All Is Forgotten, Nothing Is Lost

Despite a fine performance by Ramon De Ocampo, Chang's novel makes a poor transition to audio. When Roman and Bernard, two poetry students at a prestigious writing school, vie for the approval of their renowned professor, Miranda Sturgis, they find their friendship sorely tested. De Ocampo's narration is crisp, nimble, and well paced; his voices are appropriate and varied—the Southern drawl he gives Roman's grandmother is a treat, and his rendition of a drunken Roman is a splash of welcome humor in this otherwise serious story. Despite Ocampo's best efforts, however, the listener's attention and patience will peter out; Chang's characters invite little sympathy or investment. A Norton hardcover (Reviews, July 26). (Sept.)