Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story

Thurber, James; Wharton, Edith; Thurber, Jack; Connell, Richard; Lawrence, D. H.; Carver, Raymond; Symphony Space

ISBN 10: 0971921830 ISBN 13: 9780971921832

Publisher: Symphony Space, 2006

Synopsis

Finalist in AudioFile Magazine's 2007 Audie Awards in the category "Audiobook Adapted from Another Medium"

This three-CD compilation features some of the best short stories from National Public Radio's Selected Shorts, an award-winning series of classic and contemporary short fiction read by distinguished stage and screen actors and recorded live at the Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York City. More than three hours of recordings in each collection capture the intimacy of live performance, with stories that are alternately exciting, poignant, and funny, making this the perfect accompaniment to any number of daily activities—driving, cooking, exercising, relaxing, or intently listening.

Timeless Classics includes, among others, James Thurber's "The Night the Ghost Got In," read by Isaiah Sheffer; Edith Wharton's "Roman Fever," read by Maria Tucci; Jack London's "Make Westing," read by Steven Gilborn; D. H. Lawrence's "The Rocking Horse Winner," read by John Shea; Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," read by Marian Seldes; Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game," read by Charles Keating; and Raymond Carver's "Cathedral," read by James Naughton.

About this title

From AudioFile:

TIMELESS CLASSICS features a few famous short stories--such as Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"--and a couple of less familiar ones--such as Edith Wharton's "Roman Fever" and Jack London's "Make Westing." What makes these retellings fresh is the dynamic of the live audience, with the murmurs and, at times, laughter of the crowd helping to direct readers. This gives the narrators extra energy for tour-de-force performances, whether comic, such as Isaiah Sheffer's reading of James Thurber's "The Night the Ghost Got In"; dramatic, such as Charles Keating's reading of Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game"; or personal, such as James Naughton's reading of Raymond Carver's "Cathedral." This production could have listeners gasping along with the Symphony Space audience. J.A.S. 2007 Audies Award Finalist © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Review:

"Selected Shorts is one of the best evenings at the theatre."  —David Sedaris

"Symphony Space is the angel of the short story."  —Grace Paley

"Some of the more intelligent short stories in audiobook land are on the yearly release of Selected Shorts."  —Rochelle O'Gorman, syndicated audio columnist

"What makes these retellings fresh is the dynamic of the live audience, with the murmurs and, at times, laughter."  —AudioFile Magazine

About this edition

• Publisher: Symphony Space
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0971921830
• ISBN 13: 9780971921832
• Binding: Audio CD