Night Watch
Written by Jayne Anne Phillips
Narrated by Karissa Vacker, Theo Stockman, Maggi-Meg Reed
THE WALKING BOOK CLUB SNEAKER RATINGS:
Motivation to Move: 2 Sneakers
Quality of Narration: 4 Sneakers
Overall Experience: 2.5 Sneakers
Moving and Listening Time: 10 hours 12 minutes
Post-Civil War Historical Fiction
Overall, The Night Watch was a letdown for me, but I’m one of those listeners who commit to finishing an audiobook once it’s downloaded.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction and interested in the aftermath of the Civil War, you might enjoy Jayne Anne Phillips’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
However, it never really hooked me. The Walking Book Club® has an unofficial rule: you must keep moving if you want to listen. We’re designed to inspire increased activity, so we gravitate towards audiobooks that make the listener want to keep moving.
Unfortunately, The Night Watch didn’t captivate me, earning only two Sneakers for Motivation to Move. The writing felt obscure at times, and some characters seemed underdeveloped. The pacing also left something to be desired, with Phillips seemingly rushing to wrap things up.
However, the narration did provide a redeeming quality. Audiobooks with distinct voices for each character can significantly enhance the listening experience. In this case, the vocal performances by Karissa Vacker, Theo T. Stockman, and Maggi-Meg Reed added depth to the story. Despite the story not topping my chart, the narration deserved a solid four-Sneaker rating for Quality of Narration.
For those who try it, I recommend listening at 1.3x speed for approximately eight hours of walking and listening. Overall, The Night Watch from The Walking Book Club® earns a rating of 2.5 Sneakers.
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