New Reviews: Classics

In 1979, V.S. Naipaul took a break from writing novels and explored the nature of Islam in several Asian countries: Iran (not long after the fall of the shah), Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. As Raj Ghatak narrates the varied ways that Islam manifests in different nations, the feelings that Muslims have about their faith are strongly evoked. Ghatak suggests voices, rather... Read More

It's common in twentieth-century American fiction to decry the emptiness of middle-class life, and BABBITT has become the eponym of that theme. Nobel Prize winner Sinclair Lewis is well served by narrator Adam Sims, who makes the shallow, hypocritical, money-grubbing George Babbitt more and more sympathetic as he learns--and struggles against--the limitations of his own nature.... Read More

A hundred years ago, Arsène Lupin, a thief who solves crimes, was popular enough to be the hero of 30 books. The character is brilliant in the manner of Sherlock Holmes, very French, and the marvelous performance by David Timson makes him almost believable. Timson deploys an arsenal of voices, accents, and tones that keep the listener involved even through the mechanical... Read More

Nicholas Boulton's narration makes L.P. Hartley's discursive novel about difficult class relations and thwarted love more involving than it might otherwise be. He gives each character a distinctive voice, ably indicating gender and class. Most engaging is the main character, Leadbitter, a tough WWI vet, brawler, misogynist, and chauffeur for hire, who has a gravelly voice and a... Read More

The year is 2092, and humankind has been beaten down by pandemics, floods, fanaticism, isolation, and wars. Narrating in a measured aristocratic tone, Justin Avoth channels the voice of the last man alive as he lays out Mary Shelley's 1826 dystopian vision of the future. All begins happily enough with young love, ambition, and the rise of kings, but constant war, a failed... Read More

Adam Sims infuses this iconic American coming-of-age story with controlled energy. Considered an autobiographical novel and an example of Southern Gothic literature, the story of Eugene Gant and his family's struggles is rich in detail and poetic in language. Sims's voice has subtle depths that capture difficult scenes with the right amount of emotion. He does well with... Read More

As the book world celebrates the 75th anniversary of Bradbury's classic, Dion Graham's stellar narration blasts off with a group of astronauts headed to Mars. The production opens with Graham's delivery of an editor's note intended to soften the offensive ideas in Bradbury's introductory essay, written in 1950, which explains his writing process for these interconnected... Read More

An emotive full-cast adaptation of Austen's most famous novel ranges from stellar narrative performances to "Bridgerton"-esque laughter and sighs. There're no weak performances here, with Darcy (Harris Dickinson), Lizzy (Marisa Abela), her parents (Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Bill Nighy), and Lady Catherine (Glenn Close) especially owning Austen's spirit. Patricia Allison is... Read More

With crisp sound effects and an original score, Voices In the Wind Audio Theatre delivers a nice polish and American accents to Charles Dickens's classic 1866 story of the supernatural. When a newspaper reporter, portrayed with heartfelt energy by Laura Van Veen, calls "Halloa! Below there!" at the entrance of a railway tunnel, she's surprised to find a distressed and haggard... Read More

Lucy Scott brings her clear British English to this work, a sequel that was rushed out, I fear, to capitalize on the success of von Arnim's earlier well-loved book, ELIZABETH AND HER GERMAN GARDEN, published in 1898. This slight audiobook, set in Pomerania in the 1890s, is amusing for those who like gardening. Scott adds a touch of humor and affection to Elizabeth's... Read More

A diverse ensemble of narrators brings this collection of speculative stories vividly to life. Each performance highlights their shifting tones of wonder, satire, and melancholy. Ali Andre Ali and Gary Furlong excel at conjuring textured voices that amplify the feeling of the uncanny. Corey Brill's thoughtful, measured pace underscores reflective moments, while Danielle Cohen... Read More

Fans of murder mysteries and English accents will love this listen. David Timson performs this classic crime drama in a way that makes one feel one has just emerged from a London pub in the early 20th century after having a few pints of Guinness with friends while discussing murder. The story revolves around Mr. Todhunter, a stately but ordinary man whose life is upended when... Read More