Andie’s Book Club: ‘Thank You for Listening’ by Julia Whelan
Thank You for Listening tells the story of an audiobook narrator, Sewanee Chester. You learn her triumphs as well as her tragedies. You learn what makes her tick. And you…
Thank You for Listening tells the story of an audiobook narrator, Sewanee Chester. You learn her triumphs as well as her tragedies. You learn what makes her tick. And you trust it because it’s in the book. But if you met Sewanee Chester in person, would you really know her?
“You can’t just look at who someone is. You have to look at WHY someone is. Surface versus substance. That’s the difference between caricature and character.”
Good authors will advise: write what you know. The plot of Thank You for Listening is what Julia Whelan knows, but don’t falsely assume it is about her. This book is a story, a work of fiction. It is not an autobiography; it is a love letter to stories and storytellers.
As an acclaimed audiobook narrator herself, Whelan brings an authenticity to this novel about a former actress-turned-audiobook-narrator who finds herself reluctantly voicing a steamy romance - and discovering her own unexpected love story along the way.
I love to read, like physically read, but when it comes to Whelan’s talent, her voice is better than the one in my head, so the audiobook format of Thank You for Listening is without question the best way to experience this book.
“She was drawn into the story as an aroma draws one to a meal.”
Honestly, without Whelan guiding me, I would never have correctly pronounced the protagonist’s name. Sewanee (swan, like the bird, and knee, like the joint). That’s how it is explained in the book, but I still would have butchered it.
I’ve heard some listeners/readers find the book slightly meta or insider-y at times, with its detailed references to the audiobook industry. But I loved getting a peek behind the curtain. I love now knowing that audiobook readers don’t just sit down and read. There is work to be done. Research. Multiple takes are wanted for the final product to be as perfect as possible. It is an art form. And if you love romance, or simply the magic of a good story well told, this novel is a treat.
