Midweek Meme for Day 3 of Audiobook Week hosted by Devourer of Books
Current/most recent audiobook
The Technologists by Matthew Pearl, narrated by Stephen Hoye (Random House Audio, 2012)
Impressions
Stephen Hoye reads Matthew Pearl’s mystery/thriller set in late nineteenth-century Boston with an old-fashioned air, somehow, ending each sentence as if it sums something up (no contemporary questioning, irony, or self-doubt entering in). It took a little getting used to, but then I decided the rich, plummy, almost-pompous tone fit the tenor of the book, which has class and the supposed leveling effect of education as one of its themes.
Current/most recent favorite audiobook
I’m really behind on audiobook reviews, but my most recent favorite is The Good House by Ann Leary, narrated by Mary Beth Hurt, published this year by Macmillan Audio.
Favorite narrator you’ve discovered recently
Mary Beth Hurt is a name I’ll remember after listening to her rendition of North Shore Realtor Hildy Good’s boozy story in The Good House.
One title from your TBL (to be listened to) stack, or your audio wishlist
I might have mentioned Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, narrated by Eduardo Ballerini, which bloggers have been raving about for a while, but with a book club deadline, I ended up reading it in print, so I guess the next audiobook I absolutely need to listen to is Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, narrated by blogger-fave Simon Vance, published in 2012 by Macmillan Audio. (It follows Wolf Hall, also narrated by Simon Vance (oops, sorry) narrated by Simon Slater, which was one of those audiobooks I ended and immediately wanted to listen to all over again. It also just won an Audie Award in the Literary Fiction category.)
Check out other bloggers’ Audiobook Week mid-week answers over at Devourer of Books!
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I’m planning to use my next Audible credit for The Good House… can’t wait to listen!
seems reviewing audios is as time consuming as hardcopies!
enjoy your listening opps today =)
I started reading Wolf Hall last year as part of a read-a-long and then put it down…maybe I should try the audio – I do love Simon Vance!
~Kristin @ Always With a Book
I love Simon Vance but haven’t listened to Wolf Hall yet. I might have to move that one up the TBL, mainly because I loved Simon Vance in the Dune series.
I might have to try the audiobook for Wolf Hall – I couldn’t finish the print version.
I’ve listened to Bleak House with Simon Vance narrating and I enjoyed his work. Do you happen to know if he narrates the previous book by Mantel as well?
Yes, he does!
Excellent suggestion: I know I want to experience The Good House so maybe the audio is a perfect way to go.
Yes, I think so!
It’s excellent!
I love love loved Beautiful Ruins. I wasn’t a huge fan of Wolf Hall (I think it was actually a different Simon who narrated it) but I want to try Bring Up the Bodies.
Oh, you’re right, it was Simon Slater who narrated Wolf Hall! I hate when there’s a new narrator. Wolf Hall was so, so good on audio.
Correction from Michelle Erin in the comments–Simon Slater narrated Wolf Hall; Simon Vance narrates Bring Up the Bodies!
I’ve heard good things about Bring Up the Bodies. Hope you love it! I’ve been wanting to try a Simon Vance audio.
I’ve seen Bring Up the Bodies at my library. I’m going to have to snatch it up next time I’m in.