a small jewel that reflects the desires and flaws of humanity, and Doyle treats each moment with the subtlety it requires. Heartbreaking epiphanies abound, and Doyle artfully walks the vocal line between empathy and cool efficiency with his performance. He wisely takes his time with his pacing, giving each word a solid, thoughtful delivery before moving on to the next. DUBLINERS culminates with “The Dead,” a complex, thought-provoking story of love and loss that Doyle offers up as gently as a gift. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2011]