I love audiobooks. I don’t know if it’s because they allow me to listen while I do other things, or because I’m old and my eyes don’t focus like I used to. People say that listening to a book doesn’t count as reading it, but why would you want to talk to those people? They sound really fun at parties.
A few months ago, Sir Patrick Stewart’s book came out, read by the author, and it’s one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever experienced. Sometimes the author’s voice is just as important as what they have to say.
So when Dame Judi Dench’s book was announced shortly after this I quickly pre-ordered, frustrated to realize that it was released months ago in the UK but would wait for April 23 for a US release. Well, today is that day!
I was immediately disappointed to see that Dame Judi doesn’t narrate the book. That’s it, I want my money back. When she recited Sonnet 29 on the Graham Norton show, time damn near stopped. I must have played that clip two dozen times.
But wait, let’s not be hasty. I listen to the author’s introduction and quickly learn how this is going to go. This isn’t really an autobiography, like Sir Patrick’s book. It is more of a collection of interviews. Okay, that’s fine. He goes on to say that the voice will occasionally switch to Dame Judi herself (minus the too many F-bombs he had to edit :), so maybe it’ll be okay.
The first chapter, Macbeth, is literally nothing but Dench walking through the play, scene by scene, discussing in minute detail how to portray Lady Macbeth. I think I’m going to love this.
The Folger Shakespeare Library’s podcast (Shakespeare Unlimited) just interviewed Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea, and they talked largely about this book. Fascinating. If you’re on the fence about buying this book, listen to that podcast: It’ll throw you over.
kj (Bardfilm)