Narrated by Angela Dawe
Lea’s Take
There are those times when an author writes a book so perfectly fit to one’s reading tastes that you smile in amazement as you read and miss it greatly once you have turned the final page. Such was the case with Jennifer Ashley’s The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
When I heard that Tantor was releasing TMOLIM in audio format, I was what can be best described as guardedly enthusiastic. It had “big hit possibilities” written all over it if only a narrator could capture the complexity of Ian, a sexy yet autistic hero. He’s one of the most complex and unusual romance heroes I’ve encountered – talk about high expectations for an audio performance! And Tantor did an excellent job casting Angela Dawe in the role.
I interviewed Angela over at Speaking of Audiobooks in March of 2012 as we anxiously awaited the release of TMOLIM. Here are a few of her thoughts on performing Ian:
Lea: Ian Mackenzie is most definitely a complex hero. He touches the reader with his outright maleness as well as his autistic nature, which makes him both an outspoken and truly vulnerable character. How did you prepare for your performance of Ian?
Angela: I really wanted Ian to have a softness about him, despite his description as being hard in every way physically. His autistic nature made him so vulnerable, and the way he cared for Beth showed such a tenderness, I wanted to make sure that tenderness shone through in the characterization. For that reason, I made his voice a little on the soft side. I hope that that vulnerability shows in the way I performed him.
Lea: Did you find performing his character particularly challenging?
Angela: I didn’t. A character like Ian, whose behavior is so broad and who’s drawn with such broad strokes, really speaks for himself. I just tried to play him as humanly as possible, and let his actions do a lot of the talking.
I was absolutely thrilled with her performance. Not only was Dawe’s interpretation of Ian all I my mind envisioned when reading the print version (twice), but her depiction of Beth was stellar as well, exhibiting her strength and sensitivity without words.
Before I continue raving about the audio version, I’ll back up a bit and talk a bit about the setup. Ian Mackenzie leads a privileged life as the youngest brother of the Duke of Kilmorgan but it’s a challenging one. Ian has Asperger’s Syndrome – a high functioning form of autism. In an asylum for years, Ian now lives independently and is a well-loved member of his family. He’s gifted with a brilliant mind, a photographic memory, and bluntness that is characteristic of his autism.
In his inimitable way of knowing what he wants and speaking of it clearly, Ian meets Beth and decides then and there that he wants to marry her. It doesn’t take him long to do the asking either. Beth is a widow engaged to a most disagreeable man and Ian not only wants her for his wife but he also wants to protect her from the likes of her fiancé.
Beth is a gracious, good-natured heroine while Ian is every bit as sigh-worthy in audio as print. Maybe romance readers/listeners adore Ian’s directness and his inability to lie? That’s definitely the case for me and I prefer heroes who don’t talk a lot (big fan of the strong silent type). Or maybe it is his love for Beth that gets to us even though he most matter-of-factly believes he’s not capable of such a feeling.
Angela Dawe’s characterization of Ian is spot on and doesn’t vary from Ashley’s writing while her narration is of the quality that engages the listener, keeping the tension the author has crafted so successfully. And that ever so necessary measuring stick for my own listening enjoyment – the clear differentiation of characters – is highly effective. Instead of a deep voice, Ian sounds raspy while thoroughly male. The listener knows what a loving warm-hearted yet sensible woman Beth is merely by the hearing while Ian’s voice projects precisely (with a hint of monotone) who he is – a highly intelligent man not prone to a lot of talk unless necessary.
Jennifer Ashley and Angela Dawe prove to be a highly effective audio team, not only in TMOLIM, but the following three books in the series as well. I most highly recommend.
Lea Hensley
Narration: A
Book Content: A+
Steam Factor: For your burning ears only
Violence: Fighting
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Brenda’s Take
Having recently stated that Historical romance is no longer my genre of choice, I now have to backtrack. Jennifer Ashley caught me with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie and has yet to release me from the Historical world featuring this family. The Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift (a novella released at the end of 2012) brings all four brothers and their families together in one story – it was a delight. Ian was again the focal point though each brother had their moment. It too would make a highly desirable audiobook with Angela Dawe narrating. Hint, hint Tantor…
But now to be more specific as we review The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie in light of its 2012 Audie nomination. How does a madman become a hero you ask?
Scotsman Ian Mackenzie is brilliant if not sociable. He has three older brothers who love and support him at a time in history when it was easier to call one mad than to understand mental differences. Differences that give Ian a one track mind whether he pursues ancient Chinese bowls or a unique woman he desires. One he comes to value more than his porcelain.
Beth Ackerley has been through enough in her life to look past the common misconceptions about Ian to the man inside when they first meet at the opera. How can she not when he says things like:
“I can play this piece note for note,” Ian said, his breath warm in her ear. “But I cannot capture its soul”
“Oh.” She squeezed his hand, hurt for him welling up inside her
He almost said, Teach me to hear it as you do, but he knew that was impossible.
Or
“Not won’t” …love you… “I can’t love you.”
I beg your pardon?” She’d been using the phrase so often tonight.
“I am incapable of love…”
Beth wondered what was more heartbreaking, the words themselves or the flat tone of voice with which he delivered them.
How do you give the perfect inflection to a voice that has none? If you’re Angela Dawe you do it expertly with a delicious raspy Scots burr included. Her tone is not deep but definitely male in quality as she conveys that he is not flirtatious but has a genuineness of heart that is visceral. Her ability to impart Ian’s lack of connection to the world around him while still making him a compelling romance hero is remarkable.
This is just the beginning of what makes The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie a mesmerizing listen. We then get to add in Beth’s lovely voice, hearing that she is British with a sense of humor as she continues through the story with little asides; jokes Ian doesn’t understand but keep her smiling at herself and the world around her which expresses her personality well.
Ian reached for the curl again as if he couldn’t stop himself. “Because I want to bed you.”
Beth knew in that instant that she was not a lady, and never would be. A true lady would have fallen out of her chair in a gentle swoon or screamed down the opera house…
We haven’t made it out of the second chapter yet so we still have Ian’s three older brothers and his nearly grown nephew to hear from. Each of whom get their own distinctive version of the raspy Scot’s burr (ear candy)! Plus Ian’s Cockney valet the loyal Curry, Beth’s outspoken Irish maid Katie, and various other characters both British and French all of whom are individualized by Ms. Dawe’s delivery.
There is an audiobook review term “narrator match” which is defined as “a narrator whose voice matches character, age, sex, time period, setting and mood…” If you would have tried to convince me before I listened to this audiobook that Angela Dawe would fit the definition of “narrator match” to a T with all the characters in this Jennifer Ashley tale, I would have doubted – and I would have been wrong.
More about the story you say? After the opera, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie contains a trip to France that leads to adventures – suspicious murders that need to be solved – an enemy to be wary of – steamy scenes that will fog your glasses – extended family to be met – outbursts to be dealt with – a houseful of dogs – a disapproving family member to be set straight – drama – heartbreak – true love. Everything a great romance novel should be; uttered without a missed beat by the sublime Angela Dawe.
Brenda
Narration: A+
Book Content: A
Melinda’s Take
Melinda was out-of-town as we prepared this review but we have her words from our Three Gal Discussion last year where we all chose TMOLIM as one of our favorites.
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…
Narration: A
Story: A
i came to Jennifer Ashley only recently, and fell in love with Ian – so flawed but so pure. Your review makes me want to listen to the audio (and I have read the book three times). Are any of her others up to this same standard?