The female voice.. .

  • This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

KAH

New Member
Jan 23, 2014
2
25
44
I am a new Stephen King fan. When I was younger I tried reading his books but, according to my superstitious christian parents, the author might as well have been Satan himself and so I never got very far before feeling too guilty (and creeped out) and putting them down. All grown up now, I am no longer subject to those beliefs, but I don't have time to read anymore, accept for children's bedtime stories. So, I listen to audio books while I perform mindless tasks. I have become utterly hooked on several of Stephen King's books this way. I just finished this one. It was mostly fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I got thinking about what I didn't enjoy about it though and found a common thread with issues I took with other Stephen King audio books. Its the women. I suspect that if I were reading them myself, I wouldn't have this problem.

His narrators are really great. I love their work, I really do. But, they are men pretending to be women. Most of the time, this isn't really an issue. However, when the character fills a romantic role in the story, these men in vocal drag create a disgust factor that makes the love stories hard to believe.

Am I right? Is it just an issue with the audio versions? I wish they'd get a female to read those lines. Keep the trend of narrators for the rest of it all. But when a woman is supposed to be lovely and fallen in love with, I think its important she have a beautiful voice. At least a female one. Just a thought.
 
Last edited:

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
Interesting perspective! I've never actually listened to an audiobook (I like my own 'head voices' too well--lol), but it makes sense that a man reading a woman's part (and vice versa) might be jolting. I've heard that audiobooks of romance-ish novels do usually have a male and female lead.

Welcome & thanks for posting :)
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
I've listened to numerous Stephen King audiobooks and never gave it a second thought about the female voice when the narrator was a male. When I read the books, I have my own voice for each character. I guess I just think of the audiobooks as an old radio show with one narrator doing all the parts. Imagination comes into play when it is a female character being read by a male/ and vise vera. I just get so involved within the story/ journey it makes no difference who is reading what character.
 

Walter Oobleck

keeps coming back...or going, and going, and going
Mar 6, 2013
11,749
34,805
I've only listened to one audio, Duma Key...well two, On Writing. But in Duma Key, the guy narrator nails Elizabeth I think but then I'm a guy... Have you listened to Duma Key? I'm afraid to post anything more since anything seems to be a spoiler to most folk. I also read the hardback several times. I'm trying to recall if the narrator's take on any of the other female characters made an impression. What was his daughter's name? Or Edgar's wife? Yeah, okay...but he did Elizabeth good, an older lady and some times she spoke just one word. Thought it worked well.
 

Cowboy

Lesser-Known Member
Feb 17, 2007
11,053
5,963
Calla Bryn Sturgis
Howdy and welcome to the playground. Very interesting take on the whole audio thing. I have never listened to an audio version of a book so I can't really speak out on it. Although I can say I enjoy the female voice when whispered into my ear, the lights turned down low, glass of wine close by....Oh wait, that is getting off subject. Another thread for another day.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
I've only listened to one audio, Duma Key...well two, On Writing. But in Duma Key, the guy narrator nails Elizabeth I think but then I'm a guy... Have you listened to Duma Key? I'm afraid to post anything more since anything seems to be a spoiler to most folk. I also read the hardback several times. I'm trying to recall if the narrator's take on any of the other female characters made an impression. What was his daughter's name? Or Edgar's wife? Yeah, okay...but he did Elizabeth good, an older lady and some times she spoke just one word. Thought it worked well.

Listened to and enjoyed Duma Key. Being a female I think the narrators tone was excellent for all the female characters. He caught Elizabeth as I pictured she in my mind( hardcover read). Pam, Edgar's wife and Ilse his daughter were spot on. Chills ran down the spine with the reading of Perse.
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Twasn't you, luv, it was Ghost 19. Be forewarned, fair maiden, I shall release the wrath of Depp!!!!
:biggrin2:

Oh yes, because forewarned is... (uh?) something. I can't remember... but it is probably something to do with--YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO THE DEPPTHS OF DEPPSPAIR IF YOU GO THERE!

:hmm: Yes, I think this was it...
 

Haunted

This is my favorite place
Mar 26, 2008
17,059
29,421
The woods are lovely dark and deep
542680~Welcome-Mat-on-Forest-Trail-Posters.jpg
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Listened to and enjoyed Duma Key. Being a female I think the narrators tone was excellent for all the female characters. He caught Elizabeth as I pictured she in my mind( hardcover read). Pam, Edgar's wife and Ilse his daughter were spot on. Chills ran down the spine with the reading of Perse.

Thanks Spidey, you've made me want to give this one a go on audio now... :)
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I am a new Stephen King fan. When I was younger I tried reading his books but, according to my superstitious christian parents, the author might as well have been Satan himself and so I never got very far before feeling too guilty (and creeped out) and putting them down. All grown up now, I am no longer subject to those beliefs, but I don't have time to read anymore, accept for children's bedtime stories. So, I listen to audio books while I perform mindless tasks. I have become utterly hooked on several of Stephen King's books this way. I just finished this one. It was mostly fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I got thinking about what I didn't enjoy about it though and found a common thread with issues I took with other Stephen King audio books. Its the women. I suspect that if I were reading them myself, I wouldn't have this problem.

His narrators are really great. I love their work, I really do. But, they are men pretending to be women. Most of the time, this isn't really an issue. However, when the character fills a romantic role in the story, these men in vocal drag create a disgust factor that makes the love stories hard to believe.

Am I right? Is it just an issue with the audio versions? I wish they'd get a female to read those lines. Keep the trend of narrators for the rest of it all. But when a woman is supposed to be lovely and fallen in love with, I think its important she have a beautiful voice. At least a female one. Just a thought.
Poor KAH - see what you have started now?
You must think we are all nuts here...