The Ritual Master I would say audiobooks are a recent activity for me, but that’s not entirely true. Growing up, radio theater was a very important part of my cultural upbringing. I lived in a small town with no theater of its own, a very modest movie theater, and quite a limited offer on tv. I remember the joy of listening to famous plays but also novels in their dramatised version, even today I can recognise the voices of famous actors I first knew through the radio.
Now audiobooks are not the same, I admit, but they do bring up memories, especially when the actors reading them are fully committed to the process. I’ve been listening to audiobooks for little over a year, so I’m no expert, but I do know that in order to leave the written version behind, I need to be convinced by a special interpretation.This December, I was particularly inspired, so I decided to share with you my Christmassy finds. I enjoyed reading them either on the go or while I was doing some relaxing needlework at home.
A boy called Christmas
by Matt Haig
Anything read by Stephen Fry is a gold star for sure (if you haven’t listened to his Harry Potter reads, you should). So when I saw the audiobook version of A boy called Christmas, by Matt Haig, in his interpretation, I was over the moon. The story of 11 year-old Nikolas, a brave and curious boy that lives extraordinary adventures in a snowy mysterious land of elves and magic, is the most wonderful tale to listen to in December. The amazing Stephen Fry at his best. And I surely cannot compare, but still, I want to give you the opening lines of the book :
You are about to read the true story of Father Christmas. It is a story that proves that nothing is impossible. If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. It is most certainly not for you. Because this book is FULL of impossible things.
A boy called Christmas, Matt Haig
Are you still reading?
Good. Then let us begin . . .
The Christmas Pig
by J.K. Rowling
My second December inspiration came from her majesty, J.K.Rowling, and her latest book The Christmas Pig. Listening to the audio sample, I was surprised by how many different actors participated in the recording. And I’m glad I gave it a try. It resembles a radio theater play, but knowing that the text is in full version is a big advantage. Each of the many character has a different voice, and the atmosphere is like an enchanted fairyland, with toys that come to life, and the extraordinary things a young boy is willing to do in order to save his dearest friend. And if you need more proof, here’s a quote :
Losing is part of living.
The Christmas Pig, J.K. Rowling
But some of us live even though we’re lost.
That’s what love does.
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