A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

This masterpiece presents a provocative challenge to the audiobook producer and narrator. As the title suggests, it portrays an Irish poet, Stephen Dedalus, as a youth at the turn of the last century. It progresses from his earliest memories to the present. Its narrative matures as the character, the author in disguise, matures. Just how does one present that orally? Multiple narrators of various ages? One narrator altering his voice as the subject grows up? Naxos has cast a single voice, Jim Norton, who delivers the entire narrative in a single tone of gentle, god-like detachment. In dialogue passages, the characters roar to life in all their stormy Celtic vigor. Thus, Norton takes us inside the soul of the sensitive protagonist while amplifying the color and beauty of Joyce's writing. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

A masterpiece of subjectivity, a fictionalized memoir, a coming-of-age prose-poem, this brilliant novella introduces Joyce's alter ego, Stephen Dedalus, the hero of ULYSSES, and begins the narrative experimentation that would help change the concept of literary narrative forever. It describes Stephen's formative years in Dublin; as Stephen matures, so does the writing, until it sparkles with clarity. The style presents numerous, almost insurmountable, problems for the oral interpreter, particularly one with the limited vocal range of John Lynch. But Lynch pays no attention to the problems. Instead, he identifies so completely with Dedalus, throws himself so lustily into the book, that it is as if the passionate young artist himself is bursting out of your speakers. Y.R. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

With a rough-hewn Irish accent, John Lee narrates this classic novel by Ireland's favorite son. Joyce's first novel, this bildungsroman is nothing like his more daunting ULYSSES, but it still shows the wide range of style and tone he used in his writing. Narrating any Joyce text is a demanding task, but Lee pulls it off expertly, not trying to make unique voices for characters, but melding them into a coherent overall reading. Americans not accustomed to an Irish accent may need some time to get used to this narration, but it's worth the effort as Lee's delivery certainly provides the local color of this timeless novel. K.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Colin Farrell's narration of this classic certainly does not disappoint. James Joyce's prose often seems like it was written to be narrated because of its natural musicality and cadence. The story of young Stephen Dedalus, Joyce's first novel is a masterful attempt to capture the mind's eye. Farrell's emphatic, lilting voice follows Stephen's mind into the nooks and crannies of consciousness. His vocal characterizations are distinct and effective, especially his loud, bold portrayal of Simon Dedalus, Stephen's father, a striking contrast to the sensitive, soft-spoken son. Yet Farrell captures the many facets of Stephen's thoughts and emotions, which run the gamut from boldness to meekness. Farrell's ability to handle such a variety of emotions in creating Stephen's voice makes this relatively short audiobook a success. D.M.W. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine