Amazon Customer

Delighted by Audio Book

Revisado: 07-03-13

I have to confess that the last time I listened to an audio book was in the 90’s. It was a dreadful book read by the author with lots of swallowing, lip smacking, and pregnant pauses. It made a long commute seem that much longer. Imagine my surprise and delight when listening to this trio of classic tales; Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Bram Stoker's Dracula, H. G. Wells' The Invisible Man: Classic Monster Novels Condensed [Abridged] [Audible Audio Edition] by Joseph Lanzara (Author), Mary Shelley (Author), Bram Stoker (Author), H. G. Wells (Author), Brad Wills (Narrator). The collaboration between Lanzara and Wills on this audio book was mesmerizing. The quality of the recording is superb. Joseph Lanzara has done a great job condensing these stories for the modern listener while maintaining a sense of the time period in which they were written. The essence of each story remains without clutter or a slowing down of the tempo. Words don’t feel wasted. Brad Wills’ narration of Lanzara’s work is masterful and the real show piece of this book. Wills brings a depth to these stories that eclipse the written word. His interpretation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was my favorite. He managed to capture the fanaticism and horror of Victor Frankenstein in equal measure. It fascinated me that he could manipulate his voice in such a way as to give one a real sense of Victor’s character and his crisis. Brad also imbued Victor’s creature with genuine pain and longing. The story evolved in the telling from a “scary story” to an exposé of the human condition. Wills’ rendering of the creature’s need for connection, love and understanding was truly heart wrenching. The creature’s quest to comprehend his creator and his purpose in the world is a timeless, human theme; one that resonates with today’s reader. Brad also brought talent to his reading of Dracula. I felt a chill go up my spine when poor Jonathan Harker found himself trapped in Dracula’s castle, surrounded by the trio of vampires and then rescued by the Count only to discover that he was being saved for the Count’s nefarious purposes. Dracula came alive in all his wickedness. This is a story for "a dark and stormy night" in the capable hands of Brad Wills. The final reading of the trio, The Invisible Man, is also well told. I enjoyed Wills’ use of what I can only assume is a Cockney accent for his version of Griffin. I am now intrigued by the unlimited possibilities of audio books. They become a sort of fusion of the written word and theater when done properly. I will look forward to my next audio book, especially if it is of the same caliber and quality as the work of Joseph Lanzara and Brad Wills.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona