THE TWITS, THE MINPINS, & THE MAGIC FINGER

The narrators are all good matches for these classic Roald Dahl stories, and all three bring full vocal characterizations to their storytelling. Richard Ayoade’s even-toned third-person narrative provides a wonderful juxtaposition to his vocal characterizations for “The Twits,” who have never sounded more perfectly unpleasant as they compete with one another’s dastardly deeds. Bill Bailey’s narration carries a lightness and naïveté as he dances with Dahl’s tongue-twisting, rollicking language in “The Minpins.” And Kate Winslet draws the listener in with a crisp and energetic narration of “The Magic Finger.” Unpleasant things are about to happen as a girl lets loose with her magic finger, but have no fear because Winslet brings humanity to her characterizations of talking ducks and feathered humans. We are all the better for the tales. J.K.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2013]