Author: JC Miller
Narrator: Curt Simmons
Length: 7h 28m
Publisher: JC Miller Writer
Released: July 14, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 5 Stars
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by JC Miller and Curt Simmons. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Dr. William Koval, a pragmatist with little faith in humanity, prefers to dwell in the eerily comforting microscopic realm, where he is master of his domain. But his worldview is upended when he decides to go on the English walking tour his wife had been planning before her murder three years earlier. Only when William confronts his past, including his troubled marriage, will he find a way to rejoin the living, to move forward, and perhaps love again. The real journey, he discovers, lies within.
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JC (Jeanne) Miller is a freelance essayist, the author of five novels, including the best-seller, Vacation. An avid reader, aspiring traveler and table tennis enthusiast, JC resides in Northern California.Website⎮Facebook⎮Twitter
Curt lives in Seattle and produces and narrates audiobooks in his home studio. He began his performing career in college as a stage actor and radio personality. After college, in addition to acting, Curt also did voiceovers for commercials, which he also wrote, directed, and edited for broadcast TV. Following the birth of his daughter in 1984, he left the performing arts to pursue a more “stable” profession managing projects. Then, in 2014 he returned to the professional stage for the first time in over 30 years as Walter Flood in Becky’s New Car by Stephen Dietz. He has also appeared recently as Lyman in Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz and Ralph in The Last Romance by Joseph DiPietro. Vacation is Curt’s eighth audiobook.Website⎮Facebook⎮Twitter⎮SoundCloud⎮Goodreads
What made the experience of listening to Vacation the most enjoyable?
It's a book that was sad a lot of the time. It had its up and down moments. But what was most enjoyable was going on vacation to England with our main character.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Since we see him for most of the book, and it's told from his point of view, I would say that it would be William. He's also someone that I can commiserate with.
What does Curt Simmons bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He was perfect for this book. He brought William's character to life. You could feel all of William's emotions as the story unfolds. Mr. Simmons also did a great job with the characters that had an accent.
If you could take any character from Vacation out to dinner, who would it be and why?
Since this is William's story. I would say William but now that he's found Annie I would want her there too. I'd want to know if they go back to England and what they would recommend I visit and where to stay. It would be a great way to catch up with them and find out what happens after this book ends.
Any additional comments?
This is a book that I could, in some ways, identify with. I could feel Williams' pain. Our pain is the same but different. His was from violence and mine was from old age. It was nice that at the end of the tunnel you can find love again. It's never easy but if you put in the time and sometimes persistence you can get your happily ever after.
If I had not been part of a tour for this book I might never have read/listened to it. This is one of those that you can't judge a book by its cover. It's one you need to take a chance on. There were times that I had tears in my eyes but that's a good thing. You need to let your emotions out - keeping them bottled up isn't a good thing. This was a pleasant way to help with that.
Like William I went on vacation too. But after listening to his story I almost wish that I had gone on a walking tour. It's a great way to meet new people and make lots of new friends. But that doesn't mean it won't happen - my bucket list just got a little longer. Will make sure to have this book with me when I go. It was also a great way to be introduced to a narrator and author that I have not experienced before. But will most definitely experience again.
If I had not been part of a tour for this book I might never have read/listened to it. This is one of those that you can't judge a book by its cover. It's one you need to take a chance on. There were times that I had tears in my eyes but that's a good thing. You need to let your emotions out - keeping them bottled up isn't a good thing. This was a pleasant way to help with that.
Like William I went on vacation too. But after listening to his story I almost wish that I had gone on a walking tour. It's a great way to meet new people and make lots of new friends. But that doesn't mean it won't happen - my bucket list just got a little longer. Will make sure to have this book with me when I go. It was also a great way to be introduced to a narrator and author that I have not experienced before. But will most definitely experience again.
Q&A with Author JC Miller
- Do you believe certain types of writing translate better into audiobook format?
Any compelling story, fiction or non-fiction, translates well to an audio format, but only if the narration is equally compelling.
- Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
At the time, no. But whenever I write (or read) a novel, I do visualize the characters, and hear a kind of soundtrack in my head.
- How did you select your narrator? It’s very gratifying and exciting to hear a story I’ve created come to life through a narrator’s interpretation. I wanted someone who could handle a variety of accents, including English, Irish, French, Australian and Southern U.S. After listening to many auditions, I discovered Curt, whose acting expertise and ability to portray unique characters struck me right away. However, Curt delivered much more than well-rendered accents. He elevated the story with unexpected emotional depth. I came to respect and admire his talent and could not imagine a better voice for VACATION.
- Were there any real-life inspirations behind your writing? I’ve taken independent walking tours in both England and Ireland. Some of the imagery on location was based on memory, but the group of characters was pure fiction.
- Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
I’m an audiobook (and podcast) enthusiast. I’ve always loved being read to, and I especially enjoy the portability of the medium. Everywhere I go, I take a story.
- If this title were being made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast to play the primary roles?
Hahahaha. I’ve thought about this. Elizabeth Moss as Annie Logan for sure.
- What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”? If people prefer sitting in once place for hours, it’s their prerogative. Seriously, I enjoy “real” reading, too.
- How did you celebrate after finishing this novel? When I finish a novel, I’m elated, but I usually I cry a little. It’s a relief, but also a bit of a letdown. I like keeping company with my characters and hate to let them go.
- What gets you out of a writing slump? What about a reading slump? A brisk walk, travel and/or dark chocolate.
- Have any of your characters ever appeared in your dreams? I’m certain they have, especially before they occur to me in my waking life.
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