These days, publishers for most well-known novelists hire voice actors to read their works.
But that wasn’t the case with our greatest novelist. For the most part, she chose to go into a recording booth and read her own novels.
You’re listening to Remarkable Receptions—a podcast about popular and critical responses to African American novels and more.
[[Toni Morrison reading]]
That’s Toni Morrison reading from her critically-acclaimed and award-winning novel, Beloved.
As an editor, novelist, nonfiction writer, professor, and children’s book writer, Morrison took on and excelled in many roles.
And she also wanted to make sure the sounds of her characters in her mind were the sounds presented to the world, so she also assumed the role of audiobook voice actor.
Here she is reading from her novel Song of Solomon.
[[Toni Morrison reading]]
Most publishers hire voice actors to read the books of novelists, and that was initially the case with Morrison. Actresses Lynne Thigpen and Alfre Woodard produced recordings of Morrison’s novels. However, when Morrison listened closely, she realized that the emphases of some words and dialogue where not where she had heard them in her mind while composing the novels.
So she decided that she would record her novels herself so that they could sound exactly how she imagined.
[[Toni Morrison reading]]
That’s Morrison reading from her first novel, The Bluest Eye.
In at least one interview, Morrison observed that some people said hearing the audio production of The Bluest Eye made it easier for them to understand the novel. Apparently, the audio recording affected how they comprehended the narrative.
Although Morrison preferred reading the English editions of her novels, her publishers employed international voice actors to read translations of the books. Morrison commented favorably on a reading of her novel Home performed by French actress Anna Mouglalis. Morrison felt that both she and Mouglalis have low voices, which listeners may have found appealing.
Here’s Mouglalis reading from Morrison’s Home.
[[Anna Mouglalis reading]]
Someday perhaps, when a US publisher reissues audiobooks of Morrison’s novels, they might hire Robin Miles to read Beloved or Dion Graham to read Song of Solomon. In other words, we might get a chance to hear our most talented voice actors read the works of our most talented novelist.
In the meantime, we have the opportunity to continue listening to Morrison give her readings.
[[Toni Morrison reading from God Help the Child]]
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This episode was written by Howard Rambsy. The episode was edited by Elizabeth Cali.
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This podcast, Remarkable Receptions, is part of the Black Literature Network, a joint project from African American literary studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the History of Black Writing at the University of Kansas. The project was made possible by the generous support of the Mellon Foundation. For more information, visit blacklitnetwork.org.