I'm now onto Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy read by Richard Poe. This is a violent literary western tale. I like Poe's voice for the narration - grizzled, old, and that sort of old-time-American-western-man sounding - and he does different characters' voices well, but I kind of detest the voice he uses for the main character, The Kid. He uses a sort of snivelling, nasally, uncertain, higher-pitched, whining voice to indicate the youngness of the character, and while the voice is distinct and realistic enough, it's not a voice I really want to listen to for a main character for many hours of an audiobook, and from the description of the character so far, nothing has been said of his voice needing to be anything like that. So that irks, but otherwise, I'm enjoying it.
Finished up Sea of Poppies. There are two versions of this audiobook. I had almost chosen the one narrated by Kish Sharma, which sounded a more authentic narrator, but I'd went with Phil Gigante instead because of the variety of accents he uses. His narration speech was a sort of monotone yet emphatic flat American, reminiscent of the 'movie trailer narrator man' or Moviefone man voice if any of you know what I mean. But what sold me on listening to his version was that he uses many, many accents and distinct voices for the characters, and there are a
lot of very different characters and voices in this book.
The Indian, Chinese and other Asian accents he used, I couldn't tell how well or authentic they were. They were all distinct enough. Some did sound bordering on caricature but otherwise I thought they sounded fine to my western ear, though I saw someone complaining about them on Audible. His half-French accent sounded fine enough to me. The main American character, Zachary, who is partially black, I thought sounded overdone. It was distinct enough, but it was too 'aw shucks' enthusiastic American and too 'this is a black voice', especially for a character who is passing for white. The various British accents were a bit funny to me. Especially, he gives one of the major characters in the second half of the book, Mr. Crowle, a strong Scottish accent though I don't think he was ever referred to as Scottish and instead I think I'd heard him mentioned as English. The voice didn't even sound just northern English, it was very Scottish. But what was really funny to me is that this Scottish accent would slip through in other characters' accents at times, not only the various English accents but even the Asian ones, lol. I think Gigante's American from his main narration voice, so all I can think is that the first other accent he ever learned must've been a strong Scottish accent and because of that it slips into the other accents from time to time. Anyway, despite all these quibbles and sometimes laughing at an accent, he did manage to give each character a very unique voice which was no easy feat for this book.
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Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl
I loved Sea of Poppies. I should read the second book before I forget too much of the first! 
I did not enjoy Normal People. It did not live up to my expectations given the critical acclaim that it has received. It was like a young adult coming-of-age university novel, infused with class issues, and told in the manner of brunt realism typical of Irish literature. I think I would have preferred more sentimentality in this "is but isn't" a love story. I had trouble engaging with the characters emotionally. |
That's too bad about Normal People! Although, your description of why you didn't like it - coming-of-age university novel with brunt realism - sounds right up my alley, lol.
I was surprised that Sea of Poppies ended as it did, although I could tell about halfway through that this was going to be more the first section of a longer story rather than a self-contained story in the one book. Still, the whole book felt like an extended prologue! LOL. Well, maybe the first 4/5, and then the last fifth felt like the beginning of the book, and then it ends. This is definitely the sort of series that is more one gigantic book split into separate volumes.
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Originally Posted by CRussel
Currently listening to The Body in the Castle Well, the latest Bruno, Chief of Police book from Martin Walker, narrated by Robert Ian Mackenzie. As always, a delightful listen, and an excellent narration. Though I do find his voice for the Americans in this one a bit too broad and flat. Really, I know we sound like that to those whose English originated in the U.K., but don't overdo it!
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I read the first Bruno book some years ago and liked it, but didn't love it. From time to time I wonder if I should try another book in the series.