As a newly member of the cult of audiobooks listeners, I had different experiences, more or less pleasant, but in all cases, what in the end keeps my attention awake or distracted is the voice of the reader. If in the case of the physical book, the time and the location as well as the mood at the time of the reading matter, the audio books do need to be equally appealing for the ear. Especially for someone as hyperactive as me, the voice should simply keep myself focused and interested in listening the continuation of the story. In fact, this is not always happening and the result is that either I may get in the end the book in physical format, or I have to return to the audio part which I was distracted enough to follow properly.
Selfies, by the Danish Noir writer Jussi Adler-Olsen, had the chance of being read in the German version - translated by Hannes Thiess - by actor Wolfram Koch. Not only the voice was the right addition to the suspenseful story, but the whole setting was aimed to offer an unique experience matching the book. In my experience, the German audiobooks do have outstanding studio effects and frequently used multi-awarded actors as voice overs. Hopefully soon I will be able to delve more into this unique feature of German audiobooks industry.
Jussi Adler-Olsen was my second Danish author to feature on the blog and a representative of the well-deserved praised ´Nordic Noir´. I prefer to avoid labels of any kind, particularly geographical ones, but beyond all categories and shoeboxes, Selfies is a book that could have not been written in any other part of the world. The references are rooted into daily local experiences and biographies, therefore, are very important for an overall understanding of the novel. Also, as the title suggests, smartphones and social media temptations in general, may be a game changer not only for the society, but for crime writers and homicide detectives as well.
In the span of few weeks, several women are found dead, or are victim of accidents taking place in unclear circumstances. Some of the women are on social support or do have the experience of living as social outcasts. In fact, most of the characters in the book do have a troubled past which involved a relatively limited social ability and a low social status. They may aim at changing their condition, but do lack the moral choices to do it, therefore, they rather prefer to further swim in the troubles waters of the precarious subsistence.
Homicides detective Carl Mørck, featured in previous books by Adler-Olsen, assisted by the intelligent Assad, is supposed to find the culprit(s). Although we, as readers, we know well already who did it, tracing into their steps, is a thrilling experience itself. Thus, instead raising the question of ´Who?´, the book plot focused on the reasons of ´Why?´ and pacing slowly towards the ´When?´. I rarely had a similar experience, therefore it was equally exciting to wait for the end of the book.
Interestingly, the issues of poverty, parental abuse, chronical sickness, mental health, bullying, women condition are very smartly inserted into the story, an aspect which brings much depth into understanding the circumstances and the eventual reasons of the crime(s).
Hopefully, will have the chance soon to discover more books from the series, and delve into the literary art of this author. A good audiobook version of the book is definitely an available option.
Rating: 4.5 stars
No comments:
Post a Comment