Red Cat

Gould’s precise diction, which proved to be surprisingly effective in his narration of Raymond Chandler’s works, is just as satisfying in interpreting Spiegelman’s new John March novel. And why not? Spiegelman has come closer to channeling Chandler than just about any other private eye writer in recent memory. March has a mindset and honor system remarkably similar to Chandler’s Philip Marlowe. These are sleuths who use their brains along with their muscles, and Gould’s careful enunciation reflects that. Through March’s first-person narration, we walk the cold, sleet-slippery mean streets looking into the murder of a beautiful and promiscuous young woman. Gould creates an impressive lineup of characters: dumbing down his voice to become a lovesick bruiser, catching the hollow bravado of an actor in midlife crisis or adding a touch of East Coast snobbery to an assortment of quiet money types. Red Cat is a solid, stylishly written crime yarn, and Gould’s interpretation turns it into a near-classic. Simultaneous release with the Knopf hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 6). (Mar.)