John Lee – Derelict Space Sheep

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows (Dial Press, 2008)

audiobook read by Paul Boehmer, Susan Duerden, Rosalyn Landor, John Lee, and Juliet Mills (Random House Audio, 2008)

An epistolary novel, rich in characterisation and engaging both for its historical content (recollections of the German occupation of Guernsey) and as a study in community and friendships. The audiobook is blessed with several different readers, which helps keep the characters distinct.

Century Rain

Century Rain

by Alastair Reynolds (Gollancz, 2004); audiobook read by John Lee (Tantor, 2010)

The two storylines (alternative 1950s Paris detective; far future SF archaeologist) are compelling enough while juxtaposed. Once they conflate, however, the intrigue gives way to a longwinded, slow-moving and ultimately unrewarding exploration of premise, considerably less than the sum of its parts.