The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams

Rating: 3


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The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Author: Douglas Adams

Reader: Martin Freeman

Short Review: A decent reading of a book I love, which suffers by comparison to the Stephen Frye reading of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Long Review: I love this series, as I mentioned in my review of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I think Martin Feeman is a pretty good reader, but Stephen Frye is such a great reader that I can’t but prefer his casting.

Freeman does one particular thing as a narrator that drives me mad. He reads Zaphod Beeblebrox as a stereotypical Jewish New Yorker. That, in and of itself, would annoy me. His accent is atrocious, though, so it also seems insulting. British folks love to make fun of Americans because we’re so terrible at mimicking their accents. Well you know what? The vast majority of Brits are just as bad at mimicking us, and this is a particularly galling example.

Apart from that, it’s a pretty good rendition. But Zaphod is a huge part of these books, so reading his role poorly really harms the whole audio book.

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By Lanea on March 5, 2008 |Comments (1) |
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The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Rating: 4.5


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The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Author: Douglas Adams

Reader: Stephen Fry

Short Review: A great reading of one of my favorite goofy novels.

Long Review: Like many people, I learned about Douglas Adams’ series when I was a kid, read it, laughed myself silly, read it again, laughed myself silly, saw the TV series on PBS, was terribly frustrated by its failings (go ahead and stone me as a heretic), read the books again, saw the film, found it disappointing, and read the books again.

So I was a bit worried about the audio books. Previous attempts to shove this brilliant, silly stuff of my childhood into other media had not gone so well, in my eyes. But Stephen Fry’s participation convinced me to at least check it out. As the voice of the Guide, Fry was the highpoint of the film for me. I think he was the perfect choice for the reader: he has that excellent, tony prep school diction required for the Guide itself, but also a lot of vocal range, and a good dose of nerdy silliness, which is required.

Fry doesn’t disappoint. He has great comic timing (as well he should), good diction, reads the Guide sections clearly and convincingly, and seems to match the goofy voices for characters like the ship’s computer Eddie and Marvin quite effectively to what my brain wants. Nice trick, Fry.

This is one of those audio books I’ll listen to again when I need something light and fun.

By Lanea on February 19, 2008 |Comments (2) |
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The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

Rating: 3.5

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The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus

Author: Margaret Atwood

Reader: Laural Merlington

Short Review: Margaret Atwood’s retelling of a portion of The Odyssey in Penelope’s voice, her contribution to the Canongate Myth Series, read by Laurel Merlington.

Long Review: I am a mythology nut. A buff. A, well, obsessive kook. I know this. I’m fine with this. And when I learned that I had missed the bus–that this series of books was underway and that it kicked off without me–I felt like I had caught someone kicking my dog.

Atwood, of course, retells Penelope’s story with a wonderful feminist twist. Atwood’s Penelope stands up for the maids, and criticizes her wayward husband and disingenuous suitors. She argues that her supposed beauty has long since faded, and that all of the men in the story are arguing over her for entirely unromantic reasons.

Laurel Merlington’s narration is engaging, sharp, and humorous. Her method of voicing the chorus is a bit shrill at times, but that seems fitting considering the messages they carry.

This was a good listen–I burned through it in an afternoon of puttering around my studio, and immediately missed my Ancient Greek companions. I look forward to listening to more audio books from the Canongate Myth Series.

By Lanea on February 12, 2008 |Comments (1) |
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The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

Rating: 4.5

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His Dark Materials, Book Three: The Amber Spyglass

Author: Philip Pullman

Reader: Philip Pullman and a full cast

Short Review: The third and final book in a wonderful trilogy, well-read by the author and a full cast.

Long Review: If you didn’t enjoy the first and second book in the trilogy, you’re not likely to listen to this one. I, of course, love the series. This book is probably my least favorite of the three, because I don’t want the story to end, but also because I think it has a few problematic aspects.

Firstly–I just don’t buy the Mulefa’s development. Yeah yeah, it’s a fantasy, and we’re supposed to open our minds to different scientific possibilities. But I’ve never seen evolution work that way, so it rankles.
Second–I don’t think Lyra’s parents can magically become loving.
Thirdly–The trip to, well, the sacrifice/betrayal Will and Lyra have to make is crushing, of course, but also lasts too long. It’s hard to discuss without ruining several plot points, so I’ll leave it at that.

Apart from that, I love the book. I think Mary Malone is a fantastic character. Every child deserves such a surrogate, or auntie, or Mom. Maybe two would be better. I love hearing the development of Will and Lyra’s relationship. I love their selflessness. I wish all of the best for them, throughout. Just listen, and try not to be as bratty as I am as you do, and you’ll love it.

By Lanea on February 12, 2008 |Comments (0) |
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The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

Rating: 5

Curse of ChalionThe Curse of Chalion

Author: Lois McMaster Bujold
Reader: Lloyd James

Short Review: Amazing storyteller + multiple fabulous characters + a rollicking fantasy adventure + the perfect voice to pull it all together = one darn good fantasy audio book experience.

Long Review: Bujold is one of my favorite authors. I originally found her through her popular Vorkosigan Saga Series. This book was her first venture into fantasy after years and years of Sci-Fi. The story revolves around a smart, crusty, middle aged man with lots of aches and pains. We find Cazaril walking by the side of the road - dressed nearly in rags. Passing soldiers toss him a coin - not knowing his true identity. Bujold pulls us in and carries us along as Cazaril discovers the new path that awaits him in a life he considers almost worth ending.

One of the reasons I like her books so much is that her characters ring true. I actually care what happens to them. They have flaws. They get angry. Sometimes their clothing is too tight or the food is too rich - and you are right there with them experiencing their world.

Lloyd James hits the perfect note with his reading. He adds another layer of texture to the story, pulling you in deep. You get a fair warning that this is one of those books that makes you want to keep listening. I admit to having sat in my car after arriving at my destination “to reach a good stopping point” in the story.

The Curse of Chalion is also available through the Simply Audiobooks Rental Program.

By Jeanne on February 6, 2008 |Comments (0) |
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The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

Rating: 5

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His Dark Materials, Book Two: The Subtle Knife

Author: Philip Pullman

Reader: Philip Pullman and a full cast

Short Review: Like The Golden Compass, this is a wonderful adventure told by a surprisingly-talented author-narrator and a full cast. The book is a bit less fantastic, in a sense, because some of it is set in our world, but no less enjoyable.

Long Review: As with the first book, I absolutely loved Pullman’s narration. I like to think that all talented writers are also talented story tellers, in the most literal sense. Sadly, it’s not so. Pullman clearly knows how to read aloud, though, and his pacing, diction, and performance are wonderful.

This story, because it is partially set in our world, has less of the comfort of the first book. Lyra has to travel without the help of Iorek and the Gyptians, she has lost any sort of parental support, and she knows how terrible the world(s) can be. All of the novels in the trilogy are dark, of course, but this book focuses on Lyra’s growing independence and responsibility. It also introduces Will, Lyra’s partner for the rest of the series. Where Lyra is boisterous and impetuous, Will is reserved and calculating. He is the first of the children we encounter in the story with a strong sense of adult responsibility, and that automatically changes the tone of the novel.

I’m reticent to say anything more, really, because I view the three books as part of a whole, and because I’d hate to ruin the story for anyone who hasn’t read or heard it. Suffice it to say I love these books and think you should listen to them. ‘Nuff said.

By Lanea on February 1, 2008 |Comments (0) |
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The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Rating: 5


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His Dark Materials, Book I: The Golden Compass

Author: Philip Pullman
Reader: Philip Pullman and a full cast

Short Review: A fantastic tale of adventure, rebellion, childhood, growth, and bears told by a surprisingly-talented author-narrator and a full cast.

Long Review: I’m a big fan of this book and the others in the trilogy, so I was excited to listen to it. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Pullman is a great reader–I think his narration in the audio book compares to the reading of greats like Derek Jacobi and Campbell Scott. I also liked the majority of the other voices in the full cast, only hearing a false note now and again. If I had to complain about anything, it’s that, for whatever reason, the default for female voices in the audiobook is “breathy.” My brain hears “breathy” as “weak” most of the time. I wanted the breathy women reading in this book to be more forceful throughout.

I think adolescent fiction and fantasy are both particularly well-suited to the audio book format. Stories like this beg to be told aloud, because the characters are so engaging and the plot flows from beginning to end, rather than backtracking or spending a lot of time on introspection or exposition, which is generally harder to pay close attention to while listening.

I guess this is my favorite book in the trilogy, because it’s the opening, and because the concepts of daemons and panzerbjorn are both so intriguing to me. That said, the three belong together. Each has its failings. And, of course, its strident critics and supporters. I’d encourage folks unfamiliar with the story to ignore all the hype (if it’s not too late) and just listen as a child would. This is an audiobook, and a series, I will listen to again.

By Lanea on January 25, 2008 |Comments (1) |
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The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

Rating: 3.5

Author: James Fenimore Cooper
Read by: Robertson Dean

Short Review: A beautifully-read version of a book I don’t actually like very much.

Long Review: Robertson Dean has a fantastic voice, and he portrays the different characters distinctly. I’d rather listen to the book than read it on paper. Having listened to the book, I’ll go out of my way to find more books narrated by Dean.

There are certainly some things about the story I like, but I’ve always found Cooper tiresome. I would strangle Natty Bumppo if I had to travel with him. Prattle prattle condescend prattle. Uncas, Chingachgook, and Cora strike me as the real heroes of the story. Cooper rambles far too much. He needed an editor. It could have been a great book had he had a good editor.

Go ahead, stone me to death.

By Lanea on January 14, 2008 |Comments (2) |
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Fragile Things: Stories Fictions and Wonders by Neil Gaiman

Rating: 4.5

Fragile ThingsFragile Things: Stories
Author: Neil Gaiman
Read by: Neil Gaiman

Short Review: An assortment of magical trips into assorted Gaiman worlds in the form of short stories and poem, all narrated by the gentle cadences of the authors voice.

Long Review: There are some authors who are not meant to read their own work. Neil Gaiman is definitively NOT one of those authors. I don’t recall which audio book of his included his description of the first time he did a reading of his own work - but it described how it was this amazing revelation for him. It just had never occurred that he might both be good at reading aloud and enjoy it.

Fragile Things is a delightful collection of short stories and poems. It also includes a lengthy introduction that explains the background to each story. I am one of those people who loves knowing the history of every story (or song or poem) that enters my life. I like to learn about the creative process. If you are like me in this, then you will love the introduction. If you want to skip straight to the stories - you can always just skip the intro.

As I find is often the case with short story collections, some of the stories spoke to me more than others. I think my favorite is ‘How to Talk to Girls At Parties’ which was nominated for the 2007 Hugo Award. Lucky for you the audio of this single story is posted on Mr. Gaiman’s website. If you have half hour to spare I recommend you listen to it right now!

Overall I really enjoyed this collection. My only slight frustration was hearing the introductions to ALL the stories at the start with no easy way to ‘flip back’ to scan them before I listened to each new story or poem as I might with the paper copy. But this is a very minor issue in comparison with the grand assortment of fanciful, otherworldly and (in some cases) disconcerting stories and poems provided for your listening pleasure.

By Jeanne on January 11, 2008 |Comments (0) |
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Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

Rating: 3.5

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Housekeeping: A Novel

Author: Marilynne Robinson

Read by: Becket Royce

Short Review: Robinson’s prize-winning, gorgeous, intricate novel about women and the fragility of family, and of sanity, and the need to create and maintain a sense of home, no matter what happens. It is read well, if not perfectly, by Beckett Royce.

Long Review: I love this novel. I’m not the only one–it was nominated for a Pulitzer and won the PEN/Hemingway Award when it was published in 1980. Robinson is immensely talented, and the characters she creates are intricate and engaging and often surprising. My heart ached for Ruthie and Lucille and Sylvie, and their shattered family in their cruel town. Robinson writes with an intricacy and specificity that I find breath-taking. I love the book on paper, so was interested to hear it as an audio book.

Beckett Royce has a good voice, and is a clear reader. But she had a vocal habit that grated on me. There is a way some people pause when they speak that they probably intend as a display of earnestness, but to my ear sounds false. Royce used it a lot as she read. And since she is essentially playing Ruthie as the reader for this book, it bothered me because Ruthie is reticent and not one to play at earnestness. Maybe I just love the book too much to hear it in someone else’s voice, rather than in the voice I imagine for Ruthie.

That said, I think books like this one–books that follow a single, engaging narrator, are some of the best candidates to become audio books. Maybe I’m,the only one who will find fault with Royce’s performance. I’d certainly be interested to hear other people’s reaction to her reading.

By Lanea on January 10, 2008 |Comments (0) |
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