Adult Fiction
Read
by Kellie Jones
‘Catherine
Bateson is a gifted poet and to hear her novel performed brings the
story to life powerfully. The experience of listening to a verse
novel, especially such a well-written one, is a rich experience that
enhances understanding. Kellie Jones captures the different
characters’ voices and the story flows beautifully. I listened
to this novel in one sitting, absorbed in the world Bateson builds
with her verse.’
Sharon
Hayes, Viewpoint
vol 16 no 1 Autumn 2008 p43
Goldsworthy,
Peter — Maestro
Read
by Paul English
‘Maestro is one of those audio books that had me sitting in the car for an
extra twenty minutes to finish the tape … Paul English is an
accomplished actor; he won the Adult Narrator of the Year award in
2002. He reads well and has a fine appreciation for different
characters. I found it easy to identify with his interpretation of
the text and enjoyed the warmth with which he portrayed the two main
characters.’
Mariana
du Toit, Viewpoint
13 no 1,Autumn 2005 p39-40
Read
by Francis Greenslade
‘Kerry
Greenwood tells a well-crafted story that is in part inspired by
family history … Francis Greenslade’s voice lends an
authentic air to this historical novel capturing English and Welsh
accents beautifully. The characters come to life as Francis provides
distinctive voices for them. The listener feels totally absorbed in
the historical period. Journey
to Eureka was a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience.’
Sharon
Hayes, Viewpoint
vol 14 no 3 Spring 2006 p43
Robertson,
Deborah — Careless
Read
by Jane Nolan
‘Careless,
Deborah Robertson’s first novel, explores the aspects of human
nature that could be labelled good and evil but are, more often than
not, acts of carelessness … Deborah Robertson skilfully
explores grief, how we acknowledge it personally and as a society,
using memorials as a vehicle … Listening to this novel was
like having a conversation. Robertson’s characters were so real
and well placed in their environments and Jane Nolan’s
narration so convincing that I felt transported into time, place and
emotion.’
Suzie
Hicks, Viewpoint
16, vol 2 Winter 2008 p49
Caddie: The Autobiography of a Sydney Barmaid
Caddie is the gripping real life story of a Sydney
barmaid. Caddie falls in love with John Marsh when she is twenty-one
and she feels like the happiest girl alive. But two years later,
he doesn't appreciate her nor love her anymore. So Caddie runs away
with her two young children, Terry and Ann. But how will she find
a job which pays enough to support her and her children? She starts
off working as a waitress then moves on to being a barmaid. She
faces many troubles and has to change homes and jobs several times,
but despite it all, she never gives up.
Caddie is an amazing story and despite it being so long I couldn't stop
listening to it (despite my Mum grumbling at 10.p.m.!) It is very well
narrated.
Stephanie Ferguson Age 11 years Lollipops what's on for kids
April/ May 1999 p.19
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Gow, Michael - Away
Set in the summer of 1967-68, Away by Michael
Gow is a play of discovery and reconciliation, precipitated by the
main character, 16 year old Tom, who is dying. It also looks at
the social structure in Australia at the time through the focus
on three quite different families 'away' on holidays. However, the
play transcends time and place through the universality of its themes
which are underscored by Shakespearean references.
Produced by Karl Hughes, this audio version of Away is complete and unabridged
as published by Currency Press, Revised Edition, 1998. The rhythm and
clarity of Gow's dialogue is well sustained. Characterisations are strong
and relationships between characters are clearly established.
The performance of the play is preceded by a comprehensive
introduction by Mybrit Ackerholt which looks closely at themes and
issues. This is followed by a complementary commentary, The Play
on Stage by Richard Wherrett, which explores structure and staging.
These offer valuable critical insights into Away. However,
I would suggest that for most students it would be best to hear
them after the reading of the play, using them for active listening.
Away is most suitable for senior students. I have found the print text to be well received by PAS English classes. This audio cassette would
enhance a class reading of that text. It would be most suitable for study
by visually impaired students or students with a reading disability as
a text in its own right.
Sue Cook, Loreto College, SA SAETA Review
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Weller, Archie - Going Home
This audio package comprises eight cassettes and has a running time of
approximately ten hours.
For those unfamiliar with the work of Archie Weller,
Going Home presents a powerful, entertaining and poignant
collection of stories about contemporary Aboriginal life in urban
and rural Western Australia. This package contains a total of ten
stories read by David Tredinnick, including Herbie, Pension
Day and Violet Crumble.
This anthology will have a number of applications in the classroom for
students in years 10-12, ranging from units focussing on indigenous issues
and authors in English, to students gaining a broader understanding and
appreciation of issues covered in Australian Studies.
This audio version of Going Home is very well read by Tredinnick and
will maintain the interest and attention of listeners throughout.
There are several areas which would have benefited from
further attention, however. Nowhere are the titles of the individual
stories listed, which means you will have to listen to the beginning
of each cassette to determine where each story is located. An index
was a surprising omission in this regard. A synopsis of each story
would also have been a useful inclusion to enable easier selection.
Warren Eaton, Brighton Secondary College, SA SAETA Review
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