Grr. I was just looking up that Hermann-narrated Alienist at Amazon, and it looks like it's (a) only available in cassette or downloaded form, and (b) is abridged. I have issues with abridged versions of books I enjoy, ever since I heard the two-tape version of Clancy's Sum of All Fears, which was mangled beyond all recognition.
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
I have somewhere a tape version of Robert Pinsky's Inferno translation, read by four poets (including Pinsky). Of the four, Seamus Heaney was far and away the best, and Pinsky reading his own words was second-best. The other two were eh. I don't imagine all poets are oriented toward the spoken/performed word in their minds, but I imagine more of them are than there are novelists of this type.
(For me, good performance is signalled primarily by wide variation in pitch -- or anyway, a bad performance is usually signalled by near-monotone. I forgive much for a voice that uses pitch to help convey meaning.)
Where he almost outacted Molly Ringwald!
I'm always a bit befuddled by actors who get worse. She was fine as a teenager. I really noticed it on the short lived sitcom Townies where she was completely blown off the screen by then-newcomers Lauren Graham and Jenna Elfman, each blasting megawatts of snark and charm and Molly...not.
I have somewhere a tape version of Robert Pinsky's Inferno translation, read by four poets (including Pinsky). Of the four, Seamus Heaney was far and away the best
I have a CD of Seamus Heaney reading his translation of Beowulf, and it's marvelous. I love, love, love his voice and his style--and his translation, for that matter. I am a Seamus Heaney fangirl!!1!
But I find them really charming, Hec. In Molly's defense. It would take quite the charming person to look good next to that.
While it is still true that Molly's wardrobe out acted her in Betsy's Wedding she is still one of my favorite parts of it. Don't get me going on Anthony Lapaglia! oops, too late
I didn't realize the Alienist was abridged, but now that you mention it, the book IS pretty hefty. And while I can understand wanting the real deal, I still seriously recommend it.
I am glad for the two year wait. I think the two years between 5 and 6 was well spent. A tighter book.
Heh. Around SF Eggers/Chabon is the OTP.
Am I a dummy, or is Michael Chabon's first name not Jonathan?? Also, Dave Eggers's first name is not Jonathan. There seems to be somewhat of a loose Jonathan requirement to get into that club, you know?
One wonders what the female equivalent of that club is. The blurb under the cartoon implied that The Jonathans need to exist, in part, because of their maleness, because they're in dialogue with masculinity. Still, does that mean I have to go to chick lit to join a club? Hope not.