One of our prolific readers, John Greenman (The Voice of Mark Twain) received this email from a listener:
Hi John,
I have looked for your email in the past so that I could write and say that you have been blessed with the voice and the ability to speak with the rhythm that I have always thought that Mark Twain would have done if I could have but lived when he toured and lectured.
I have been a fan for my whole life, but have not truly enjoyed the books as much before now until I heard you read them.
I had wondered if you were going to do the book that he spent 10 years writing on Joan of Arc and am delighted that I will be able to hear if in your inimitable voice. It is, I think Sam’s most sentimental book, though his voice as the Connecticut Yankee when he spoke of his true love also gave voice to his more tender side and must have come from the remembrance of his wife, who he loved more than any other. The mystical Joan, he also loved for the same reasons. Her character was above politics, above greed and above self love, totally devoted to her purpose on this earth, and sacrificed to save what Sam would have called a Reptile in the French King.I have to say that I have listened to thousands of audio books in the last 20 years and most of Mark Twains writings and you are only to be compared to one man’s ability to read his writings and that man was Jack Whitaker. He read a Best of Mark Twain cassette album in 1975 and it was brilliant. The library number of it is ISBN-13: 9780807229705 . It is available used, but out of print otherwise.
Jack’s readings of the humorous short stories, What Stumped the BlueJays, The invalids tale, and Punch Brothers Punch leaves me weak with laughter and The Diaries of Adam and Eve are as poignant and funny as Sam meant them to be. If you can get a copy, you should do so. Only a fellow master of Sam’s voice can appreciate it to it’s fullest.
I am waiting patiently for the lovely Joan- Nobody ever did her so much credit as ole Sam.
All the best
Mike Burke
I am thoroughly enjoying JG’s Twain also. Thanks, John!
As am I!
I just started listening to “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” (read by Greenman) and I was immediately impressed by his natural abilities. I’ve listened to many audio books over the years and his voice and abilities are superb. I assumed he was a commercial reader (or whatever the term is) but surprisingly I can not find his voice associated with any books other than those freely available. Much thanks to Mr. Greenman for his efforts in turning the written word into spoken word and doing a marvelous job in the process.
I listened to the entire reading of Uncle Tom’s Cabin read by Mr Greenman and wanted to thank him whole-heartedly for this sublime work. I have been listening to the book on my way to work every morning for the last couple of weeks and I must say that this has even made me feel look forward to driving to work :-) It has been my first audiobook ever and it has been a wonderful experience. I have been looking for Mr Greenman’s coordinates to praise him for his talent and superb voice. He has virtually made me fall in love with audiobooks – I hope many more people will be able to enjoy this great book and more generally gain access to literature through this media – in times when it’s getting increasingly difficult to find time to read. I look forward to more readings from Mr Greenman. Thanks ever so much.
I have been listening to Twain’s three great travelogues, all narrated by John and they have come alive, far more enjoyable than reading them myself. A well narrated audiobook is like a wonderful movie that does not skip a line. John is the tops. I can barely wait to hear his other Twain books.
I finished listening to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer read by John Greenman today. I have downloaded Huck Finn and The Prince and the Pauper and as Carmen says, I look forward to driving to work. Thank you John for volunteering your valuable time and talent. I am a fan.
I just downloaded all the Mark Twain stuff and it is a huge file. I did notice that some librivox books are starting to appear on bit torrent sites so that will lead others back here to find more books thank you for all the effort.
I’m so enamored of John’s voice and style. We’re actually using his Connecticut Yankee on the CraftLit.com podcast. Other readers are often a bit uneven (as am I when I try to read a whole book aloud) but not John.
Thank you thank you thank you.
Heather from CraftLit
John, I couldn’t think of anyone else doing these books. Half this time I’m laughing just due to your inredibly insightful interpretation of the material. ANOTHER COMPANY that is a bit better known has many of these books available (Recorded Mark Twain Books, that is); I’m not even interested. While they may be a little better edited and produced, they would not have John Greenman’s performance, and that makes all the difference!
Thanks, John!
Wow! Wow! Wow! John Greenman what an amazing talented artist ! THANK YOU ! THANK YOU ! THANK YOU ! for your marvelous, superb theatrical ( can not call it a reading ! ) of. ” Uncel Toms cabin ”
Thank you for the hours of
Listening pleasure ! Your
Skill is truly God given !
Look for to other literature you have Gilded !
Thank you so very much JG, for your talents and wonderful work. I am fully absorbed in your Uncle Tom’s cabin