The Very First Damned Thing

An Author-Read Audio Exclusive

By: Jodi Taylor

Narrated by: Jodi Taylor

Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Audible is delighted to bring you an exclusive, author-read production of The Very First Damned Thing. Hear it here first, months ahead of the EBook publication.

Jodi Taylor reads the long-awaited prequel in her Chronicles of St Mary’s series, as Dr Bairstow struggles to set up St Mary’s as we know it in a world still scarred by the ravages of civil war.

Ever wondered how it all began? It’s two years since the final victory at the Battersea Barricades. The fighting might be finished, but for Dr Bairstow, just now setting up St Mary's, the struggle is only beginning.

How will he assemble his team? From where will his funding come? How can he overcome the massed ranks of the Society for the Protection of Historical Buildings? How do stolen furniture, a practical demonstration at the Stirrup Charge at Waterloo, students’ alcohol-ridden urine, a widowed urban guerrilla, a young man wearing exciting knitwear and four naked security guards all combine to become the St Mary’s of the future?

©2015 Jodi Taylor (P)2015 Audible Ltd.

Beautifully phrased and clearly stated

A treat for the ears to listen to, and a story of romance and daring. I think I have just gotten hooked on another series.

Hilarious! A marvelous introduction to the series

The author's narration is absolutely perfect for the story. The story is read in a dry tone that left me in giggles and snorts at the funny bits. Has some sweet, sad, touching parts as well.

Interesting reading

I tried this book to determine whether I would continue reading. The concept is certainly interesting and I believe I will it give a chance. I did enjoy the performance a lot.
The story is what I would guess a preparation for the series.

Author read. Miss the narrator.

Would you try another book from Jodi Taylor and/or Jodi Taylor?

I've read this entire series. Yes, I like Jodi Taylor.

What other book might you compare The Very First Damned Thing to and why?

This is a prequel book to her series, so it's a bit like any other prequel. It fills in details missing--it's backstory.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

No. The other narrator, Zara Ramm, was very missed. However, when hearing the author, it is interesting to hear how she pronounces all the names and places. She also puts alternate emphasis, so the story is well read, but not the same as her other books in this series.

Any additional comments?

Although this is the author, the narrator of the rest of the series Zara Ramm is preferable. She gives each character a distinct sound which helps distinguish all the history from the characters and the story.

A great prequel

I really love this series and this is a fabulous addition. hearing it read by the author was even better. it took some getting used to as I am accustomed to Zara but still wonderful.

A good start

Love this whole series and highly recommend for anyone needing a laugh and doesn't mind a little rewritten history.

Good prequel but narration poor

As others have said this a great intro to the series but best heard after one or two others. The story is well crafted BUT...

Please no more author readings!!

Professional readers are the only ones who should read books; very few authors can do this well enough, interestingly many actors should also not be carrying out this task unsupervised!!

Trying a bit too hard in places

Would you consider the audio edition of The Very First Damned Thing to be better than the print version?

The author seems to want to be more "Douglas Adams" than Mr. Adams himself. I suppose we need a new version of Mr. Adams, seeing as he is deceased and all that. Ms. Taylor's narration is a bit flat as if she is reciting her book at times, not acting. Anyhow, the story is interesting and hopefully a good intro to the book series. I guess I shall see.

What did you like best about this story?

Some elements of "British" comedy writing is quite lively and very dryly funny.

What aspect of Jodi Taylor’s performance would you have changed?

She was pretty reserved in her "acting" - this came across as rather flat in places.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

If UK Academics built a Tardis, what would happen?

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to trying the next book..

Before book 1….

This book takes place before beginning of the whole series but you have to have listen to the series 1st to kind of understand what’s going on. I was disappointed that it wasn’t the regular narrator, until at the end when I discovered it was Jodi Taylor, the author!

Laugh Aloud

This piece had me laughing aloud. The dry British humor won't suit everyone, but it certainly tickled my funny bone.