Audio Book Readers

[pjkelly]

Mr. Burke,
My family recently moved back to the US after a 6-plus year stay in Asia. Life in Tokyo, Japan was wonderful, but the nightmarish stories about the commuter trains during rush hour are completely true. I honestly don't know how I would have managed the 25 minute commute from Toritsu-daigaku station to Kamiyacho station in the morning without your audio books. I would ready myself on the platform, and when the train arrived, I would sandwich myself in between dozens of harried passengers who seemed at best resigned, and at worst, miserable. My arms would be pinned at my side, so it was essential that my iPod be at the ready in my left palm. The doors would shut, the scrum would tighten, and when I established a sustainable position, I would shut my eyes, press the button, and off I would go......
I have read all your novels from the Robicheaux series, and listened to a favorite five more than once. To make a person forget the misery of a sardine-like commute is no mean feat, and you, with the magical assistance of Will Patton, carried me along Bayou Teche and made me "think alive" while I was willing my physical person away inside that train car. The audio book experience can be hit or miss, but your prose and Mr. Patton's rendering made my commute so transcendant that if Wee Willie and Nig offered to spring me from that Tokyo train in exchange for my iPod, my response would have been a simple "no dice.."
Keep em' coming, and keep Mr. Patton busy. It is a source of fascination how one man can so authentically re-create the voice of so many well drawn characters, and I can't wait for the next batch. In this New Yorker's opinion, Patton's Clete Purcell is unmatched, and that Irish Channel accent makes me wonder if Clete's parents didn't leave Flatbush in the middle of the night for a Big Easy that was anything but....
Best Wishes,
PJ Kelly

[jamesleeburke]

That's a great endorsement, Mr. K. An author could not have a better one.

All the best,

JLB

[rjmiddle]

I have been trying to listen to Last Car for over two years and just cannot get through it. Mark Hammer's voice is so garbled and it actually sounds like he has had too much to drink. On the other hand, I listen and relisten to the one's that Will Patton has read. He is most denfinately my favorite. With the start of a new year, who knows, I may finish listening to Last Car by the end of 2011.

Jude M.

[jamesleeburke]

I suspect the tape may be impaired, Mr. M. The problem you describe doesn't sound like Mark.

Best,

JLB

[leoauthor1970]

I've gone through all the Robicheaux novels (several more than once) by audio book. A few weeks ago, I was referring a good frined to the novels, trying to get him hooked as well. He asked me how I would best describe the books, and Burke's writing. All that I could come up with is "I have to keep reminding myself that these (the charcters) aren't real people. And then I'm genuinely disappointed to be reminded of it. It feels like that I could, at any time, just arrive in New Iberia, look them up, and invite them out for po' boys and 3 fingers of whiskey with a Jack's back. Oh, and a Dr. Pepper with cherries and orange slices for Dave."

His reply? "That's the true sign of a great writer."

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, noble mon.

Best,

JLB

[leoauthor1970]

You're welcome.

[Ingrid]

I agree! Will Patton brings Dave and Clete alive through his voice and I sincerely hope Will Patton will always be the reader. There is no match. He knows when to read a phrase quickly or stretch it out at precisely the right time. Mr. Burke, you are such a brilliant writer. You so beautifully define your characters and their flaws, I just shake my head in amazement -- thank you!!

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Ms. I.

Keep the faith,


JLB