Randall asked Elan Mastai:

I really enjoyed the audiobook and noticed you narrated it as well. I thought the performance matched the tone of the book perfectly. It actually sounded a lot like the way Ira Glass and others tell stories on the podcast "This American Life." Was that the voice you had in your head for Tom while writing, or were you coached on it later before recording? And will you do the narration for your next book too?

Elan Mastai Thanks Randall. That's an astute reference, actually. I'm working with This American Life on a project and their storytelling approach has definitely influenced me. Because the book is written as a "memoir" I wanted to perform it as if it was a true story to the narrator. I wasn't trying to do an Ira Glass impression, but something about his vocal rhythms and tonal inflections—so widespread now in the podcast world—probably wormed their way into my delivery. My approach was to narrate the book like a podcast in which Tom is relating his real-life experiences to the listener.

flag