The regaling tale of “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett is masterfully brought to life by the narration of Meryl Streep, running for a total of 11 hours and 22 minutes. This is the quintessential cosy read everyone mentions when talking of their favourite books. It revolves around the confessions made by a mother to her grown-up daughters, while they ride out the lockdown on a cherry farm in Michigan. She recounts her passionate summer affair with a famous actor long before they were born. Unveiling the scarcely acknowledged reality that parents led intriguing lives prior to becoming parents. The narration by Streep is so captivating that it’s impossible to think of anyone else playing the lead in the potential film version of the book. – Review: A riveting, superbly authentic contemplation of existence.
“The Details” by Ia Genberg, translated by Kira Josefsson, is a philosophic work with contemporaneous narrative by Julie Maisey, running for a duration of 3 hours and 55 minutes. In her fever-induced state, a woman reflects on the remnants of her past, of lost relationships, friendships and family. The short tale, penned by renowned Swedish writer Ia Genberg, initially appears to be a simple read, but before you realise it, you’re engrossed in the narrative. The incredible portrayal of her own past, forces the reader to introspect their own lives. At the end, you are compelled to question – Who is the one being scrutinised here?
“Emperor of Rome” by Mary Beard is an engaging audio read running for 14 hours and 44 minutes, narrated by the author herself. It wonderfully expresses historical facts, making it a fitting choice for an audio experience. Historian Mary Beard’s latest offering presents a vague timeline, allowing readers to delve into any chapter at random and still be enthralled in the narrative as if they were part of an invigorating and engaging lecture. She captivates her audience with tidbits of unusual trivia, like the adolescent Syrian emperor who pranked his guests with whoopee cushions – marking the first documented example of such jests in Western civilization. What appeals to readers most, however, are the seemingly ordinary questions posed – how exactly does one govern an empire? What are the ground realities in transitioning from a republic to a singular rule? Are these emperors as insane, violent and incestuous as we have been made to believe?
“Palatine: An Alternative History of the Caesars, authored by Peter Stothard and delivered by Christopher Scott, spans 11 hours and 4 minutes. It offers an intriguing contrast to Mary Beard’s Emperor of Rome, with common threads found particularly in the intricate details of Roman leadership, examining everything from planned successions to daily imperial administration. However, Stothard smartly centres his narrative not on the well-known figures of power but on the Vitellii family, who were lesser-known but highly influential. This captivating account is rife with political manoeuvres, murders, conspiracies, villains, over-indulgers and scoundrels. If you take pleasure in ancient Roman history or find shows like Succession and Game of Thrones appealing, then this will likely be an engrossing listen for you.
Kaveh Akbar’s ‘Martyr!’ is read by Arian Moayed and runs for 10 hours and 39 minutes.”
Cyrus Shams, an Iranian-American wordsmith, grapples with substance abuse, belief, and his heritage’s history. The death of his mother, who was victim to an ill-fated flight shot down over Tehran, haunts him. Cyrus’ uncle assumed the Angel of Death’s role on Iranian warfronts to console the dying. Working on a factory farm in the US Midwest, his father slaughtered chickens. Through the prism of mortality, Cyrus endeavours to understand existence. Despite its seemingly bleak premise, Martyr! is far from it. It presents an exciting mix of wisdom, humour, emotion, and sheer entertainment that’s sure to make it a favoured recommendation for any book lover. – Review: An impressive first novel
The Bullet Swallower, authored by Elizabeth Gonzalez James and recited by Lee Osorio. Duration: 9hrs 59 mins.
In the year 1895, a botched train robbery results in the killing of Antonio Sonoro’s younger sibling by Texas Rangers. Antonio, too, suffers shocking disfigurement. Engulfed by anger, he plots a revenge-driven, adrenaline-fuelled journey. Fast forward to 1964, Antonio’s progeny is a renowned actor in Mexico who unexpectedly receives a book recounting his family’s entire history, starting from Cain and Abel. The narrative excitedly flits between a testosterone-filled, violent Western, a magical realist story filled with celestial beings and a family saga wrestling with the impact of colonial violence, past sins, and passing on trauma. The fact that this nearly 10-hour narrative can pull off such complexity is commendable. Its successful execution clearly reflects Elizabeth Gonzalez James’ narrative prowess.
Butter, penned by Asako Yuzuki and spoken by Hanako Footman. Duration: 17hr 12 min.
Butter presents a chilling yet captivating thriller inspired by real events surrounding the ‘konkatsu killer.’ When Manako Kaji, a connoisseur cook, is found guilty of murdering several solitary businessmen she enticed with her cooking skills, it intrigues the Japanese populace. Kaji remains mum which is frustrating until journalist Rika Machida breaks her silence by requesting Kaji’s beef stew recipe. What ensues is a tense and puzzling relationship revealing perspectives on food, body image, aspirations, gender disparities, and fixation.
The Wren, The Wren, by Anne Enright.
In an exquisite manner, Anne Enright intricately explores the intricate dynamics of family relationships in her audiobooks, surpassing brilliance with each new publication. Her lively characters bring realism and authenticity to her stories that can be overwhelming, as portrayed in her book, “The Wren, the Wren.” The story captures the essence of humanity with characters like young Nell and her mother, Carmel, who you will find endearing. Her narration, along with Aoife Duffin, Owen Roe, and Liza Ross, spans 7 hours and 40 minutes – an engaging experience that might just be her finest work yet.
Percival Everett’s “James” is a thrilling reinterpretation of classic Huckleberry Finn that twists the narrative ingeniously. Dominic Hoffman narrates the tale, which moves into the perception of Huck’s enslaved companion, moulding Jim into James while maintaining the primary plot. The fresh take on the story adds gripping momentum and James’s character – smart, astute, cautious, amusing, and livid – grabs your full attention. Everett’s clever word magic generates scenes of both incredible humour and intense rage, making the 7 hours and 49 minutes listening experience genuinely delightful.
Finally, Francis Spufford’s “Cahokia Jazz” narrated by Andy Ingalls spans 15 hours and 36 minutes.
In Francis Spufford’s captivating alternative history, the year is 1922 and we are in the United States. Speakeasies are bustling with jazz music and clandestine alcohol consumption. In this unusual setting, the plot follows detective Joe Barrow as he delves into a murder case that could reveal a political conspiracy capable of causing chaos in the city. Rather than the familiar noir set-up, Spufford has chosen Cahokia as his stage; present-day Unesco heritage site near St Louis, Missouri. His narrative vividly paints a world where smallpox was less catastrophic to the Native American population, allowing them to flourish alongside the settlers. This thrilling and poignant tale is set in an ‘adapted’ 1922 America.
In another narrative, “Clear”, written by Carys Davies and narrated by Russ Bain, we travel back to the 1840s. We are introduced to an optimistic, struggling priest named John who is sent to a secluded Scottish island. His mission is to evict the last resident, a feral man called Ivar. On arrival, John endures a severe accident and finds himself being taken of by Ivar. Despite the language barrier and having apparently nothing shared between them, the men form an unexpected friendship. This audiobook warrants meticulous listening, you might find yourself pressing the rewind button multiple times to fully absorb the exquisite prose. Clear paints an evocative picture of the aloof island landscape and subtly communicates profound understandings of human interactions. It’s certainly an audiobook you’d revisit.
Lastly, we have “Crook Manifesto” by Colson Whitehead, narrated by Dion Graham. The narration runs for a little under 11 hours.
At times, when immersing in audiobooks, your thoughts may get sidetracked. Imagine walking and mulling over dated forms of penalties for those neglecting to clean up after their pets. Out of the blue, you recognise your ignorance of the past five minutes of your narrative. Such episodes of dwindling focus can be eliminated with Colson Whitehead’s “Crook Manifesto”. A follow-up to “Harlem Shuffle”, it re-engages with Ray Carney, an ex-fence turned furniture salesman attempting to lead an honest life. The book brings a stunningly set of brilliantly portrayed, seedy characters, but the real hero is the meticulously depicted 1970s New York city. Review: a city in ruins, its desperate men and unlawful ventures.
“The Sleepwalkers” by Scarlett Thomas
Narrated by Raphael Corkhill and Griffiths. Duration: 9hr 6 min
Compiling a summer list of audiobooks? Consider moving “The Sleepwalkers” near the top. Upon their honeymoon arrival on a splendid Greek Island, it’s evident something’s amiss with Evelyn and Richard. Jealousies escalate, tensions brew. Amidst the scenic, flawless surroundings, they stumble upon “the sleepwalkers,” a pair who lodged at the same hotel the previous year and mysteriously lost their lives. The tale of the sleepwalkers holds everyone on the island captivated. Unravelling the mystery provides half the thrill in this convoluted, gripping thriller. If “The White Lotus” was your cup of tea but could’ve used a dash of terror, “The Sleepwalkers” is just right for you.
“You Like It Darker” by Stephen King
Narrated by Will Patton. Duration: 20hr 12min.
Stephen King’s illustrious and productive career isn’t confined to his role as an acclaimed novelist, but extends into the sphere of short story writing. His vast creativity pairs well with the short story genre, allowing one to savour his tales in short bursts. His shorter works have an uncanny ability to linger in the audience’s psyche, making them ideal companions for summer beachside listening. Notable among these is the eerie ‘Bad Dream’ by Danny Coughlin and the sequel to ‘Cujo,’ called ‘Rattlesnakes.’ While some stories extend over several hours, most can be enjoyed in a single sitting.
Shifting gears, we have Long Island by Colm Tóibín, a tenacious effort to follow-up on the enormously successful Irish book, Brooklyn. Being a sequel, it carries the burden of matching, if not surpassing, the original’s overwhelming success while avoiding the negative connotations associated with sequels. Not surprisingly, fans of Brooklyn will simultaneously feel a sense of unease and eager anticipation towards Tóibín’s latest offering. However, Jessie Buckley’s masterful narration will shun away any doubts within the first five minutes. Listeners will find themselves pausing the audiobook at times, reflecting upon the events, and wishing it never ends. Long Island stands as an unforeseen delight and an unparalleled victory.