Karen
asked:
Comment on the audio version... I am currently listening to the audiobook from Audible. The Narrator is TERRIBLE. I have already gotten to part two because the story is good, but I may have to stop and just get a hard copy because it is difficult to even listen to. Anyone else have this problem?
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Sara
I just finished listening in Libby and the narrator was fabulous! She did a great job switching between Joy's American "accent" and the British accent of "Jack" (C.S. Lewis) I felt as though Joy were reading her own story. I found the narrator's name in a Google search--Lauren Woodward. Her voice was the perfect complement to Patti Callahan's writing.
Cristan
YES! I have a hard time reconciling the beautiful prose with millennial vocal fry.
Rebecca Jo
I am struggling through right now too with the Narrator. How do people not notice this when they hear the book being recorded??? So monotone to me.
Stephanie
I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and this one is the worst placement I've come across, it's so off putting it destroyed the novel for me. I imagine the real Joy was a bit more aged and elegant and that would have allowed the spiritual elements of this novel to hit much harder. Instead it sounds like a 2019 woman traveled back in time 80 years. (Lauren Woodward is the narrator)
Terri Leonard
I wouldn't say TERRIBLE, but there were many times where stress is on the wrong part of the sentences, which makes me wonder if she knew what she was reading. Also distracts me for the next few minutes of audio while I repeat the sentence to myself correctly.
Theresa
I listened to it on Hoopla. I liked that narrator.
Jackie Smith
I agree, its the mispronouncing of even very simple words that I found annoying, for example, she keeps pronouncing 'ballad' as 'baLAUD'- who DOES that?
Shirley Garmon
I listened on the Libby app so I'm not sure if this is the same narrator as Audible but she did mispronounce Poem as others have stated. I had to listen at 1.75 speed to comprehend, otherwise, my mind would wander. It was difficult for me the entire time because Joy was from New York and even mentioned her strong accent and loud voice, which this narrator did not have. Also, the narrator sounded very young and flippant, not at all like the highly intelligent woman that Joy was. I googled photos of Joy and C.S. etc.. and I just couldn't marry the narrator's voice with her at all but I made it through the book and so glad that I did!
Christine (Caffrey)
Agreed. Almost gave up. 90%+ of my books are audible. But, unless you really would read the book, hang in there. The ending is worth the challenge.
Joleen
Seriously, I’ve heard WAY worse. I didn’t mind the narrator. I’m with Margaret though. I had to speed it up to 1.25 otherwise I would have been bored.
Leslie Wilson
She visited "Madame Too-Sod's"...ughhhhhhhh
Shannah Anderson
I didn't think it was so bad...Reminded me a bit of Debra Winger's portrayal, even.
Heather Ju
I've been listening on Hoopla and I've enjoyed the narration.
Jennifer
I think the narrator ruined the book for me. I hated it so much I had to turn it off.
Bernice
For the most part, I did not mind this narrator; however, she pronounced Don Juan as Don jewan...really?? That bothered me immensely.
Tami Genry
Yes, the Audible narrator is terrible, but easier to handle when I up the speed. One of the worst audio versions I've heard. Enjoying the story so far, in spite of that, but the beginning was rough as I was getting into it.
Montessahall Montessahall
I agree. The audio book narrator leaves much to be desired. I wish Tavia Gilbert or Cassandra Campbell could narrate every audio book.
Lindsay
Agree. The narrator is awful. I got through the first few chapters, listening to her try to portray each character in a different voice, and couldn’t take it anymore. I quickly downloaded the book on Hoopla and never looked back.
Karen Hagerman
yes - terrible audio.
Frannie Burd
I'm in the minority here...I love the narrator. I find her voice really soothing, and perfect for the story. I also think she does a fair job with the accents. I have less than 3 hours left in the story and I'm dreading finishing it. The book is so beautifully written!
Catherine Lowe
I thought the audio version was terrible and made Joy very unlikeable. I tried, but with too many miserable hours to go, couldn't finish it.
Gregory Byerline
Nope. I'm finding the narration quite intriguing.
Kristine
OMG - this is my problem! Heard so many great reviews for this book and I'm ready to DNF at Chapter 4. It's the narrator! I think I'm going to return (via Libby) and borrow the book. Just will need to do another time. Thank you all for your opinions - I'm agreeing with the majority! =)
Julier
I listened to it on Hoopla. I liked the narrator.
Heather Gutierrez
Oh wow! That sucks because I am almost done and LOVE it so much!! Def hope you're able to read it and enjoy.
Shea
Her accent with her o’s is like nails on a chalkboard for me. Sticking with it but so glad I’m almost done. And this voice just does not fit the picture of Joy. Disappointing that they didn’t pick an appropriate voice for the story…
Genevieve
Yes, it's really bad. One of the worst I've heard.
Marybeth Ketz
Its a real problem. Thank god for the Sample. If the narrator is vocal frying I know i can't listen. It's an epidemic with speech these days.
Lynda
To me, the narrator's performance as C.S. Lewis and other British or Irish voices was quite good. It was just the voice of Joy as she told her story that was such a monotone; very hard--I agree--to stay interested.
So my impression is that perhaps the narrator is British herself - concentrating on reading the words while trying to sound American?
So my impression is that perhaps the narrator is British herself - concentrating on reading the words while trying to sound American?
Sheryl
I just looked up who the narrator was so I skip the books she narrates in the future. I listen to lots of audiobooks and this is just dull. Decent accents, but so monotone. Glad I found this post and am not alone. I'm too far to quit now.
Mammagoose11
Wow - I'm loving this version -- got it from Libby (through my library). Female narrator is Lauren Woodward (doesn't mention the male) but she's great. Too bad some are ruining this because it's a nice, sweet story.
Lee
Yes. I think she sounded too young, and because Ms. Davidman was from NYC, a New York accent would have worked much better.
Rebecca
I agree that the narrator was not the greatest. I went ahead and plowed through because I've just been too busy lately to actually READ a book. I felt like the narrator just didn't do the book justice.
Debra
I didn't mind the narrator at all and that usually bothers me.
Beth
The narrator was OK for me - not fabulous, but I came to merge her voice with the Joy Davidman of my imagination, so I guess the narrator did her job! I was, however, very annoyed with her pronunciation of the word "poem" as "pome." Really? Ironic? The book of such emphasis on the writing of poetry and the word is mispronounced? Or is it just us Southerners who make it two syllables?
Margaret
I got mine through Scribd and didn't mind the narrator. I did have to ramp up the speed a few notches.
Lisa of Hopewell
I have it on cd so not sure if it's the same reader, but horrible fake British accent!! And shrieky-never-jangling kids (happily not for very long). Just awful.
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