THE BLUE MOUNTAIN

A group of Russian Jewish idealists settles in and develops a town in the Jezreel Valley of Palestine at the turn of the century. Their histories are recounted in a rambling style back and forth throughout seventy years. Without any introduction to the episode, the listener does not know which time frame the section is in. George Guidall tells the story joylessly; his overall tone is mournful. Rather than telling tales, he relates a series of catastrophes. His characters' voices fuse with each other. His major implement of destruction is the PAUSE, which he uses indiscriminately between chapters, between phrases, and between words. His melancholy tone misses any levity the author may have intended. J.P. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: NOV 92]