Shockingly bad narration

I gave up on this version half-way through Chapter 4. The narration by Victoria McGee was horrendous. Like other reviewers, I was instantly reminded of Apple’s automaton Siri. Despite this reaction, I decided to persist. But when the character of Martha Sowerby was introduced in Chapter 4, McGee launches the most ludicrous, inauthentic Yorkshire accent I’ve ever heard. It was comedic in its dreadfulness.

It was so bad; I instantly switched it off and succumbed to my curiosity – I Googled the narrator. Everything else I heard from McGee was so different (i.e. fantastic) I can only assume this is a terrible and unfortunate anomaly from an otherwise talented voice-artist.

I’ve just purchased another version, with a different narrator.

28 people found this helpful

Great book but the reader sounded robot like.

If you could sum up The Secret Garden in three words, what would they be?

Great Classic Read!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret Garden?

I love Ms Mary. She has an awesome spirit!

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I understand that the language itself was probably hard to do, but the performer I thought was very robot-like and just didn't sound right. Almost like a new reader in grade school. That's a bummer because I think sometimes that can make or break an audio book. Good for the author the storyline was wonderful! As expected in a classic!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I love it when Ms Mary tells Collin off for being a bratt

13 people found this helpful

Good story / narration

Enjoyed every second of it. The narrator could've varied the character voices a little more but that didn't take a whole lot away from the story.

5 people found this helpful

Love this Audio

I love this audio so much i listened it on a seven hour drive and the drive went by so fast! It helped me a lot

4 people found this helpful

A classic book, but it the narration is awful

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I love this story, and have reread it many times, but I cannot recommend this audio version. The narrator is robotic and reminds me strongly of Siri. Unfortunately the stilted narration takes away from the enjoyment of the story.

How could the performance have been better?

A more emotional narrator!

8 people found this helpful

Good story, stilted narrator

classic story I'd always meant to read. The narrator sounds like a GPS voice when she's not doing dialogue, though.

2 people found this helpful

The narrator ruins it.

What disappointed you about The Secret Garden?

I love this story, but the narrator was appalling. My little girl and I have been listening to it, and she still likes it, but it's a wonder she cares for the story at all with such lifeless and robotic narration, with a very odd rhythm to her reading too. I'm about to abandon listening to it because it's that bad. Plus, by rights, an English story should have an English narrator to do it full justice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret Garden?

My shock at the narration from minute one!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

In every way.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment only because of the narration. It's a marvelous book.

Any additional comments?

Do yourself a favor, and get a different copy with a different narrator.

5 people found this helpful

delightful and entertaining ín a sad world which b

delightful and entertaining which everyone, big and small can enjoy. I would recommend all to read and listen to this book

1 person found this helpful

Great story

I loved this. It was recommended to me recently and having never read it I wanted to know it, but didn’t have time to read. Audible to the rescue. The narrator was excellent.

One side note: perhaps this is my own naivety but I had not realized or expected the racist content and was surprised by it’s casual inclusion. Not that I desire censorship, just that it would have been nice to have known ahead so I mention it now for others who may not be aware.
I was listening with my children, it does provide opportunity to speak to them about the sinfulness of racism, but again, it’s nice to be prepared ahead.
There is also a bit of religious syncretism, and magic for those who care to know that.

Overall it’s a lovely story that each day I was eager to know more and hear more of the Secret Garden. My children also enjoyed listening, and we are wanting to create our own garden at home.

1 person found this helpful

Awesome

I liked the mystery and the suspense and the love in it all.
I would highly recommend it.

1 person found this helpful