MAGIC TERROR

Actor Ron McLarty presents Straub's horrific tales in a straightforward, almost nonchalant, manner. He drops his voice and slows the pace of his reading to good effect in reading tales about the results of child abuse and wife beating, as well as ghoulish Halloween encounters. Whether listeners find the tales perverted or fascinating, McLarty's deadpan style adds drama and reality to short stories about ghosts in Vietnam ("The Ghost Village"), jazz musicians ("Porkpie Hat"), and a Cinderella-type tale ("Ashputtle"). The occasional unexpected humor, or black comedy, especially in "Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff," takes listeners, but not Mclarty, by surprise. Enjoy this trip into the bizarre and the unknown. S.C.A. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 01]