THE INVISIBLE MAN

In 1897, H. G. Wells published this "scientific romance," as he called it, in which a megalomaniacal young researcher discovers the secret of invisibility with which he mystifies and terrorizes a sleepy Sussex village. Immediately popular, the novel became a hit film in 1933. New Millennium's smooth abridgment shows off the qualities that make Wells so readable--his ability to make believable the wildest pseudo-science, his deft handling of action and suspense, and his sense of humor. Always excellent, Ed Herrmann outdoes himself, flawlessly serving all this up for listeners. He hits every beat, every nuance of his text, adding a bit more personality to the characters than did Wells. Here we have his wonted sensitivity to mood, atmosphere, and authorial voice; his comic sense; plus a facility with accents that he rarely gets a chance to display. Further, Herrmann knows the difference between acting and reading aloud, and only draws upon the former when it can aptly serve the latter. Indeed, THE INVISIBLE MAN is one of the three most enjoyable audiobooks this reviewer has ever had the pleasure of listening to. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]