This is a reading from Ammonite, in which Marghe learns the true history of the original inhabitants of Jeep. It’s eleven and half minutes long.
http://www.nicolagriffith.com/audio/player.swf
(direct link)
This reading was a request. I do that. So if there’s any particular bit of my work–fiction or non-fiction–that you fancy hearing read aloud, just ask. Nicely. Some things are more difficult to read than others, for example, dialogue-heavy multi-character scenes, but in general I’ll give almost anything a go.
Oh, and there’s one obvious error in this reading. I left it in because when I tried to fix it, it sounded terrible, a really obvious audio cut-and-paste. So I’m relying on listeners to do that internal edit most people do when faced with something that doesn’t make sense. Five points and a smile to the first person who spots it.
Nicola Griffith 
Beautiful Nicola. Thank you for sharing this. You have such a lovely narrative voice. It carries over so gently, yet with a prose of confidence, somehow hinting that no matter what, everything’s gonna be okay. I love the descriptive sentence in regards to swirling skirts and the aroma Marghe caught wind of. So delicate and whimsical.I found no error, but can I still receive a smile? :)
<>Marghe drew her knees up, and settled the drums between her skirts.<> It was Thenike who did that. ;-)But I noticed only because I’ve read that passage many times over. I like the edits you’ve done to turn it into a reading. Thank you for this. I had often wished I could have someone tell me this story by the campfire. Today, I came here, closed my eyes, and listened surrounded by the warmth of our community. This passage resonates with me on many levels, maybe even on a deep, ancestral level, except my people walked for ages—and still do—over the hot sand of the desert, and the river that turned into a threat is north, not south. I have more thoughts, but I need some tea and to sit quietly for a bit to gather them up. BRB.Thank you. This is very special to me.
<>realmcovet<>, :)<>karina<>, gold star, and 5 points, and a smile :)You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked it.
Great reading. Good thing for us that you got that request. Fitting that Karina wins the competition. :) I was tempted by the test this morning, but had to wait until later to listen. It’s also cool to hear the proper pronunciation for some of these names.
One of my earliest memories is hearing my mother read wonderful stories aloud. I loved it and I still do. Of course, she didn’t write the stories she read, so that’s an added gift. Thanks.
<>jennifer<>, yes, very fitting. She also helped with how to pronounce Tehuantepec.<>barbara<>, you’re welcome. Sometimes doing the reading without an audience is a bit tricky–this time doubly so (people from the city were outside in the ravine with chainsaws, trimming branches away from the power lines)–but I’m always glad to have done it.
I’m in trouble. I want to vid this and I don’t know how yet. I’ve been squeezing my brain for memories of documentaries, movies, video clips, cartoons, etc. that may work… Nada. *sigh* I’ll keep my hamster wheels turning, and listening to this until something dawns on me.I *heart* this reading. Thank You again.
My pleasure. And I totally understand that hamster wheel thing, round and round and round. If it’s going to work, the answers will pop into your head as soon as you stop thinking about it. If it’s not going to work then, hey, there’ll be other readings…