Current listening
Whenever I reach the end of a particularly enjoyable book or series, I embark on another with some trepidation. The books may be brilliantly conceived and plotted but if the narrator’s voice seems inappropriate for some reason, or even none (it’s very subjective) the listening experience will be ruined.
The narrators of the ‘Marcus Didius Falco’ series by Lindsey Davis were Christian Rodska, Gordon Griffin, Richard Mitchley, and Jamie Glover. The two I preferred, who had completely dissimilar voices, were Rodska and Griffin.
I am now listening to the DS Cross series by Tim Sullivan, narrated mainly by Finlay Robertson. Detective Sergeant George Cross is a detective based in Bristol with the Somerset and Avon police. He has an enviably successful record in solving crimes, and the highest conviction rate in the force. For those reasons his many idiosyncrasies are forgiven, if not overlooked.
He dislikes crowds and noise, finds speaking to a room full of people unnerving, and his social skills are sadly lacking. George Cross is neurodivergent, (‘on the spectrum’) and speaks his mind, without filters. He is dogged in his pursuit of the truth, revising the facts of a case until he is satisfied that he has found the answer to the riddle.
He is aided by his colleague, DS Josie Ottey, who softens his approach with her more empathetic manner.
There are some laugh aloud moments in the books and a certain poignancy
to the stories.
I've only listened to a couple of audio books, and one, set locally, had the absolutely most brilliant narrators. A good narrator is so important.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. I should get back to listening to books. I always enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteA narrator can make a lot of difference. See how Tom Hanks narration lifted The Dutch House from okay when read in print, to brilliant when heard acted well.
ReplyDeleteI seldom listen to audio books. I prefer the written word. But I can readily agree that the skill of the narrator makes all the difference in audio books.
ReplyDeleteI read books with the correct accent (mine) and images in my own mind. Audio books and tapes in my car radio take the reader's power away.
ReplyDeleteBut in old age, my eye left eye is very weak and my right eye is slightly dodgy. So narrators may be my best friends in a few years.