Selected Shorts: A Touch of Magic

In this latest collection from Symphony Space, there are, oddly enough, no magicians, but the art of illusion is broadly represented. Jacobs's “The Monkey's Paw,” performed to perfection by John Lithgow, represents the overworked gift of three wishes that the wise decline. Bradbury's “The Veld,” read with wit and perfect timing by Stephen Colbert, centers on an African-themed nursery that comes menacingly to life. Some of the stories are light and funny, including Safran Foer's “The Sixth Borough,” read by Jerry Zaks, in which an original sixth borough of New York City breaks away. Like many anthologies, the selections are uneven: Brockmeier's “The Year of Silence” seems no longer than its title. However, through the magic of the fast forward button, listeners can enjoy the vast majority of excellent stories while skipping the rest. (July)