Kingston Noir

By: Colin Channer

Narrated by: Robin Miles, Mirron Willis, Joan Pringle

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Launched with the summer '04 award-winning best-seller Brooklyn Noir, Akashic Books continues its groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies. Each book is comprised of all-new stories, each one set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the geographical area of the book. Original stories by Marlon James, Kwame Dawes, Patricia Powell, Chris Abani, Marcia Douglas, Leone Ross, Kei Miller, Christopher John Farley, Ian Thomson, Thomas Glave, and Colin Channer.

From "Trench Town" to "Half Way Tree" to "Norbrook" to "Portmore" and beyond, the stories of Kingston Noir shine light into the darkest corners of this fabled city. Joining award-winning Jamaican authors such as Marlon James, Leone Ross, and Thomas Glave are two "special guest" writers with no Jamaican lineage: Nigerian-born Chris Abani and British writer Ian Thomson. The menacing tone that runs through some of these stories is counterbalanced by the clever humor in others, such as Kei Miller's "white gyal with a camera", who softens even the hardest of August Town's gangsters; and Mr. Brown, the private investigator in Kwame Dawes' story, who explains why his girth works to his advantage: "In Jamaica, a woman like a big man. She can see he is prosperous, and that he can be in charge." Together, the outstanding tales in Kingston Noir comprise the best volume of short fiction ever to arise from the literary wellspring that is Jamaica.

©2012 Akashic Books (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Fake Jamaican Accent

What didn’t you like about the narrators’s performance?

The narrator had a pseudo Jamaican accent. It was so difficult listening to him that I decided to read the stories without the audio. It did a disservice to the stories, I think, because I listened to the first one and disliked the story immensely. I cringed every time the narrator spoke, especially at certain word: for example, when he said Saint Yago and not saint Jago. That is a well known school in Jamaica, and we pronounce it St Jago--with the J sound. There were many other instances of mispronunciation as well.

Compelling stories

Would you listen to Kingston Noir again? Why?

I tend to listen to audiobooks while in transit (on bus or train), gardening or doing housework. Sometimes I feel that my attention is distracted and I miss segments and so may re-listen. I am glad that I purchased this anthology and will re-listen in a year or so.

Would you recommend Kingston Noir to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes. The anthology contains diverse stories which reflect interesting perspectives.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

A good narrator brings a story to life. As children, we listen to stories and Audible has recreated that sense of engagement for adults.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. This was an anthology. So I tried to listen to a story in one go.

Any additional comments?

Particularly enjoyed the stories by Kwame Dawes, Colin Channer, Chris Abani and
Booker Prize winning Marlon James.

I cannot listen

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

After purchasing this audiobook I was looking forward to listening. I sat down relaxed and then heard the awful fake Jamaican accent that has prevented me from getting past the first chapter. As a British man of Jamaican parentage it felt so insulting as if someone was mocking me with every word spoken. Please get this book narrated by a Jamaican or someone who does not fake a Jamaican accent, horrendous !!!!!!!!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Destroyed the book, total waste of money but more importantly totally insulted me

Kingston Haunting

Excellent stories which gives a historic incite of the great Caribbean city. Narrative might have been better with true Jamaican ascents. It was hard to stop listening.