The Grasshopper Trap

This humor anthology features both childhood reminiscences, such as the title story, and outdoorsman anecdotes on such topics as the author's running battles with tents and how to build a gun collection without letting your wife know about it. The childhood stories are most memorable, particularly one called "Stone Soup," about McManus's encounter with hoboes while briefly running away from home. Norman Dietz gives McManus's essays the air of a friend telling of a favorite experience, with some exaggeration. Especially enjoyable are his voices of birds as McManus tells of his misadventures with hummingbirds, chickens, and crows. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

The audio format is the perfect medium for these colorful escapades of McManus, as a boy and an adult. If only all tales of the outdoors and the trials of growing up could be so hilarious. and told with such delight by an uncle or family storyteller. George Irving takes on each of the unforgettable characters with great energy, including McManus's wife, Bun, and childhood acquaintances Rancid Crabtree and Rupert Scraggs A judicious use of accent and characterization strikes a balance which brings each story alive but doesn't overplay it: a rare treat which will keep whole family listeningand laughing. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine