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  • The Dance of the Seagull

  • Inspector Montalbano, Book 15
  • By: Andrea Camilleri
  • Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
  • Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (98 ratings)
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The Dance of the Seagull cover art

The Dance of the Seagull

By: Andrea Camilleri
Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
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Summary

Inspector Montalbano is awake at dawn, sitting on his porch, when his attention is caught by a seagull that falls from the sky, performing a strange dance, before lying down to die. Montalbano is perplexed by what he has witnessed and the scene hangs over him like an omen.

About to depart for a holiday with his girlfriend Livia, Montalbano makes a quick trip to the police station to tie up loose ends. But when his dear colleague Fazio is discovered missing, Montalbano instead launches a desperate search for his lost friend....

©2013 Andrea Camilleri (P)2013 Oakhill Publishing

Critic reviews

"Montalbano’s 15th case features more hilarious bark and some satisfying bite." ( Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about The Dance of the Seagull

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Distracting false Italian accent

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dance of the Seagull?

Didn't read much past the first 2 chapters.

What didn’t you like about Daniel Philpott’s performance?

I love the Montalbano stories and tv series, I own two paperbacks, but the audible book was a disappointment and I could not carry on listening after a short time. The reader's jarring theatrical Italian accent ruined this for me. Better that the story be read in straight English and allow the reader to imagine the Italian accent if he or she wants to. Or have a real Italian read it.

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

Disappointment and annoyance.

Any additional comments?

Will purchase the e book instead.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good stoty spoilt by narration

I have long enjoyed the Inspector Montalbano stories in books and on film, but found the narration of this one distracting and, at times, irritating. I do not think I will be listeningto them again after the ones already in my library.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Unfortunate narration

What did you like most about The Dance of the Seagull?

I enjoyed the story and the narrative but not the narration!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Always the Inspector

Would you be willing to try another one of Daniel Philpott’s performances?

Not really. Mark Meadows does a much better job of these stories.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but the narration is jarring and makes it difficult to enjoy as much as one should. The Italian accented parts are almost comical although not meant to be.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Why change narrator at this stage?

Awful! Fantastic book, of course, but why on Earth change the narrator after 14 books read by Mark Meadows? And just for one book? I’ve returned, and will read it myself instead before listening to the next one.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Seagull theme runs through the book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes excellent tale read by a talented Daniel Philpott with good Italian accents.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Catarella always confused and funny, plus the Inspector.

What about Daniel Philpott’s performance did you like?

Accents and bringing characters to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - over a few days

Any additional comments?

Like to see other books in the series for download

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Why change the reader after 13 books

Changing the reader to someone else after 13 books is so confusing and upsetting on the ears. The new reader sounds completely different and pronounces many of the names and places differently. Awful!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mispronunciation.

The story, as with all the Montalbano stories was excellent. The mispronunciation of Mimi Augello’s name with a hard g instead of a soft g was extremely irritating.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining plot and performance.

I enjoyed listening to the story which was entertaining and well paced. The characters were voiced well by the reader.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Dreadful narration

Love Montalbano series but narrator’s performance failed to deliver sense of location and characters portrayed within the novels.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wickedly Funny

Many years ago I read many of Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montoblano books, and this reminded me of how brilliant they are, full of dark humour that makes me laugh! The only niggle I have about the narrator is some of the Italian accents sound like they belong in the British sitcom Allo Allo, but I'm willing to overlook that and look forward to listening to more of Camilleri's books.

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