Audiobook review: The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon

Lovers of Lemony Snicket, Neil Gaiman, and Roald Dahl (there's quite the Trunchbull-like character in this novel) will surely find nothing dull about The Doldrums, the story of a young Archer Helmsley who lives with his parents in the house formerly occupied by his grandparents. While Archer has never met his grandparents, he feels very close to them and wishes he could accompany them on their great adventures around the world. Instead, he must be reminded daily by his mother that life should be lived with an abundance of caution because no one wants to end up presumed dead as a result of a rogue iceberg in Antarctica like his grandparents. 

But Archer is convinced that his grandparents are in fact alive and he enlists the help of his two friends -- Adélaïde L. Belmont who moved to their little town from France and claims she lost her leg to a crocodile, and Oliver Glub, who is as practical as Archer is impetuous -- to accompany him to Antarctica to find them. 

I listened to the audiobook of this novel, but also checked out a physical copy of the book at the library so as not to miss out on the stunning color illustrations that reminded me a bit of Molly Idle's style.

Bronson Pinchot narrates the audiobook and does a fabulous job. After listening to him narrate The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, I already decided that if I ever saw him narrate another audiobook, I would listen to it regardless if I wanted to read the book or not. His voices are always so full of life and character. I especially loved how Pinchot interpreted the character of Oliver Glub, someone who knows how to rock a lisp. 

I can't wait to read the next book in the series. 


The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon
Audiobook Narrator: Bronson Pinchot
Published: September 29, 2015
Publisher: Greenwillow/HarperAudio
Pages: 358
Audiobook Length: 6 hours, 19 minutes
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Middle Grade
Disclosure: Audiobook download provided by publisher
 
If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound.