Publishers Weekly
Isherwood's resurrected classic—now a feature film—takes us to Southern California in the 1960s and into one day in the life of George, a gay, middle-aged English professor, struggling to cope with his young lover's tragic death. Simon Prebble's voice is a perfect conduit for Isherwood's lyricism, and he assumes the role of George so naturally and with such raw feeling that listeners will feel as if they are hearing the words straight from the protagonist himself, so beautifully does Prebble create George's reserve behind which surge tides of grief, rage, and bitter loneliness. A University of Minnesota paperback. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
A lyrical narrative that humanizes [the protagonist], and this is where Prebble’s narration shines. His voice captures all of George’s loneliness . . . his frustration with his students . . . and his sometimes-awkward interactions with friends, finally culminating in a wonderfully ambiguous ending.”
—AudioFile
“Simon Prebble’s voice is a perfect conduit for Isherwood’s lyricism, and he assumes the role of George so naturally and with such raw feeling that listeners will feel as if they are hearing the words straight from the protagonist.”
—Publishers Weekly
Audiofile
A lyrical narrative that humanizes [the protagonist], and this is where Prebble’s narration shines. His voice captures all of George’s loneliness . . . his frustration with his students . . . and his sometimes-awkward interactions with friends, finally culminating in a wonderfully ambiguous ending.”
—AudioFile
Library Journal
Set in 1962 Southern California, the late Isherwood's (Goodbye to Berlin) classic 1964 novel is a stream-of-consciousness, day-in-the-life portrait of George, a middle-aged college professor who must adjust to being on his own after the death of his longtime partner, Jim. Narrator Simon Prebble (www.simonprebble.com) effectively captures George's loneliness, despair, and disillusionment with his mundane affairs as he persists in his regular routines. For appreciators of serious literature; expect requests owing to Tom Ford's Oscar-nominated 2008 film adaptation. [Two other of Isherwood's works—Christopher and His Kind and Prater Violet—are also newly available on audio from this publisher.—Ed.]—Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence
JANUARY 2010 - AudioFile
The promotional material for this new audio edition of Christopher Isherwood's 1964 novel describes it as "no longer shocking," but nowadays it's hard to imagine how A SINGLE MAN was ever considered controversial. It follows one day in the life of a gay professor, who is brought to life by Simon Prebble's characterization. There are no scandalous sex scenes, just a lyrical narrative that humanizes George, and this is where Prebble's narration shines. His voice captures all of George's loneliness (his lover has recently died), his frustration with his students, and his sometimes-awkward interactions with friends, finally culminating in a wonderfully ambiguous ending as George falls into bed at the end of the day. D.B. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
