The Sunset Limited

A college professor attempting "suicide by subway" is rescued by a black man from the projects, who takes him home to discuss the value of life. With short narrative passages by Tom Stechschulte, the "novel in dramatic form" is performed by Austin Pendleton and Ezra Knight, as the professor and his guardian angel. Each engages fully in his character to the point that the listener feels empathy for the professor as he endures his rescuer's relentless badgering and sadness for the angel as he struggles to find any way to save the professor's soul. Stechschulte delivers the narrative passages with sadness, along with an almost clinical detachment. The gripping story and performance leave the listener wanting more. R.L.L. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

January 1, 2011

National Book Award/Pulitzer Prize winner McCarthy's (www.cormacmccarthy.com) 2006 play is, as per this book's subtitle. When college professor White attempts to jump in the path of an oncoming train, he instead lands into the arms of Black, an ex-con redeemed by Christianity who takes White back to his apartment to talk him out of his existential despair. Black gets most of the best lines here, talking rings around White and managing to prolong his stay through various tactics. Ezra Knight and Austin Pendleton voice Black and White, respectively, ably filling their roles. By limiting himself to dialog, McCarthy provides a more frank explication of his bleak philosophy than in his novels. Every collection should at least consider this.--John Hiett, Iowa City P.L.

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