Appalling Narration

Usually if one of three narrators is off, you can skip it, and let the other two carry the story. Alas, in 'What a Way to Go,' all three are unbearable. Gabrielle Glaister, who reads the role of Mrs Olivia Wistern, has a terrible habit of punching every second syllable of every word she reads, similar stylistically to an evangelical preacher. To add insult to injury, the volume of her voice rises to nearly a screech and then lowers to nearly inaudible so many times in a single paragraph that it's impossible to moderate it by adjusting the speakers. Either way, you're bound to hear every second syllable at top volume, and the balance of each paragraph not at all. Colin Mace, who reads the part of Mr Antony Wistern, is the most listenable of the three but that's only because his voice is lower, which hides a lot of sins. The fact that much of the novel is narrated by his character from beyond the grave in some sort of fantastical "afterlife" is the icing on the crap cake. The part of the true crime junkie is read by Kimberley Capero, who swallows too many consonants, and the character she plays is insufferable. If you must read this book, read it in print.

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