THE PRIZE

A writer travels to Sweden to accept the Nobel Prize. Gavin Bruce narrates Wallace's novel with a soft-spoken voice that's a bit gentler than listeners might expect, but it gets the job done. Bruce lacks the dynamism that would help listeners through Wallace's focus on the politics and literary discussion that surround the Nobel. Although bouts of steamy lovemaking interrupt the high-minded talk, Bruce's performance kicks into high gear only in the novel's last few hours, with a shocking revelation and the writer's race to save the woman he loves. Listeners interested in the Nobel will enjoy this, but others may find it dull. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2013]