Vox

De: Nicholson Baker

Narrado por: Mark Boyett, Gabra Zackman

Baker has written a novel that remaps the territory of sex--solitary and telephonic, lyrical and profane, comfortable and dangerous. Written in the form of a phone conversation between two strangers, Vox is an erotic classic that places the author in the first rank of America's major writers.

©1993 Nicholson Baker (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Not his best.

What did you like best about Vox? What did you like least?
Besides the sex it was just a boring phone sex convo.

Has Vox turned you off from other books in this genre?
No, his other books are much better.

How did the narrator detract from the book?
Narrator was good, however story was weak.

Did Vox inspire you to do anything?
Nope

Good, but...

I read this book along with a few other books by Baker in college and I was excited to revisit it on audio. I remember how I liked it for its taboo theme when I was younger and I still like the concept. However, the book is a little out of date (with the age of the Internet and cell phones), but still interesting. I am unsure about the performance of Mr. Boyett and Ms. Zackman, but I got used to their style by the end. Not my favorite performance so far, but still worth checking out. Be warned: This s a very adult-themed book.

Boyett and Zackman Make this Incredibly REAL

What did you love best about Vox?

The story is fun in its form already--and it screamed out to be read by a duet of readers because it needed both voices to bring it to life.

What about Mark Boyett and Gabra Zackman ’s performance did you like?

They were sensual without going over the top; it's easy to go over the top with Baker and they kept the story inside the conversation. Impressive.

If you could rename Vox, what would you call it?

I wouldn't--but I'm a writer and I trust other writers in the choices they make.

A moment in time When two people connect

Any additional comments?

I know a lot of people know of VOX because of Clinton and Lewinsky. Sadly, I found this book looking for in intellectual "fix". I have been listening and reading erotica on a regular basis and could not find something new or something that would catch my attention. This was it. I should warn some younger audiences that this was copyrighted 1993. If you do not know what a VHS tape or a party line is, you might be slightly lost. After reading the synopsis I decided to go with the audio version. I normally READ erotica or hard core romances, but the give and take of between Jim and Abby (wonderfully narrated by Mark Boyett and Gabra Zackman) screamed that this should be in audio. You are transported into a nearly five hour block of time where two people agreed to take their partyline conversation private. As you listen to the conversation you are immersed into a connection of two people who are seeking that "something" painfully missing from their day-to-day and you will begin to panic when you realize the fanatical might be broken by the threat of reality. (Luckily Jim convincingly pleads to keep the connection going) There are conversation about work, food, books, and the something that has escaped them up until now. There are conversations about fantasies and realities. All these conversations are yours to witness from the shadows. I've never been a "voyeur" but having the fly-on-the-wall perspective was very interesting. I'm not sure if I will look into anything else from Nicholson Baker, but after listening to VOX (for the fourth time) I'm a huge fan of Jim and Abby and this story.

Great story, great performance.

Gabra has the most amazing voice, she narrates with a subtlety and precision unlike any other. Mr. Boyett is also an amazing narrator. I don't usually like male voices in these kinds of stories but he did a great job. Very sensual story. Hit the spot ;)