BY: JONATHAN LOWE

Several years ago, when I interviewed actor Richard Poe, he told me about the novel INDEPENDENCE DAY, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Richard Ford that he once narrated. Only recently have I gotten around to hearing it, and I have to say, I was bowled over like a final pin for a final spare. Not just by the story of Frank Bascombe, a self absorbed part time real estate agent trying to connect with his son, but by how well Poe's own acting talents and voice meld into creating that character. This is such a rich and deeply realized book that I hereby ascribe the words "Great American Novel" to it without more than a wink's hesitation. The bonus of hearing it read by Poe, a longtime Broadway and feature film actor, makes it a keeper. Poe becomes Bascombe as naturally as Will Patton becomes Dave Robicheaux. Published in 1995, the novel is a 1998 Recorded Books title, still available on CD. Also winner of the PEN/Faulkner award, it's a must-hear for anyone buying or selling a house, too, since it wryly delves into the real reasons behind various purchases. And no, it's not just about price and location. (Recorded Books; 20 hours unabridged)

JONATHAN LOWE is a novelist and audio book reviewer living in Tucson. A longtime judge in the Audie Awards, he has won writing awards from Audiofile, the SC Arts Commission, and Writer's Digest. Audio of his novels The Awakening Storm and Fame Island are available for download at Blackstone Audiobooks.