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The world has changed dramatically since the events of September 11, 2001. People’s fears were amplified causing every day people to become the victim of a witch-hunt. If you were suspected of being of Middle-Eastern descent, people automatically assumed that you were a terrorist. Many people were wrongfully accused and their families suffered because of the fears of other people. It is an ugly thought to think that this would be an isolated incident, but it is not. During the 1950’s there was McCarthyism and the U.S. House of Un-American Activities ruined the lives of many just because they were suspected of being communists. Many people were unjustly accused and tainted for life because a few people were given too much power. Author Sara Paretsky revisits this ugly time in history with the present and shows the damaging effects it has taken in society. If we do not learn from history, we will be doomed to repeat it. In BLACK LIST, series regular, Chicago private investigator, V.I. Warshawski is probing the mysterious death of Marcus Whitby, an influential writer for an African-American magazine. He was researching the life of Kylie Ballantine, an African-American dancer from the fifties who was blacklisted by liberal Olin Taverner and had her career as a writer and a performer ruined. Apparently the reporter was on to something, but before he could do anything about it, he is found dead in a pond by V.I. herself. During the course of her investigation, she will uncover some ugly truths regarding Ms. Ballantine’s treatment during the HUAC hearings and how an influential family might be responsible for what happened to her as well as to the reporter. In another side plot, the author will parallel the story with one of a teenage Egyptian boy suspected of being a terrorist. It is scary how these two stories seem alike when one feeds on one’s fears. Paretsky does not make any apologies regarding the behavior of some of the characters in her novel; however, she does paint a troubling picture of the turbulent times now and then. Hopefully, it will wake up people and give them time to reflect before they act. Who knows how many lives could have been saved. Sandra Burr is the narrator and performer in the unabridged audio recording of Paretsky’s latest work. She does a superb job in her acting by not missing any of the details within the story. Early in the book, V.I. Warshawsk becomes sick with a head cold and has trouble speaking. This does not stop Sandra Burr in performing these scenes like she had a frog in her throat the day of the recording. When Warshawski is thinking in her head, she sounds perfectly normal, but when she speaks, that’s another story. Burr’s portrayal of naïve teenagers and elderly snoops is also magnificent and she ought to be commended. This is definitely one of the best audio performances out there and it is highly recommended. Do not miss it.
Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, October 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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