AudioFile magazine has announced the three winners of its 2023 Golden Voices distinction, which “celebrates a voice artist’s iconic role in the field of narration and honors those who have made significant contributions to the audiobook art form.”
Nicholas Boulton was named a winner of the award. Boulton, who has appeared in the film Shakespeare in Love and the series Game of Thrones, has narrated books including Lawrence Durrell’s Justine, Laura Kinsale’s Uncertain Magic, and Alexis Hall’s Glitterland.
Kevin R. Free, who has acted on Law & Order, won the distinction, with the magazine praising his “boyish voice, emotional range, and fluid vocalizations.” His credits include Victor LaValle’s The Ballad of Black Tom, Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries, and Langdon Cook’s The Mushroom Hunters.
Marin Ireland, an actor who has appeared in the films Rachel Getting Married and The Family Fang, was also named a winner of the Golden Voice. She has narrated titles including Jenny Jackson’s Pineapple Street, Emma Straub’s This Time Tomorrow, and Rumaan Alam’s Leave the World Behind.
“For many listeners, an audiobook by a Golden Voice narrator assures exceptional listening,” AudioFile founder Robin Whitten said. “This year’s three Golden Voice narrators have superb performance skills, are keenly attuned to their authors, and are practiced in many genres and styles. Our Golden Voice class of 2023 will delight ears.”
Previous honorees include Cassandra Campbell, January LaVoy, Julia Whelan, Simon Vance, and Edward Herrmann (who, thanks to AI, is still narrating audiobooks, despite having died in 2014).
Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.
