Audiobooks

There is certainly art in writing, but what about art in relaying the written word? My last two posts got me thinking about how art forms that are typically viewed one way can acquire deeper appreciation when processed differently than what is excepted and how perseverance pays off.

I just “read” The Tender Bar by J. R. Moehringer for my book group. I have been so busy that it’s been hard to find the luxury of leisure time to sit down and read a book. Usually it’s at night when I finally have the chance to do this and I have a Pavlov’s Dog response in falling asleep after the first page. I have found that downloading the books, when they are available through Audible.com, allows me to listen while I work or drive or on the computer. Sometimes I can’t multitask but certainly while I’m folding laundry and listening to my iPod, I can.

I am such a visual person that it helps to see the words as I read to remember them but with listening, it takes an extra mental step for me to visually process what is being said. I have found that this can be more memorable than just reading, especially when the narrator is an eloquent speaker.

At least this was the case with this particular book. It was poignant, involving an epic search for a father-figure and a self identity theme, as well as it was gritty and humorous. I was laughing and crying simultaneously and that rarely happens for me when I read, except with a few books. I think it was however, the fact that the author narrated how he wanted his book to be read and received. I was just as taken with what he had to say as how he said it. He was able to give personality to all his characters with different tonal inflections, including females. He brought them all to life and this was particularly difficult since he was relaying an autobiographical account of his own upbringing. It’s hard to remain detached about your own personal stuff. He seems to have found the right balance in his delivery, just as an objective reporter should but without lacking the human touch. Oh and for the perseverance part, as a writer struggling to get recognition and then did with his Pulitzer Prize article, this was the story he was meant to tell all along and I think it has paid off. I was very moved by its message and I would highly recommend it across the board — for women, mothers (particularly those of sons), men, fathers and even my pensive teenager. There are a lots of universal, life-lessons to be learned through this book and I see a birthday present soon on the horizon. Good thing he doesn’t read this blog. 🙂