Thank you, Colin Firth.
Your voice added depth and meaning to a piece of literature which previously left me feeling profoundly indifferent. It's been ten years since I read The End of the Affair by Graham Greene. My reaction at the time was one of total apathy - no connection, no sympathy, not so much as a trace of like or dislike toward any of the characters. Greene's prose elicited a similarly flat response.
However, listening to you read Greene's work was a very moving, albeit depressing, experience. So depressing, in fact, it took weeks to finish a short six and a half hour audiobook. (I put it aside several times to read something cheerier.) How did that feeling elude me in print?
Several weeks have passed, and I continue to think about an audiobook that left no lasting impression in print. As various passages come to mind, I marvel the sheer beauty of Greene's writing. I still don't care much for the story, but I can appreciate what Greene accomplished and will now consider reading more of his work.
This production is a testament to audiobooks and the power of the spoken word.
Full disclosure: I downloaded a free copy of this audiobook during a recent promotion at audible.com.
Don't you just want to hug him and make him feel better after having to read this depressing book? Thanks again for telling us about this. I have this on my Ipod, yet to be listened to.)
ReplyDeleteAudrey - My advice is to wait until after the holidays. The End of the Affair is just too depressing for this time of year.
DeleteIn the end, I think I appreciated this story but it took me a long time to get there. The writing I was able to acknowledge throughout as being terrific but I still don't know if I could read a full novel. Unless...did Colin Firth read any of Greene's other works, maybe??
ReplyDeleteLisa - Maybe we should petition Colin Firth to read more of Greene's novels. It could be the only way many of us will ever read them!
DeleteYour heads up is how I landed this one too! I recently watched a movie version of this book and actually enjoyed it. I wonder what I will make of the audio? But Colin should make it all good!!!
ReplyDeleteStaci - Thanks for reminding me... I meant to add this to my Netflix queue ages ago!
DeleteI still haven't found my way back to listening!
ReplyDeleteSoftdrink - I can certainly understand why... this is one depressing novel!
DeleteNow I want to listen to this! The End of the Affair is one of the books on my tbr list for Project Fill-in-the-Gaps. I had no idea how I was going to get through it. Now I know! Great post.
ReplyDeleteVasilly - You might want to wait until after the holidays... it is incredibly depressing.
DeleteJoAnn,
ReplyDeleteYou've spoken my heart! That was how I felt ... not only depressing, but you can feel his anger and bitterness towards the whole affair, and he sounds soo personal, like speaking right beside you. I must thank you again for introducing me to this audiobook and now your open letter to Colin Firth. I hope he'll come across it in the Internet.
Oh, Arti - Personal is the perfect word for this narration... it is painfully personal and the work of a truly talented narrator (actor). I am very happy to have shared this audiobook with you.
DeleteUm, did you have anything to say? I keep getting lost in the photo of Colin ... LOL. Wow. I would have never thought of rereading this one, even with Colin Firth reading, but now? Going on my list.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - I'll settle for any excuse to post a photo of Colin Firth on this blog, lol! Seriously though, it was a truly amazing audio experience... and I don't even like the book that much.
ReplyDeleteThis was an incredible listening experience...Greene can definitely write, but seriously depressing like you said. Of course, Firth could read the dictionary and I'd swoon.
ReplyDeleteMelody - Colin Firth's performance is nothing short of amazing. If he recorded the dictionary, or even the phone book, I would purchase the audio version!
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