Blyth the audio book is narrated by Toni Lewis, a TV actress. I have not seen her in anything. She has a pleasant voice, well suited for this line of work.
I don't know if this is normal in audio books, but here Lewis makes an effort to "get in character" a number of times throughout the reading. She clearly adopts a different type of voice for Blyth - a little lighter, a little gentler. When reading newspaper reviews, she talks a little faster, more hyperbolically, as if she was in a Jimmy Cagney movie. She even attempts accents for people such as Blyth's Irish mother, though they're not very pronounced. The experience is not unlike listening to an old-time radio drama.
Those who followed Jacqueline's blog in 2014 will recognize the chapters here as having been adapted and polished from the blog and put in chronological order, covering the whole of Blyth's life and career, including her work on stage and television. There are even testimonials from other film bloggers. The whole thing is as comprehensive as one can imagine. One can only hope Blyth herself (or her children) gets to see this before she shuffles off this mortal coil.
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| Pearls = classy. |
We have come to practically demand scandal from our celebrities. As a biographer, of course you want to present your subject in the best possible light, but as a reader, you tend to wonder: where's the struggle with alcohol? The abusive parent? The bitter spouse?
It's possible in ten years, another biography will be more forthcoming - assuming there's anything more to be found. I can't imagine another biography being more complete. For now, though, Blyth is a thorough, respectful and insightful portrait of a woman who succeeded in Hollywood on her terms, written by an author who loves old movies.
[Edited 12.5.16]
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Previously:
Meet Me in Nuthatch
Thanks so much for reviewing the audio book, Rich. I really didn't expect this, and I appreciate it. One thing though: I never stated up front that I chose to ignore any and all controversy. I only stated that the book was about her career, not her personal life. No person's life is without trouble or controversy. But the book I wrote was an analysis of her work. While I admit that most film star biographies concern themselves with personal problems and not with the career aspect in detail, that was never the kind of book I intended to write. The nuts and bolts of the job is what fascinates me. Also, your assumption that Ms. Lewis' service "cost a pretty penny" is not accurate, but I won't go into the financial details of the agreement between the narrator and myself, as that would be inappropriate. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I was thinking about things you said elsewhere, like in our interview or something. I honestly thought you talked about avoiding controversy and maybe I got it entangled with the text of the book. My mistake. Regardless, thanks for letting me check out your book.
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