Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Bathsheba revealed

Lovely review of the audiobook edition of A Peek at Bathsheba:
  • ConvokeUSA11-19-14
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
  • "Bathsheba revealed"
    If you could sum up A Peek at Bathsheba in three words, what would they be?
    Inventive. Intimate. Surprising.

    What other book might you compare A Peek at Bathsheba to and why?
    Poznansky's work with biblical characters is a modernist look at ancient tales, which few do as well today. If I had to compare it to other works, I'd choose John Barth's Chimera, for the way both authors give a surprising immediacy to the story and remake the characters with more modern sensibilities, or The Last Temptation of Christ by Kazantzakis for its use of graphic language.

    Have you listened to any of Justin Harmer’s other performances before? How does this one compare? 
    I had not heard Justin Harmer's work before I listened to the Bathsheba sample, when I marveled at what a perfect choice Poznansky had made to narrate this book. His delivery is smooth and always appropriate, his pronunciations correct, and he adds his own verve. Having read the book previously, I will say that Harmer made the story different from the way I heard it in my head, bringing out surprising nuances. I'll need to listen to other books that he's narrated and I have read make comparisons.

    If you could rename A Peek at Bathsheba, what would you call it? 
    Behind Bathsheba

    Any additional comments?
    Wonderful melding of story and narrator. Recommended for YA and adult readers comfortable with strong, modern language in a biblical setting.



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