The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie was discussed by all the Gals as part of our Three Gals Talking: Three Gal Favorites event. There’s a review hidden in that event so here it is.

Narrated by Angela Dawe

Melinda: I read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (TMOLIM) in print about the time it came out – there was so much buzz in Romancelandia, and I just had to know what everyone was talking about. Of course, that never stops me from getting it in audio – in fact, the opposite is often true that I’m even more excited about an audio of a favorite book! The way Jennifer Ashley describes Ian’s POV and writes dialog is so poetic, so perfect, that I wasn’t sure how narrator Angela Dawe could capture it. But did she ever! The pauses, the almost monotone, emotionless speaking, his obvious confusion over Beth’s reactions…

Lea: And to think that even with the emotionless speaking and the required monotone for a hero with Asperger’s Syndrome (a high-functioning form of autism), there wasn’t a boring moment. Dawe’s understated and completely “right on” characterization of Ian MacKenzie still amazes me a little to this day.

Brenda: I was a little burned out with Angela Dawe from Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series and her elongated pausing so I was a little worried when she was announced as the narrator of a favorite print read. But the minute I heard Ian’s voice, she had me and then she drew me in further. Not only did she perform Ian with a delicious raspy Scots burr but she captured his unique personality exactly the way Jennifer Ashley had written him. Then there was Ian’s valet, Curry – a character I hadn’t noticed much when reading in print – jumping off the page with the perfectly suited accent and personality. Curry understood and respected Ian and defended him in a way that was evident in audio, enhancing the experience. And that was all in the first chapter. The listen only improved from there as the true Beth came to life and then Ian’s brothers and…. well you’ll have to listen yourself to really understand.

Lea: I guess you could say I was guardedly enthusiastic when I discovered Tantor was releasing TMOLIM in audio. I too couldn’t keep that bit of doubt from creeping in – how could a narrator ever capture the complexity of Ian – a sexy yet autistic hero? He’s one of the most unusual heroes I’ve read and his tale in print was extremely popular. Talk about high expectations. But not only was Dawe’s interpretation of Ian all I hoped it would be but she scored with her depiction of Beth as well – letting us hear her strength and sensitivity without words.


Narration:  A

Book Content:  A

Steam Factor: For your burning ears only

Violence:  Fighting

Genre:  Historical Romance

Publisher:  Tantor Audio

 

 

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