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The Dance of the Seagull
- Inspector Montalbano, Book 15
- Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
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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....
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- Kindle Customer
- 06-02-15
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
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- Amazon Customer
- 27-12-14
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
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- donna D
- 14-04-18
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
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- AnnaBanya
- 28-08-21
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
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- Ian Rhodes
- 17-10-14
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
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- Dunblane1
- 26-11-23
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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- englishmom
- 12-07-23
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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- Monty
- 07-07-23
Dreadful
I’ve enjoyed other Camilleri books but this was awful - the plot jumbled and idiotic, the characters not even one dimensional. Worst of all was the narration - maybe the clownish accents were supposed to be comic but they were just distracting, silly and irritating.
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- Margo
- 06-12-22
Catarella is Jamaican?!
The accents are ruining this. Mark Meadows was amazing in all the previous books. Daniel Philpott sounds like he’s taking the proverbial. The characters’ accents are like exaggerated caricatures and Catarella sounds weirdly Jamaican from time to time. I’d be offended if I were Italian! Not normally one to give reviews but…!
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- Anonymous User
- 22-06-21
the voicing .
The way Montalbano talks is too theatrical, it is at times like comedy . Why is it so?
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- PeterA
- 25-01-15
Really good read and very well read.
If you could sum up The Dance of the Seagull in three words, what would they be?
Satisfying murder mystery
What other book might you compare The Dance of the Seagull to and why?
I wouldn't, its in a league of its own.
Have you listened to any of Daniel Philpott’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No, but I plan to.
Any additional comments?
Apart from the murder bit, its actually very humerous and this comes out in the reading. I wish there were more of his books in Audible rather than just this one.
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- Anniebligh
- 13-02-14
Thanks to Oakhill Publishing and Daniel Philpott
I may prefer Sean Barrett as the narrator, as he does have a real skill with European stories, however having read and enjoyed so many of Camilleri novels my ear still hears the humour. And Daniel Philpott does a fair iob.
An inspector of police based in Sicily must have a sense of humour. Our aging Inspector is growing weary of the horrors he encounters and still needs to manoeuver around and through the endemic political corruption to achieve a just result. True to form when one of his men goes missing his plans for a few days and nights with Livia are forgotten.
A good story well read.
I do hope Oakhill continue to publish more Camilleri
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