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Original poster

Audiobook pet peeves

54 replies

Prrambulate · 23/12/2023 15:40

Just for fun, what small things grate on you in an audiobook, and sometimes even stop you from finishing it?

A while ago I listened to The Guest List by Lucy Foley and now, after experiencing “Jules”, I have a permanent aversion to posh, highly clipped female voices in an audiobook.

Male narrators reducing female characters to horrible high pitched voices is another!

OP posts:
U2HasTheEdge · 23/12/2023 18:20

When you can hear them swallow loudly.

Ladylacklustre · 23/12/2023 17:20

when characters make a phone call and they add a ‘phone call’ sound - Ruth Galloway series does this.

we know they are on the phone, it’s totally unnecessary.

Chamomileteaplease · 23/12/2023 17:14

I hope the producers of audiobooks read this thread! It's honestly not rocket science - your only brief is to get someone who can narrate properly 😂.

Ok my contribution:

Female narrators who make every man a gruff weirdo.
Male narrators who make every woman sound like Des Lawson.
Any narrator who makes children sound effing annoying.

Have to say, on a positive note I thought Sarah Winn did the child's voice in "When God was a Rabbit" really well. First I have heard.

When they speak in different volumes so it either hurts your ears or you can't hear but obviously don't want to be fiddling with the volume control.

When the author reads their own book. Look, you may be able to write but that doesn't mean you can perform well. Please leave it to the experts.

People like Dawn French and Graham Norton who can write a good yarn but you don't really want to listen to those voices for ten hours!

Again have to say Sarah Winn did hers exceptionally. Very impressed.

Love Audiobooks but producers please audition thoroughly!

AudiobookListener · 23/12/2023 17:05

Oh yes, agree with the falsetto males!

I can't listen to anyone who sounds spitty or breathy. Worst of all though is incorrect intonation because the narrator has no understanding of what they are reading.

And...weird long...pauses. IN. Randomplaces.