If you read my review way back in September, it is no secret that I really enjoyed Elizabeth Kostova’s new book, “The Swan Thieves.”
I actually enjoyed it so much, that around Thanksgiving when a bunch of people were reading it, I started to want to do a re-read. I didn’t think I was going to be able to fit the text in again any time soon, so I decided that I was going to have to get a hold of the audiobook and do an audio reread. Anna from Hachette was nice enough to drop a copy in the mail for me when they were released. The timing was perfect, I was just finishing another audiobook and ready for a new one, so I immediately embarked on my voyage back through Marlow and Robert Oliver’s lives. I’m not going to talk about the story again, because you can go back to my review, linked at the top of the page, if you want to know what I thought about that. Instead, I want to talk about my experience with the audio.
Most audios I listen to have only one narrator, and that is usually fine. A good narrator can cover everyone’s voice appropriately anyway. It is, however, a real treat to listen to an audiobook with a great cast of narrators. “The Swan Thieves” is one of those books. I think my favorite of all the narrators was Anne Heche as Kate, but they were all fabulous. For a book like this that is really told from four very distinct perspectives, the use of four separate narrators really added something invaluable to the experience. I did appreciate, though, that each narrator stuck to his or her own chapters, no attempting dialog between two of them. That would have become too awkward with “he said”s and “she exclaimed”s included. There was also some lovely background music that chosen perfectly to complement the book.
All in all, I think the experience of listening to “The Swan Thieves” was equally as enjoyable as reading it.
(Yes, FTC, as I said above, I *did* get this for free)
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I’m so glad to hear this…thanks for the audio perspective! I just got the audio book from the library a couple of days ago, got it loaded yesterday and will start it as soon as I finish my current one (Sarah’s Key) which I am listening to for my book club. I find audios with a cast a phenomenal experience. Very few narrators can duplicate the feeling by themselves.
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Lake Eola #1 =-.
I do appreciate an audiobook that uses a cast. While I think one narrator can do a fabulous job, when listening to a cast it is a treat like you said.
I am glad that you were able to enjoy the story the second time around. Now to decide if I should read this book or listen to it on audiobook.
I bet this book is fantastic as an audio! I’ve never listened to a book that had more than one narrator, but have listened to a couple that really need more.
What a great way to do re-reads! There are so many books I’d like to read again but there are so many others that I have to get through on paper first. But I can listen when I can’t read so this will work wonderfully.
Thanks for the audio recommendation. It sounds fantastic!
I just love when audio books have more than one narrator, particularly if they breathe life into their characters. Thanks for a great review. I’m looking forward to reading this book.
I love a good audiobook! A good narrator can bring so much to a book – I know that when I read Winterwood and The Book Thief, having a narrator that could handle the languages and accents really made a huge difference. I am looking forward to reading this one.
I won a copy of the audiobook and am waiting for it to come in the mail. I’m glad it’s a good one, and I love the cast of voices, too. I’m reading and listening to Graceling right now, which is also a cast of voices.
.-= The Kool-Aid Mom´s last blog ..FFI- GO COLTS!!! =-.
I haven’t listened to many audios, but I like the thought of doing a re-read as an audio! I’ll keep this one in mind.
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Winter Garden – Kristin Hannah =-.
tag, i’m it!