BUDDENBROOKS
By Thomas Mann • Read by David Rintoul
BUDDENBROOKS The Decline of a Family
Mann’s saga of a nineteenth-century German merchant family is the kind of audiobook that envelops listeners in its long story. David Rintoul serves this end by imbuing his skillful narration with understanding, emotional warmth, and occasional passion. His delivery of narrative is deep, resonant, and engaging, his reading supple, well paced, and clear. He differentiates the many characters with a light touch, saving extremes for characters who call for them. He usually manages the difficult job of conveying English versions of German dialects, odd accents, and vocal peculiarities adeptly. But his key talent, and most subtle, is his ability to engage the listener mentally and emotionally with the characters and story, which becomes absorbing and easy to listen to over its great length.
W.M. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
“The German Middlemarch”
Very enjoyable reading of a clever translation, which catches the nuances of pre-unification German society. The decline of a mercantile family, often humorously drawn, played out against the seismic changes of the 19th century. Highly recommended.
Elvis Patterson – Penrith, United Kingdom – 12/01/2017 – Audible Review
“Five Star”
One of the best readings I have yet heard. David Rintoul’s performance was perfect throughout. The intensity and the gentle humour of the novel were beautifully delivered. I hope we can have a recording of Mann’s “Doctor Faustus” with the same reader.
Hugh M. Clarke
