Greene and Durrenmatt

Greene

Having recently finished outstanding audio books by my favorite novelist and my favorite playwright, Graham Greene's The Human Factor read by Tim Piggot-Smith and Friedrich Durrenmatt"s The Physicists performed by L.A. Theatre Works, I am reminded of a storytelling gift they share: they can infuse gripping suspense-driven stories with layers of rich characterization and twists of plot, putting stories under the lens of complex social and political issues. Their stories are timeless because the issues are timeless. Though sharing plot interests with popular genre lit, these stories leave them in the dust with their richness and complexity. Each story ends darkly, not happily, the protagonists "sad but wiser" (to use David Mamet's term for such endings).

Durrenmatt

These stories are especially effective as audio. Tim Piggot-Smith's reading is dramatic and nuanced, like an actor playing all the parts of a play. The Durrenmatt play was recorded from a live performance. Each audio book is gripping -- and each is delivered by audio slower than if read, which gives more time for the richness and artistry to sink in and be appreciated. I give each audio book the highest recommendation. I'm sure I will listen to each again in the future.