THE FOURTH HAND
John Irving, , read by Jason Culp. . Random Audio Books, $39.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-375-41895-2
As the world watches, handsome TV journalist Patrick Wallingford, who is obsessed with minutely described one-night stands, has his hand eaten by a lion at the Gnesh Circus. (The gnesh is an Indian symbol of new beginnings). Viewer Doris and her husband Otto are obsessed with the Green Bay Packers and with having a child. Doris cajoles Otto into willing his left hand to Patrick and—surprise!—Otto soon (accidentally?) kills himself. Famous hand surgeon Nicholas Zajak is, for his part, obsessed with dog feces—also described in endless detail—which he scoops up with his old lacrosse stick and hurls at rowers on the Charles River. Zajak attaches Otto's hand to Patrick, and Doris demands visitation rights with Otto's hand, as well as with Patrick's child-producing equipment. Though their motivations remain unclear, all three characters are redeemed by their newfound obsessions with winning the love of their sons. Culp's clear, pleasant, middle-range reading voice, appropriately ironic tone and fun, exaggerated Boston accents are easy on the ears
Reviewed on: 09/03/2001
Genre: Audio
Compact Disc - 978-0-375-41911-9
Hardcover - 326 pages - 978-0-7475-5432-5
Hardcover - 431 pages - 978-0-375-43121-0
Hardcover - 336 pages - 978-0-375-50627-7
Hardcover - 336 pages - 978-0-676-97392-1
Mass Market Paperbound - 368 pages - 978-0-345-46315-9
Mass Market Paperbound - 352 pages - 978-0-7704-2942-3
Other - 978-0-307-36649-8
Paperback - 352 pages - 978-0-345-44934-4
Paperback - 384 pages - 978-0-552-77109-2
Paperback - 345 pages - 978-84-8310-905-2
Paperback - 352 pages - 978-0-676-97393-8
