Uvi Poznansky: December 2014

Thousands of years later, we’ve rediscovered the power and presence of the human voice in the telling of new tales. Digital technology has made the recording and delivery of high-quality audio narration both convenient and affordable. Now storytellers everywhere are lifting their words from the page (or pixel) and breathing new life into their tales through audio fiction podcasts and audiobooks.

Translating a written tale into an audio presentation has unique rewards and challenges… and that’s the terrain we set out explore on this Roundtable Dialogue episode.

Facilitated by Dave Robinson, here is an inspiring conversation between Tom Barczak, Walter Rhein, Janet and Chris Morris and yours truly. This is a panel of astonishing artists and storytellers who have expressed their tales beautifully in both formats. Together, we set out to examine this old/new art form, sharing observations and insights to better understand the new oral tradition. Click and take a listen: Audiobooks, the new Oral tradition.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Artful, courageous and powerful

I am thrilled to find this review, written by the high-ranking Amazon reviewer and author of historical fiction books, Christoph Fischer. This is what he says about The David Chronicles: Trilogy:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great series December 20, 2014

By ChristophFischerBooks TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition

"Rise to Power (The David Chronicles)" by Uvi Poznansky is another eye opening book, based on a biblical theme but written with a modern mind and perspective. Without corrupting the original historic-biblical story Poznansky takes us into the world and minds of well known biblical figures, such as the first King of Israel, his rivals and his lovers.
A man of flesh and blood, with sexual urges, pride and huge powers of reflection and analysis David is a superb character, real, with bite and of the human race - quite different from the biblical myth that has been created around him.
We see him as he slowly rises to power, from a small soldier to military leader, his military campaigns, his ambitions and the rivalry over the throne; we see the husband to Michal - his first wife and the sometimes strange 'renaissance' man. The novel is historical fiction, biblical fiction and simply excellent fiction.
“A Peek at Bathsheba” by Uvi Poznansky is yet another one of her great Bible-inspired books. Nobody understands better to utilise existing stories that many of us are familiar with already – at least to some extent – and give them a new lease of life, a new angle and makes us see different sides to those historical, religious and mythical characters. Who was David really? A hero or a product of his circumstances, of coincidence and skilled manipulation?
“The Edge of Revolt (The David Chronicles Book 3)” by Author Uvi Poznansky is another amazing and spell binding book about the biblical King David. We meet him at a progressed age where his family life is turned upside down by the sexual escapes of his children, mainly that of his son Amnon.
To see his own reflection in the son who inherited the lust from David himself was one of the most extraordinary moments in reading this novel for me.
Such are the thoughtful illustrations of a well-known biblical character, modernised by language and brought to contemporary relevance. Humanised to flesh and blood we get to experience what often had the mere relevance as a myth, fable or saga. This is a powerful portrayal of the man behind the myth. Not always as we would like to see it, but brought to life with poignancy and depth.
The writing is sharp and beautiful, the characters hard to forget and the story well developed.
A psychological profile, a story of king, his family and ancient Israel, this has something for historians and fans of modern literature. Artful, courageous and powerful.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Poetic and Seductive

Today I discovered a beautiful review written by the poet, author and book reviewer, Clarissa Simmens. This is what wrote for the audiobook edition of my novel, Apart From Love:

Clarissa SimmensFL United States12-27-14

Overall

Performance

Story
"Poetic and Seductive"

What did you love best about Apart from Love?

The different levels in the story: mythological, philosophical, and romantic.

What other book might you compare Apart from Love to and why?

The three aunts—the Fates—snipping and knitting, moving amongst the lives of the main characters. Also, there is the basic story of the love triangle of Ben, his father Lenny, and Anita (the young wife who is replacing Ben’s mother) that is reminiscent of Oedipus Rex: kill the father and marry the stepmother. Because of these parallels, I see this as a potential Greek tragedy that may have been written in ancient times.

Have you listened to any of David Kudler and Heather Jane Hogan ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I enjoyed their performances and would certainly look for additional audibles featuring them.

If you could take any character from Apart from Love out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Anita. Despite being uneducated, poor and seemingly a home wrecker, she shows--surprisingly--much wisdom. She is fiercely protective of her unborn child and the reader/listener will have no doubt that Anita will be a superior mother.

Any additional comments?

The best part of a Poznansky book? The poetic prose, her seductive words, that make each book well worth listening to or reading.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Holiday treats from my kitchen

I go all out when I throw a party. Indulge!

Monday, December 22, 2014

A Literary Gem!

Here is a lovely new audible review, written by Aaron Paul Lazar. Aaron is a mystery writer author, and many of his books have audiobook editions. I am thrilled by what he says about the narration of A Peek at Bathsheba:

Aaron P. LazarGeneseo, New York, United States12-22-14

Overall

Performance

Story
"A Literary Gem!"
A Peek at Bathsheba: The David Chronicles, Book 2, is a literary gem. Ms. Poznansky has paired her luscious telling of the life of David with a narrator most worthy. Mr. Justin Harmer's voice is liquid gold, with intonations so deft and moving that it's hard to imagine anyone else telling this story.

The story of David continues from Book 1, Rise to Power, through the third of the series, Edge of Revolt, just released. I plan to listen to the last book and hope Mr. Harmer will narrate this one as well.

David, the powerful narcissist who can wipe out entire villages with not a shred of guilt, yet who adores his (many) wives and children with most surprising tenderness, grows from youth to old man within the series. We experience frequent flashbacks or references to his youth in this story as well, which ties his life together very nicely.

I love Ms. Poznansky's evocative writing, and here is just one of many poetic scenes that moved me, describing David watching Bathsheba when she first came to his chambers:

"I sit at the edge of the bed, utterly fascinated by her beauty. Her
lashes are long, they flutter over her cheeks, and her hair waves
around her face with the rhythm of her steps. It glows like copper
under the flaming sconces, but when she crosses in front of the
window it turns blue against the moonshine."

You can call me a romantic, but this scene came alive for me with these and all of the well-chosen words in this novel.

Thank you, Ms. Poznansky, for allowing us to continue to believe that America still has great writers who carefully construct each sentence, and who can tell a great story at the same time.

- Highly recommended by Aaron Lazar

Pages

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The wind is singing winter blues

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Audiobooks, the new Oral tradition. Tales around a fire