Audible Studios collected nine ‘Audie awards’ at the annual ceremony including the Audiobook of the Year award for The End of the Affair. Colin Firth performed the audio book adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel and said he was grateful for the recognition.
“I’m grateful for this honor, and grateful for the opportunity to narrate one of my favorite stories—a great novel told in the first person makes for the best script an actor could imagine. None better than The End of the Affair,” stated Firth. “Theater and film each offer their own challenges and rewards, but narration is a new practice for me and the audiobook performance provides exhilarating possibilities for both actors and listeners. I’m thrilled to be involved in bringing this remarkable work of fiction to a wider audience, and thankful to Audible for offering me the opportunity to perform it and to engage with so many who share my passion for storytelling.”
“Congratulations to Colin and to all of the fine actors and performances recognized this year,” added Audible.com founder and CEO Donald Katz. “Listening to Colin’s masterful interpretation of The End of the Affair is an eloquent reminder of why we at Audible have focused so acutely on elevating the quality of audio performances. The End of the Affair truly is theater for the ears.”
In addition to Firth, Claire Danes’ performance of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale was recognized with the Fiction Award. Other wins by Audible.com include:
– Distinguished Achievement in Production: Dracula, by Bram Stoker, narrated by Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, Simon Vance, Katherine Kellgren, Susan Duerden, John Lee, Graeme Malcolm, Steven Crossley, Simon Prebble, James Adams, Nicola Barber and Marc Vietor
– Original Work: Gun Church, by Reed Farrel Coleman, narrated by Joe Barrett and John Keating
– Audio Drama: Swordspoint, by Ellen Kushner, narrated by Ellen Kushner and supporting cast Dion Graham, Katherine Kellgren, Robert Fass, Nick Sullivan, Simon Jones, Sam Guncler and Anne Bobby (SueMedia Productions for Neil Gaiman Presents/ACX)
– Fantasy: Anita, by Keith Roberts, narrated by Nicola Barber
– Paranormal: Spellbound, by Larry Correia, narrated by Bronson Pinchot
– Multi-Voiced Performance: Dracula, by Bram Stoker, narrated by Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, Simon Vance, Katherine Kellgren, Susan Duerden, John Lee, Graeme Malcolm, Steven Crossley, Simon Prebble, James Adams, Nicola Barber and Marc Vietor
– Narration by the Author: Society’s Child: My Autobiography, by Janis Ian, narrated by Janis Ian
Commenting on her win, Ian said, “Winning a Grammy for my audiobook was astonishing. Having Society’s Child win the Audie for ‘Best Narration by Author’ was gorgeous icing on the cake. It means the world to me that Audible.com have such faith in my narrating, and that Stefan Rudnicki and his team are being recognized for the exceptional creativity and technical ability they brought to our venture. I hope to continue working with this team for years and years to come!”
