Sooz Kempner brings Joy Attwood to vivid life

An inexperienced author just a few months ago, Andrew Mackay is going from strength to strength in his partnership with Joy Attwood. Each book demonstrates this writer’s eagerness for experimentation and the development of his skills as a storyteller. Though he arguably made a few missteps with some sections of his last book, the same is certainly not true here.

THE ARTIST largely deviates from the episodic structure (not to mention the vulgarity) of earlier volumes in the series, with the protagonist taken (against her will) on a break-neck journey as an unwilling accomplice to a grand anarchic scheme.

After the excess of the previous volume, THE MODEL, which was overflowing with extraordinary ideas, THE ARTIST is an enjoyable change of pace. Mackay has crafted a fine, focused thriller with strong characters shot through with his trademark satirical black humour. What’s even more extraordinary is that he essentially did it in only 5 days.

Adding extra power to Attwood’s first-person reportage and Mackay’s inventive characterisation is comedian Sooz Kempner, who has emerged as a wonderful collaborator in bringing Mackay’s work to vivid life.

The first of the IN THEIR SHOES series to be available as an audiobook, the cover of the 6 ½ hour recording says it’s “Narrated by Sooz Kempner” but this is to understate her contribution. This particular artist throws herself into a fully-rounded performance, developing every character. The only unfortunate aspect to this version of the book is its undeniably inferior recording quality. It’s a little rough around the edges.

This is not a crisp, studio recording and I found it uncomfortable to listen to on headphones. Overlook the imperfections in the production, and listen to it on speakers, and you won’t regret taking the time for the experience. Kempner’s performance shines.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!