Narrators you don't like?

[Karen B.]

I'm learning that it's really important to listen to the sample narration before purchasing. And if you purchase from audible and then don't like the narrator you can always return it for a refund or credit, however you paid for it.

[Julesy]

Just this week I dropped an audio book because the narrator just plain got on my nerves. The Melanie Travis series by Laurien Berenson were released on audio this year, all narrated by Jessica Almasy. This narrator seems to be in a rush to get somewhere. It was so rushed so I changed the speed on my Android phone app from 1.25X to 1.0X. That still was too fast. I thought something was wrong with the audio, so I checked with my friend because we were buddy reading the 3rd book but she was using the iPhone app. She confirmed that it indeed was a speedy narrator. When listening on the Audible Manager for PC app, it doesn't seem as fast.

In any case, I discovered that I was missing a lot from this narration so I quit the audio and switched over to ebook. I will know not to get anymore in this series by this narrator.

[Koeeoaddi]

Karen B. wrote: "I'm learning that it's really important to listen to the sample narration before purchasing. And if you purchase from audible and then don't like the narrator you can always return it for a refund..."

Very good advice. Fortunately for me, the unlistenable audiobook in question came from the library, so all I was out was my time.

[Jessica]

I like the writing of Salem but hate his narration skills. He sounds like a bad imitation of William Shatner in his pacing pausing every other word, literally,and putting pauses in extremely wierd places.

[Fran]

Barbara Rosenblatt. I can only take listening to her if it's the right character. George Guidall is another. The way he narrated the first in the Longmire series was sooooo slow that even at a faster speed I was finishing the sentences.

[Mara]

I love Barbara Rosenblat-she narrates Elizabeth Peters's AMELIA PEABODY series as well as Nevada Barr's ANNA PIDGEON series. Her comedic timing is superb when it comes to those two series. She has also narrated other books which I have enjoyed.

Kate Reading, Barbara Rosenblat, and Susan Ericksen are my top 3 female narrators. I am not fond of Kathleen McInerney who narrates the KATE BERKHOLZER(?) series by Linda Castillo. I tolerate her because I like the series.

I love Scott Brick. I wish he would narrate David Baldacci's books. Ron McClarty is okay, but sometimes I think he's a bit old for some of Mr. Baldacci's Heros.

I love Stephanie Laurens's books. I know Simon Prebble is a bit old for some of the books, but he's a wonderful narrator. The narrator Matthew Bahner(?) who narrated the Cynster Sisters stories is may not terrible, but annoying. He does okay with the male voices, but he's not great at the female voices.

The two narrators I refuse to listen to are Sandra Burr and Macleod Andrews. To me they are not good narrators and sound awful to me. Because of them I have not been able to listen to the Nora Roberts's books they have recorded.

[Mara]

I personally think that George Guidell is passed his prime in narrating. I love the Jim Chee series by Tony Hillerman but to listen to all the series you must be able to tolerate George Guidell.

[Janice]

George Guidall did a great job of narrating The Dark Tower series after Frank Muller was no longer able to continue. I was concerned at first that he would botch it up for a couple of reasons. First, Frank Muller WAS Roland in my mind and I didn't think anyone could take his place. Secondly, I didn't care for George Guidall in the first Longmire book. But, I was pleasantly surprised. He was a close match.

[Fran]

Mara wrote: "I love Barbara Rosenblat-she narrates Elizabeth Peters's AMELIA PEABODY aeries as well as Nevada Barr's ANNA PIDGEON series. Her comedic timing is superb when it comes to those two books. She has ..."

For me, Barbara Rosenblat sounds too old to be Anna Pidgeon. Her voice has a deep somewhat raspy quality that just didn't match with the 'in my head' Anna Pidgeon. I don't mind Scott Brick and I was a bit concerned when I purchased a book he narrated because he is certainly polarizing in these posts. And Mara is right - you have to tolerate George Guidall and I'd rather read whatever he's narrating.

[Marilee]

Isn't it interesting how some narrators can be both annoying or enjoyable to different ears?

I certainly agree that certain narrators are just unsuitable because of the age that comes through in their voices. There is a woman… Jenna Lamia, who's done some very high profile books, and she sounds like she's 10 or 11 years old. I read her profile and she's actually well into her 20's. But if a character is supposed to be a girl or young lady as in The Invention of Wings, she's superb, with great timing and clarity. She cannot carry off the voice of a mature woman, however. I found her voicing Zelda Fitzgerald just unbelievable.

Some older men and women develop a quaver in their voice which while their reading skills may still be excellent, [George Guidall comes to mind] they aren't very convincing voicing young men or women. I'm not terribly annoyed by quavers except in extreme cases , as long as the reading itself is smooth and inflections appropriate.

[Fran]

Jeffrey wrote: "Mara wrote: "I personally think that George Guidell is passed his prime in narrating. I love the Jim Chee series by Tony Hillerman but to listen to all the series you must be able to tolerate Georg..."

Ah Jeffrey! This is the second time you have corrected a homonym! We all make typos, grammar errors and split the occasional infinitive. I'm willing to wager no one among us has an editor. Let's celebrate the odd mistake with the pleasure of learning what the group is listening to. I've added a few of my own words to those of author Ammon Shea's belief that ". . .some rules are useful and that standards have a time and place, he recommends that we let our ears [and eyes] be our guide—and if we can still understand somebody who is speaking [or writing] . . ., we might take time to think about it rather than judge it or [correct it]. Cheers!

[John, Moderator]

I deleted Jeffrey's original post, but not before Fran quoted it. Comments on spelling (typos) or grammar are only to be made if the original causes confusion or uncertainty.

[Fran]

John wrote: "I deleted Jeffrey's original post, but not before Fran quoted it. Comments on spelling (typos) or grammar are only to be made if the original causes confusion or uncertainty."

Ooops. I didn't see it deleted, but in that vein (vain), let's listen on.

[Briar Rose]

I'm probably alone in this opinion, but I really don't like Simon Prebble. He reads in a monotone and makes all his characters sound the same. I've never been able to finish a book he's narrated. Which is a shame, because he reads so many!

[Sarah]

Jim Roberts is an incredibly ubiquitous narrator and bloody awful! He narrated two books I bought without listening to The Pirates of Ersatz and The Creature from Beyond Infinity. It's just painful to listen to him narrate and it will just ruin a story for me. I will not buy a book narrated by him ever again.

I'm not a big fan of Dick Hill either, however he's nowhere as dreadful as Roberts! He narrates a ton as well, but it's not a choppy speech with no pattern such as Roberts, but just really stylized in a way that doesn't seem to flow well and some pronunciations are a bit off when it's not a common word.

I do wish the producers of these books would research proper nouns they're not familiar with. I listen to a book about New Orleans and just groan when they try and pronounce any street or thing related to the city or it's style.

[MissSusie]

And this is why we are all unique individuals with unique tastes it's the same with authors one persons favorite is another's most hated. And also why I love this group for the fact that we can respect each others differences and have a civil discussion about them!

One narrator I recently listened to was Ginny Auer and I can’t put my finger on what it is I don’t like about her narration, I’m not sure if it’s the tone, cadence or accent that I don’t like but there were times when her narration really annoyed me.

But I have also found that sometimes it is the material I wasn't a big fan of Nicola Barber in the first book I listened to by her but then other books I have enjoyed her narration so sometimes you just never know.

[Heidi]

Neil Gaiman is a wonderful narrator but it is a rare thing for an author to be a good narrator.

[John, Moderator]

Some memoirs that I've felt are probably better narrated by the author: Eat, Pray, Love, Dirty Chick: Adventures of an Unlikely Farmer and You're Never Weird on the Internet. For fiction, I felt Bee Season was a solid listen.

[Jeanie]

I'll second Neil Gaiman as a superb author/narrator. But, sorry to contradict John, I didn't enjoy the narration for Eat, Pray, Love... especially her attempts at Itaian which she may speak fluently but pronounces painfully. I admit this may not be as off-putting to others though.

[John, Moderator]

I didn't care for the section on Italy myself, but loved India and was neutral about Indonesia.

[Julesy]

Julie wrote: "Can any of you think of some authors who narrate their own books and do a fantastic job of it ?"

The only audios that I listened to that were narrated by the authors were mostly autobiographies or memoirs. One audio that I listened to that was narrated by the authors was Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul and Rock and Roll. It was the memoirs of Ann & Nancy Wilson, sisters of the rock band Heart. I loved it because each sister told their respective chapters. It was lovely to feel their emotion as they went back into time.

I've also listened to Rob Lowe, Rick Springfield, Lisa Scottoline (one of her non-mysteries), and Lauren Conrad, a few off the top of my head. Rob Lowe and Rick Springfield were impressive. The others were not.

[Kimberly]

I agree with John about Eat, Pray, Love -- I'm glad that Gilbert narrated it. And I agree with Julesy about autobiographies/memoirs read by the authors I am certain I enjoyed Not My Father's Son: A Memoir better listening to Alan Cumming than I would have reading it. I have listened to Gaiman reading Neverwhere and have heard many listeners compliment his reading.

[MissSusie]

Julie wrote: "Can any of you think of some authors who narrate their own books and do a fantastic job of it ?
I am a major fan of Bill Bryson, but doggone, his voice and reading just don't do his books the justi..."

Joshilyn Jackson narrates her own books and I think does a really good job, she has also narrated Lydia Netzer books.

[John, Moderator]

Emily Woo Zeller absolutely ruined a book for me - that was it for her!

[Koeeoaddi]

Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel were absolutely perfect narrating their goofy co-wriiten book, Lunatics.

[Lectrice]

I just remembered how much I like Malcolm Gladwell narrating his own books. Can't imagine anyone else doing his books better. His voice is so good that I'm pretty sure he's been the voice for a recent IBM commercial.

[Heidi]

Oh if we are talking nonfiction - I have heard several good nonfiction books narrated by authors including Tina Fey, Rob Lowe, and Mindy Kaling. I also enjoyed the fiction bookSomeday, Someday, Maybe narrated by the author (whom I loved in Gilmore Girls and Parenthood)

[Lee]

John wrote: "Some memoirs that I've felt are probably better narrated by the author: Eat, Pray, Love, Dirty Chick: Adventures of an Unlikely Farmer and [book:You're Never Weird on t..."

John, I'm halfway through Dirty Chick and I love the author's narration! I am surprised, however, by the poor quality of the audio. There are clicks constantly throughout the audio that should have been removed by engineers. I see that this was produced directly through Audible. I'm surprised they didn't do a better job of cleaning up the files but it hasn't been enough to detract from a great story.

[John, Moderator]

Lee Ann, I hadn't noticed myself, but then again, it's YOUR job to be aware of those things!

[Lee]

John wrote: "Lee Ann, I hadn't noticed myself, but then again, it's YOUR job to be aware of those things!"

I listen to audiobooks through my Sansa clip. You're probably right, John. It's a curse that I've discussed with other narrators. You hear EVERYTHING after you begin processing your own files. :(

[Sandi]

Mary Robinette Kowal is an author who does a great job of narrating her own books. Then again, she does a great job of narrating other people's books too. She is a puppeteer as well as a narrator and author. That experience shines through in the way she differentiates characters when she reads.

[Mara]

I am listening to SUMMER GIRLS by Mary Alice Monroe, and I have read in this site that some authors shouldn't be narrators of their own books. I am beginning to understand why that has been stated.

The story is all right, but Miss Monroe isn't a very good narrator. She's better than some, but she should have let someone else read the book. I am getting to the bored point with it and almost want to give up on it, but then there is the other part that wants to finish the story.

Elizabeth Berg reads her own books, but I find her to be a rather good narrator of her own books.

[Specs]

It's a shame most people will not be able to understand dutch, because Ilja Gort narrates his own book really well and funny (he went from Holland to a castle in France to produce wine, and all the adventures and real life problems to go with it).

[Mary]

I am listening to Playing with Fire by Tess Gerritsen. I just looked up the narrator because the man voice is really creepy and I thought it was a woman trying to sound like a man. Thankfully I got this from the library so I didn't have to pay. I don't know if I will be able to finish it

[Jem]

Brene Brown is somehow pretty good at public speaking, but terrible at audiobook narration. Her country accent in Rising Strong is so irritating that I often lose focus on the material, and her enunciation by far the worst I have ever heard in an audiobook. She would never hire herself to narrate it. In The Power of Vulnerability, it's just a slightly cleaned-up recording of her stage performances, and though it is still not professional-quality narration, it's far better than her studio narration.

You'd think that big publishing house studios would have someone there to coach author-narrators and celebrity narrators and help them improve their delivery.

As a rule, I skip celebrity narrators. While I enjoyed Dracula overall, Tim Curry's van Helsing was not up to par with the other actors in the audiobook. The only celebrity narrator I've heard that I thought was really good was William Hurt narrating The Sun Also Rises. It's a bit of an acquired taste because the writing itself does not flow the way that modern literature does. He found an excellent way to address that with his cadence and inflection.

Aside from that, I hear a lot more bad audio engineering/production than bad narration. It's pretty easy to remove ear-splitting high frequency sibilant S sounds, but few bother to take the time. I've even heard the narrator's computer fan go on and off in the background. Better to eliminate that during recording, but again, it's possible to remove it during editing.

[Pamela]

Gotta weigh in just briefly from the narrator's side (and yeah, I've heard some narrators whose production is obviously poor and home-studio-in-a-closet quality) but many times pace is governed by the author's comments after auditioning or sending a few chapters; in other cases, by the director who prefers a faster/slower read.

Several times I have disagreed with my director/author's preferences on pace and styling but whoever pays me has the right to ask that of me and then I do the best I can to make them happy! (I might not put the finished book up on my reel, but it is their right)

[Audiothing]

Marilee makes a good point
"Isn't it interesting how some narrators can be both annoying or enjoyable to different ears? "
There are a few narrators who just plain get on my nerves, yet others rate them highly.
It's not all about skill either, one chap I love, well, sometimes it's hard to differentiate between his females, yet he has that undefinable something. Maybe it's his ability to, quite simply, tell a story. It's a gift!
I understand that I won't like all books or all narrators, but what I find intolerable is a poor, slapdash and low quality recording. It makes me feel ripped off and I'm offended that "someone" feels this is good enough for you and me. We pay, we deserve better.
Who does get the final word on quality, anyone know?

[Lori]

If you want to listen to an excellent narration by the author I would highly recommend Where the Hell is Tesla? by Rob Dircks.

Excellent narration!! Superbly entertaining!! Loved it!!

[Jem]

Pamela wrote: "Gotta weigh in just briefly from the narrator's side (and yeah, I've heard some narrators whose production is obviously poor and home-studio-in-a-closet quality) but many times pace is governed by ..."

I understand the sentiment, but I disagree with the details of what you wrote. By far the worst-quality narration and production I've heard are from traditional professional studios. Plenty of high-quality audiobooks are created in closet home studios.

[Jari]

I have to say I can't stand Kate Reading reading Brandon Sanderson's The Stormlight Archive. All her characters sound the same and somehow she manages to end some(a lot) of the words with a pitch. There is also no good tempo to her reading and her male voices are horrendous. All of her chapters make me want to break out the paperback version to give my ears a rest.

Michael Kramer on the other hand, all his characters have distinct voices and his reading makes you want to keep listening

[Jody]

Not all actors are good narrators. Though he starred in the movie, Brendan Fraser did an awful job with the second book in the 'Inkheart' trilogy. Publisher must have wised up as they used a different narrator for the third book. Still not as good as Lynn Redgrave, who did the first book.

[John, Moderator]

Jari wrote: "I have to say I can't stand Kate Reading reading Brandon Sanderson's The Stormlight Archive. All her characters sound the same and somehow she manages to end some(a lot) of the words with a pitch. ..."

I think Kate Reading has been terrific narrating the books I've read; however, she may not be a great fit for that one.

[Natalie]

I liked Diane Keatin's narration of her own autobiography. If you like Diane Keaton (which I do) you should enjoy it. Very very little "dish" but some thoughtful ruminations and an entertaining family history.

[Donna]

I just finished Trace, in the Kay Scarpetta series, and I have to say that I just cannot stand Kate Reading's voice! lol I've looked through so many of your comments and totally understand how people either love, or hate, someone in a particular role! As well, there's a kind of imprinting that goes on for me when I hear a book narrated by a particular performer, so midway through the series, when the performer changes, it can be a teensy bit unsettling for me. Often I make the transition seamlessly, but in the case of the Kay Scarpetta series, moving from CJ Critt to Kate Reading was just too much of a leap for me. Readings' performance was stilted and sounded consistently clipped and pissy. I did enjoy the voices that she gave to one or two of the characters, but her interpretation of Lucy's voice made her sound one dimensional. She sounded too young, too angry, and un-nuanced; it was just wrong.

In your comments, i did see the same names over and over and over again and so I'm going to take those names under advisement and try a book by each of them; I'll let you know what Camp I fall into!

[John, Moderator]

Without hearing a Scarpetta sample, I could see where Kate Reading might be a bit "formal" for Lucy. I associate KR with classics from Balzac, Maugham, etc.

[Terrence]

Death By Water's narration. Puts me to sleep. =(

[Mara]

I love Jane Green's books. But whoever talked her into being a narrator, for whatever reason, should be shot. She's a great writer, but a terrible narrator.

Thank God, I got SUMMER SECRETS, from Overdrive. I would have cried had I paid for the book.

Mary Alice Monroe, who writes the SUMMER GIRLS series is another writer who shouldn't be a narrator. I thought I'd never get through her book THE SUMMER GIRLS.

The only author that I have come across as good writer and narrator of her own books is Elizabeth Berg.

[Cozen]

- H.J Bellus has a great kids voice but not so much for the romance/contemporary genre. "Tripp" narration was so irrating that I could only get to chapter three before I gave up.

- Ryan West is a good narrator but his female adaptation strikes a nerve with me.

- Patty Mo - I'm a retired military brat who was stationed in the south for a long time. There is the southern accent, the thick heavy southern accent, and there is the fake southern accent. Anyone from the south can tell immediately tell whose athentic and not. There is a false pushed accent that I find quite a lot of actors try to immitate (*cough* Anna Paquine as Rogue in the x-men *cough*). Patty Mo really ruined the first in the Cuda Confessions series for me.

Logan McAllistar - Is flat. No emotions to his narration at all. I was very happy when the second book in the Alpha's Claim was done by someone else.

- Emily Duante - Good narrator but didn't do "Love Left Behind" very well. Her rendition made the lead female sound smug and snobbery. Didn't give that book any favors. I truely believe she was only picked for that one because she could do a New York accent. Unfortunately that NY accent was only good for one of the characters in the book who had the least amount of dialog.

- Liona Gem - From "Blood Lust." Also retitled as "Dark Cravings" by Madeline Pryce. Love the book but Liona Gem's redendition gave the leading female a different persona. It didn't fit the character at all.