Terrible reading

What didn’t you like about David Colacci’s performance?

He makes many of the Italian characters sound as if they were trying to speak English, however, Donna Leon writes, in English admittedly, about Italians who are actually speaking their mother tongue. David Colacci appears to assume that non-Americans are too stupid to speak their own languages properly. This attitude made me so angry that I finished reading the book instead of listening to it.

5 people found this helpful

Urgh - the narration!

I really could have done without the American narrator putting on cod ‘foreign’ accents for key characters. Here’s a thought: Italian people don’t sound to other Italian people like they are putting on an Italian accent. Just read the ruddy story! I finished this one off on the kindle instead.

2 people found this helpful

Dreadful narration

Having listened to all the Brunetti books with narration by David Rintoul I decided I wanted to continue listening to the series so needed to change narrator. I got about 10 minutes in and had to stop. Dreadful, patronising, stilted, American reading. So that's it for me and this series, unless they hire David Rintoul again!

1 person found this helpful

beautifully written thriller

a bit slow to start but very interesting insight into venetian life. Well written characters and a good ending.

1 person found this helpful

Another Italian triumph

Would you listen to A Sea of Troubles again? Why?

I really enjoy all of Donna Leon's books as they create a good view of Venice!

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Sea of Troubles?

I particularly enjoy the descriptions of meals which evoke images of wonderful Italian cuisine.

What does David Colacci bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I have always enjoyed having stories read to me.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Brunetti solves the case again!

1 person found this helpful

A Sea of Troubles

Unlike some reviewers I found the narration tolerable, if quite eccentric at times. The novel is well written, driven as much by character development and interaction as plot. I would recommend persevering with the narration as the story is well worth it.

Nice story, regrettably bad performance

While I greatly appreciated the story, especially its setting in the townships in the outer lagoon, I constantly irritated by the performer’s horrible attempt to render Italian accents in the dialogues. I would also have preferred a European speaker.

Great book , disappointing narration

I found the narration irritating- American accent. Donna Leon stories always well written so preserved!!

Had to stop listening

I usually read this series but thought I’d try this on audiobooks. I’m afraid I couldn’t get on with the narration. A weird mixture of accents and also rather slow. Gave up after a couple of chapters - about to buy the book! Can’t review the story yet but had to give a star to complete the review.

Thrilling conclusion!

I don't often write reviews but this was an Audible 'page-turner'!
Having set the 'Sleep Timer' for 15 minutes I had to repeat the process 3 times to finish the book last night.