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Original poster

Does anyone else struggle with audiobook narrators, or does it improve?

143 replies

PaperFlyingFucks · 05/09/2026 20:57

I've recently got an audible subscription and have listened to a few books whilst getting on in the house, car, commute etc. However, I really struggle to get on with the narrators - does any one else have this problem? As it's new will it pass with time? I don't think I can choose a narrator. It's amazing the difference it makes!

OP posts:
CharlotteSometimes1 · 06/09/2026 07:33

Much to my surprise the worst narrator I heard was Bob Mortimer reading his own book.

DisforDarkChocolate · 06/09/2026 07:33

I have learnt the hard way to listen to the sample.

I had to stop listening to one recently because one of the characters had a comedy accent and it was very distracting.

What sort of books do you like @PaperFlyingFucks we may be able recommended some good narrator

purplegrinch · 06/09/2026 07:32

Yep. I can’t listen if the narrator is a Australian at all and some American voices are a no no, yet my favourite narrator is a male American.

I really love the Strike books as Robert Glenister’s narration is too notch.

If something were narrated by David Tennant I’d be reaching for the refund button as well!

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 06/09/2026 07:32

Big shout out to Kobna Holdbrook-Smith for his brilliant narration of the Rivers of London series!

I run audio books overnight to help me sleep so I have an enormous library of them and also very distinct likes and dislikes. For example, I LOVE Bill Bryson's books, but can only listen to the ones he narrates himself. William Gibson narrates some and, to me, he has a whiny, nasal American accent which I just can't listen to. Likewise, some female narrators have a voice that is too high pitched for comfortable listening, and I cannot overcome the narrator, however much I might want to listen to the book.

makeaplantpot · 06/09/2026 07:28

Another vote for Juliet Stevenson. Authors reading their own fiction generally don't work for me.

EmpressaurusKitty · 06/09/2026 07:28

My absolute favourites are the Phyllida Nash narrations of Georgette Heyer books, but I can only get those on BorrowBox.

toastycold · 06/09/2026 07:23

YouCanDanceSaidVodka · 06/09/2026 07:13

Anything read by Juliet Stevenson is wonderful. Such a lovely voice.

Totally agree. Her narration of Miss Benson’s Beetle is sublime.

I can’t listen to any book read in American accents unfortunately. It’s annoying but I’m hoping one day we’ll be able to change the narrator with a click of a button. Now that would be transformative.

newseries · 06/09/2026 07:15

The absolute worst is books where there’s a ‘common’ or lower class character and a posh narrator who puts on a bad cockney accent. Extra points if they say ‘bleedin’”

ThePM · 06/09/2026 07:14

there are a few AI narrations which I loathe.

also hate it when the narrator mispronounces words - A peak example was a pronunciation of Himalayas as Him—aal-yas (3 syllables and not 4!)

YouCanDanceSaidVodka · 06/09/2026 07:13

Anything read by Juliet Stevenson is wonderful. Such a lovely voice.

SucculentsAnd · 06/09/2026 07:09

5682Jhd · 05/09/2026 21:00

I always prefer it when the author is narrating. Recently listened to Marian Keyes narrating her old Walsh Sister series of books and Kathy Burkes and Cher’s autobiography that they both narrated themselves and really enjoyed them.

Some are dreadful at reading aloud, though. Donna Tartt reading The Secret History is godawful.

WintersFrog · 06/09/2026 07:08

I always, always, listen to the preview first.

EmpressaurusKitty · 06/09/2026 06:59

Accents do matter. I started listening to a story about a Victorian woman & her family visiting Egypt, told in the first person, but had to stop because the American narrator’s constant use of ‘my poppa’ was driving me nuts.

GustyGertie · 06/09/2026 00:33

BigWig78 · 05/09/2026 20:58

I have to listen to an excerpt as it makes a huge difference to me. YANBU

This

middleagedmermaid · 05/09/2026 23:28

I love an audio book but I can't stick with it if I don't like the narrator. I have loved the Harry Potter full cast audio editions but they do require the focus and attention of a movie so found myself drifting back to the Stephen Fry editions for relaxation and whilst doing activities. I also got so settled with the Phillipa Gregory novels read Emelia Fox, I just don't get on with the ones she doesn't do! I'm sure somebody has recommended already but make sure you listen a sample before you use your credits on a title ❤️ happy listening!

honeyfox · 05/09/2026 23:18

I don't usually listen to audiobooks at all but was in the car when my husband was listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl and I absolutely loved the narrator of that! And it's not the type of book I would ever listen to.

Mumteedum · 05/09/2026 23:15

IlovePostitnotes · 05/09/2026 23:12

Really rate Jonathan Keeble who narrates the Ryan books by LJ Ross.

He's good fun!

Mumteedum · 05/09/2026 23:15

ShrubRose · 05/09/2026 21:34

Another one here who can't stand American narrators.

And another!

Richard Armitage is fantastic and so is Nicola Walker.

IlovePostitnotes · 05/09/2026 23:12

Really rate Jonathan Keeble who narrates the Ryan books by LJ Ross.

Pinkissmart · 05/09/2026 22:20

Daisy Jones and the Six and Project Hail Mary had amazing narrations.

I can’t continue a book if I don’t like the narrator.

HowardTJMoon · 05/09/2026 21:46

I tend to prefer narrators whose voice matches the book, so a female narrator where the main character is a woman, an American narrator where the setting is America and so on.

There are a number of audiobooks I've given up on because the narrator just sucks. Bad accents are a particular bugbear of mine. If a minor character is supposed to be Irish but the narrator's American then I'd much prefer that character to be narrated in a good American accent than a bad Irish one.

ShrubRose · 05/09/2026 21:34

Another one here who can't stand American narrators.

ShrubRose · 05/09/2026 21:32

DeeferDogg · 05/09/2026 21:15

Steven Pacey is a superb narrator.

Completely agree. He did all the Simon Serrailler books by Susan Hill.

nopiesleftinthisvehicle · 05/09/2026 21:24

I recently listened to Gisele Pelicot's book. It was exquisitely read with perfect French from time to time.
I was surprised at the end to hear it was read by Emma Thompson!

HeatwaveHoratio · 05/09/2026 21:17

Reading a book and writing a book are two different skills and I don’t agree that an author reading their own book always works!

i also listen to previews first.

I’ve enjoyed Precipice like a pomp, and the narrator of Land (current listen) is excellent too.

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