I’m watching huge, wet April snowflakes fall outside the window of my study this morning! It’s a good day to brew some tea and work on my latest project: producing an audiobook edition of The Gondola Maker, my historical novel set in 16th-century Venice.
I am a big fan of audiobooks and I know many of you are too. I’m looking forward to getting the audio version out for those of you who enjoy books in the car, at the gym, while walking the dog or doing chores.
I’ve had a wonderful response to my call for a professional narrator to portray the voice of Luca Vianello, the 22-year-old son of the most renowned gondola maker in Renaissance Venice. If you have a few minutes to listen to the following audio clips, I would love your feedback!
Who is the voice of Luca? Click the links below to hear the auditions:
Audition 1
Audition 2
Audition 3
Audition 4
Audition 5
Comment below and let me know which narration you like best.
UPDATE: Click here to find out which narrator I chose!
I am so grateful for your feedback. Thank you, friends, and buon ascolto (happy listening)!
This is hard!! Are 4 and 5 the same actor, just with different accents? Not a fan of 4 at all…the English accent doesn’t fit. I think I like #2, then #1 although #1’s accent is also not right, but the voice is pleasing for a long read.
Probably not too helpful, I realize!
My writing partner is going through this same exercise right now trying to choose a voice actor for her novel. Both fun and daunting at the same time. Her book is set in medieval India so the accent makes a big difference for her as well.
Thank you, Crystal! You are right… It is fun and HARD. When you are dealing with historical fiction it’s tough to convey the time and place through a contemporary voice. Also, in the U.S. we have the unfortunate stereotype of what constitutes an “Italian” accent… All of these narrators are professionals and they are great at what they do. It is a tough choice! Thank you for your input.
No 3………his voice transported me back to Venice
Thank you, KB! Really appreciate your feedback. –Laura
Of these choices #5 is probably the best. Seems it is hard to get the accent right.
I like Audition 2! His voice isn’t too deep…and his accent is just enough to where it’s discernable but not distracting.