needs a bit too much concentration for audiobook

I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the paperback, because I could more easily re-read a bit if needed. A lot of narrative about the thoughts etc of a character, which is good material, but not so easy in audio format.

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Good story hampered by terrible reading.

I like Michael Kitchen as an actor but on this audiobook he fails to make the grade. His rendition of the narrative and badly paced and pays little attention to the punctuation, instead reading section of text with no connection to the rest of the sentence. Only the dialogue is well performed.
That notwithstanding, the story is excellent. When I was able to get past the delivery the book is a nicely written investigation which should appeal to those who like their detective fiction to be a little political and intelligent.

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Excellent

Great plot, believable characters, intelligent writing and all performed by the wonderful Michael Kitchen. Outstanding

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Stick with the strange narration- it's worth it

This is my first experience of Zen and I'm pleased I finally got to him!

Like a lot of people I found the narration annoying. I then read reviews here and they all said stick with it - it represents Zen's personality. Being my first experience of Zen I didn't know his character so I stuck with it and then I started to get it. I now think the narration adds to the story.

The story's itself was OK, I guessed who it was quite early on, but there was still enough there to keep me engaged and I think I'll download another.

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Well-written and read

This was my first Michael Dibdin Zen novel, and I really enjoyed it. I like his writing style and humour and the story itself was full of great characters with plenty of twists and turns. I love Michael Kitchen as an actor and narrator anyway, so his performance was the icing on the cake really. He seemed perfect for Zen’s character. I’ve no idea why other people criticise his narration, have they never come across him before? Yes it is distinctive, but I thought it was ideal for this book. Now happily going to work my way through the series.

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excellent

had previously read this but had forgott what a good story it was expertly told by Michael Kitchin

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A perfect match.

I do like Michael Kitchen's reading of these books. He fits their personality so well. A perfect match.

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rambling and slow witted

the book rambles on like the character Zen, a bumbling detective who happens to be in either then wrong place at the wrong time or the right place at the right time. I don't find the character engaging and so difficult to keep track and pay attention.

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Interesting story let down by narration

I had high hopes for this book as I think Michael Kitchen a great actor, but I was very disappointed. He hardly changed the nuances in his voice to reflect what was happening in the story, let alone attempt any variation in voice to help the listener know which character was speaking. Often I had to rewind to work out who was saying what as it was nigh on impossible to tell.
I had bought others in the series ready, but I will be returning these unopened as it was not a pleasurable listening experience and I'm not going to waste anymore time on them.
Such a shame.

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Perfect portrayal

The Zen series of books by the late departed Michael Dibden, I have often gone back to and the earlier books by are far the best. The later books drift off and seem written as if Dibden was by then bored, which he probably was. This, the first of the series portrays the character of Zen perfectly and the choice of Michael Kitchen as the narrator is truly inspired. His sardonic and world-weary delivery makes him a perfect Zen. His strange intonation and emphasis in some ways almost seem as if he is reading it as if from his police notebook. Lovely performance and I can't wait to hear the rest of the series

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5 people found this helpful