Cane

A male narrator may seem an odd choice for this rhythmic story with a vivid female protagonist. However, Sean Crisden ably captures the poetry in Jean Toomer's writing. His gentle, cadenced delivery lulls one into listening. The prose may remind one of the style and thematic interests of Toni Morrison, and the dreamlike quality of the narrative is enhanced in audio form. The rich description of scenery, dialogue, and characters are woven with an undercurrent of often violent race relations. For fans of literary fiction, this outstanding audiobook demonstrates how the five senses can come alive when one is being read a story. M.R. (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

Narrators Bahni Turpin, Mirron Willis, and Lisa Rene� Pitts work together to create a vocal chorus that is equal to these vivid short stories written by one of the luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance. Listeners will be grateful for this talented cast, who capture the diverse characters in these narratives. From young women forced by necessity into prostitution and then childbirth to white employers who become intertwined in the lives of their help, the characters in this powerful collection still resonate. Willis lends his baritone to the judging, gossipy townspeople who feature prominently in many of the stories. Turpin and Pitts are as capable as ever in these female-centric works, which provide a sensory experience of African-American lives in the 1920s. M.R. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine