Aloha – I’m a big fan of audiobooks. I have an active account and have also placed all five of the Orion’s Spur series into ACX audiobooks. I worked for a year with voice talent Matthew David Hopkins. I knew at the time he was very talented from the samples and then the product he delivered. It wasn’t until the books were published in audible book format that I realized just how lucky I was. He not only got the words, but the feeling of the characters down pat. Sure, I’ve seen half a dozen glitches as I relistened to all five books, but I have to give him an A for his performances.
Now, I realized how lucky I really was. I am a huge Robert Heinlein fan. I’ve read and re-read many of his books. On a road trip we listened to two of his books along with a couple of Jane Austin titles. Since then I have listened to two more titles. A well known actor narrated those two titles and he butchered the books. I struggled through one, and then desperate I finally gave him a second chance. No good. If I listen to any more of Heinlein’s great works, it will have to be a different narrator.
So, kudos to Matthew for a job not only well done, but for doing a great job on the narration.