The Sword and Laser discussion

So, I devoured the audiobook and am already done with the 18hr tome. It really felt like listening to an incredible performance of a one-woman show.

But what I particularly liked was Joe Hill's endnote on the audio. (I don't think this is spoilery, as it has nothing to do with the plot, but here's your alert in case you're worried?)

Hill gives a lovely spiel about the value of a good storyteller, and how they can make a book so much better. He even praises Mulgrew as the talent she is and thanks her for her interpretation of of story. I was really happy to hear an author acknowledge the notion that their work can actually be improved by a good narrator. I imagine some authors would be insulted by the idea, but I really agree with Hill.

Just wondered if anyone else had gotten to this endnote yet and what your reactions were. :)

I have only just started listening to the audiobook but I’m very impressed with Mulgrew’s performance so far. A good audio performance can really elevate a book to a higher level and it’s great to hear an author acknowledging that.
(Just goes to show, the nastier the book, the nicer the author)

Kay wrote: "So, I devoured the audiobook and am already done with the 18hr tome. It really felt like listening to an incredible performance of a one-woman show.

But what I particularly liked was Joe Hill's e..."

It's nice that an author weighed in on that. A few times where narrators have made a big difference to me (improvement):

Several People Are Typing - it's a Slack channel in chorus, and is so funny in audio
Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn - the narrator does the three female characters so distinctly that even though they are RELATED you can hear the differences between generations and education levels. Just brilliant.
Daisy Jones & The Six - another chorus novel much improved by actors

I was excited to see that she was the narrator (Trekker), but thought she was an odd choice considering the age of the protagonist. She was amazing though & I loved her performance. I listened to this a year or so ago & forgot about that note at the end. Thanks for reminding me!

Mulgrew is good except with Indian accents which stray into the racist comedy Indian accent. Otherwise very good. Think Apu!

And apparently her pronunciation of Haverhill is off.

https://youtu.be/avBvRU0_9G4?t=440

Stephen Lang is the narrator of Heart-Shaped Box & he sounds a lot like Will Patton who narrated some Stephen King.
Lang & HSB are really good too!

Please don’t hate me, but I think I may be one of the few who didn’t particularly care for Mulgrew‘s narration. I felt her characters all sounded a little whiny and had sort of a weird pseudo-Midwestern accent.

Though I love her as an actor and was really excited when I heard she was the narrator, it was one of the few audiobooks where I felt distracted by the performance instead of engrossed. Sorry!

Buzz wrote: "Please don’t hate me, but I think I may be one of the few who didn’t particularly care for Mulgrew‘s narration. I felt her characters all sounded a little whiny and had sort of a weird pseudo-Midwe..."

Did you watch the show? I think having the 1st season of the show in mind may have improved my experience when I listened.

I finished this audiobook this afternoon and I loved it. I am hoping to watch the AMC series next.

Kate Mulgrew was a fantastic narrator and I really liked that Joe Hill mentioned this in his author note. His comments about people living in two worlds was very meaningful to me.

Also, I <3 Lou.

Ian (RebelGeek) wrote: "...Did you watch the show? I think having the 1st season of the show in mind may have improved my experience when I listened...."

Leesa wrote: "I finished this audiobook this afternoon and I loved it. I am hoping to watch the AMC series next..."

I finished it yesterday and, though I wasn't a fan of the narration, I did enjoy the book and am definitely going to watch the show. Apparently the end of season two corresponds with the end of the book (according to Wikipedia).

Kay wrote: "So, I devoured the audiobook and am already done with the 18hr tome. It really felt like listening to an incredible performance of a one-woman show.

But what I particularly liked was Joe Hill's e..."

Yes, I like Joe told about the family reading out loud habit, which proved he favor audio books and mention his mother as renowned author.

Francis x wrote: "Yes, I like Joe told about the family reading out loud habit, which proved he favor audio books and mention his mother as renowned author."

Did he say “renowned”? It’s not a secret that she’s an author, but I don’t know about celebrated.

Trike wrote: "Francis x wrote: "Yes, I like Joe told about the family reading out loud habit, which proved he favor audio books and mention his mother as renowned author."

Did he say “renowned”? It’s not a secr..."

His mum, i think he is allowed to use renowned… I assume he wants to go back for Thanksgiving ;-)

Iain wrote: "Trike wrote: "Francis x wrote: "Yes, I like Joe told about the family reading out loud habit, which proved he favor audio books and mention his mother as renowned author."

Did he say “renowned”? I..."
I means where are his mother's books or published works. list of...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabitha...

Pretty sparse, never heard of any of them and four are Stephen’s universe.

Tabitha King