Paul Boehmer's thoughtful, well-paced narration encourages close listening to this beautifully written personal memoir and guide to the seventeenth-century Dutch master painters. When Pulitzer Prize-winning author Benjamin Moser relocated to the Netherlands, he sought to understand his place in a foreign country by delving into the lives and work of Rembrandt, Fabritius, Lievens, Vermeer, ter Borch, and many others. The result is partly art history essays and partly an attempt to answer questions such as why do we make art and how should we relate to it. Oddly, throughout the narration Boehmer changes his voice to a lower register with an echo effect for random passages. If unintentional, this may be an unfortunate editing error that is puzzling to the listener.
Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2023
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781696613422
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Baber’s reemergence will be celebrated by a new generation of female artists.
In a smooth, dusky voice, Rebecca Lam narrates the life story of American abstract expressionist painter Alice Baber (1928-1982). A talented and prolific artist, Baber painted bright, colorful shapes that mimic floating light, inspired by movement and sound. Later, she became an advocate for women artists and a champion of the feminist art movement. Sadly, her legacy was largely forgotten, while some of her female contemporaries are more well-known. Lam’s crisp diction and subtle expression enhance the descriptive writing, allowing the listener to visualize bohemian life among artists in New York’s Greenwich Village during the 1950s and ’60s.
Baber’s reemergence will be celebrated by a new generation of female artists.Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798318542428
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: today
Jennifer Jill Araya's bright tone and dynamic pacing pair well with Vincent's accessible prose to engage listeners. The audiobook is not quite as dramatic as its title implies, serving instead as an introduction to the art form that highlights occasional industry controversies. However, Vincent does make a strong case for opera as a living genre, arguing that newcomers should join the audience and that aficionados should make room for newer works. Vincent champions operas beyond the European canon, whose famous Italian and German titles Araya pronounces with musicality and accuracy. Araya catches the humor in Vincent's perspective on the supposedly serious opera world. A light, fun, and informative listening experience.
Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668125038
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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