RSS 2.0 FeedAugust 2011, Featured Articles, Short Stories
*The Empty Family by Colm Toibin
[Narrator] Alma Cuervo is outstanding. She has a very appealing, suitably imperious voice for the elderly Frances Rossiter, a famous set designer, who is remembering and relating her one true love affair in the story “Two Women
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The Aspern Papers by Henry James
Robin Field gives us a cold and almost prissy protagonist, capable of hero worship in the abstraction while lacking the capacity for human love.
The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge
Jim Bond’s narration is exceptional. He is able to convey the unusual speech cadence of a brain-damaged woman who is still somewhat infantile without sounding either ridiculous or demeaning. His narrative enhancements are subtle and just right
Letting Go by Philip Roth
Gabe can't commit; Martha can, but not to what's good for her; Libby can't conceive; Paul can't leave Libby. All are victims of their times, their class, their faith, their gender, their upbringing and their unique personal limitations.
A Secret Gift by Ted Gup
Mark Deakins, a film writer, director and producer, does a fine narration of this personal account, and one forgets that it is not the author himself who is speaking.”
Oil on Water by Helon Habila
... narrator Richard Allen’s rich deep voice adds gravitas to the story.
Swim Back to Me by Ann Packer
Ann Packer’s Swim Back to Me contains six stories, two of which are openly linked, the rest linked by Packer’s distinctive narrative voice: man or woman, young or old, her narrators tend to be a little timid, either by nature or by circumstance, and are generally led by a more charismatic, exuberant force into action, usually to their consternation.
Once Upon a Time there Was You by Elizabeth Berg
Film, stage and television actress and audiobook producer Gabrielle De Cuir’s reading is excellent. She expresses Sadie’s youthful exasperation with her parents, her fear of her situation and her ultimate reconciliation with her parents
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide by Ntoszke Shange
Here [narrator Thandie Newton] delivers a passionate and emotional performance of the poetry, whose intense and lyrical language is beautiful.
*How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn
This classic story (made into an Oscar winning film in 1941) of Huw Morgan's life, growing up in a coal-mining community in South Wales, is so compelling, especially with Ralph Cosham’s narration, that it is difficult to believe that it is pure fiction and not a memoir.
The Left Handed Dollar by Loren D. Estleman
Detroit private eye Amos Walker has been hired by attorney Lucille Lettermore to investigate Joey Ballista's first conviction for attempted murder.
Moby-Duck by Donovan Hohn
Christopher Evan Welch’s narration of his challenging, sometimes dangerous, nautical pursuit of the rubber duckies and of the scientific studies being funded by various research organizations on what lies ahead for the world’s seas is fine.
*Exit the Actress by Priya Parmar
Charlotte Parry is an accomplished reader, and her vocalization of Ellen adds to the lightness of Exit the Actress: young Ellen sounds naïve and sweet, while the Ellen of some eight years later sounds much more world-weary.
*Wicked Bugs by Amy Stewart
Wicked Bugs is beautifully narrated by Coleen Marlo who does a full-voiced reading with great intonation and nuance as she describes the bug attacks, their impact on history and their continued attacks today as in the case of the recent rash of bed bugs in American cities.
The Producer John Hammond and the Soul of American Music by Dunstan Prial
A feast for music lovers and a meticulous biography, this production has the sober ring of authority while being completely entertaining.
The Floor of Heaven by Howard Blum
Narrator John H. Mayer does a great job with the single-voice narration of this lengthy history.
The Tragedy of Arthur by Arthur Phillips
David Aaron Baker hits the mark with his narration of The Tragedy of Arthur—he is self-deprecating and a little bashful just like our conflicted protagonist, and his gruff, gritty narration as Arthur’s aging, retired convict father is heart-wrenchingly real.
*Mind's Eye/*Borkmann's Point/*The Return by Hakan Nesser
Swedish crime writers are experiencing a wave of interest since the success of Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy and Hakan Nesser's Detective Chief Inspector Van Veeteren mysteries are a welcome addition to the genre.
*Bossypants by Tina Fey
Tina Fey’s Bossypants is part memoir, part biographical and all funny
The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy
Author Cate Kennedy’s love for the beauty and culture of her adopted country Australia is apparent in this novel.
*The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
... this book is a riveting and important work of history and sociology, emphasizing an era which should never be forgotten. Narrator Robin Miles is perfect.
Djibouti by Elmore Leonard
The deadly serious ideas and events in this novel – murder, mayhem, and political upheaval - are all treated with irony and humor in Leonard’s usual style.
*Prophecy by S.J. Parris
British actor, playwright, and award-winning audiobook narrator John Lee is known for his deep voice, crisp enunciation, and accents. In Prophecy he gets to do Bruno's Italian, as well as French, Spanish, Scots, and various English characters. Lee's presentation and Merritt's writing are both highly recommended
The Jungle by Clive Cussler and Jack DuBrul
Jason Culp for the most part is an even toned narrator who manages the pacing of the tale professionally and is fine with the narrative part.... Cussler is his usual self with lots of plot and lots of action
Buddha Standard Time by Lama Surya Das
[Lama Surya Das] strips Tibetan Buddhism of its many esoteric, phantasmagorical trappings to reveal its gem of practical psychology – that much is to be gained from simply slowing down and paying attention, very close, loving attention to each moment
*Drawing Conclusions by Donna Leon
Experienced actor and director, David Colacci seems to be another American with a zest for Italy: his pronunciation of Venetian place names and characters, as well as his voicing of the occasional Italian word or phrase sound wholly authentic.
*King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard
This classic is narrated by Stefan Rudnicki.... If he were an Olympic athlete, he would win gold.
Death of a Chimney Sweep by M.C, Beaton
[Narrator] Malcolm has a wonderful facility for both spot-on characterizations and for conveying the many humorous moments that are always present in this series
13, Rue Therese by Elena Mauli Shapiro
History, reality and the paranormal blend in the story and the ending is hard to fathom, but the author deliciously pulls it all together.
*A Red Herring without Mustard by Alan Bradley
Narrator Jayne Entwistle, a Los Angeles based actor, is superb as she inhabits the various quirky characters, from wealthy landowners to ordinary villagers, in this witty and lighthearted tale.