Reader Profile: Simon Jones

I'm trying to hold back my enthusiasm as I write this. If I express my true feelings about narrator Simon Jones I'm worried it may approach stalking which would not be a good thing. I need to remain subtle. I'm sure I'd be in more trouble if I lived on the same side of the continent as him. Jones, who I believe is a British transplant living in New York, has quite possibly one of the smoothest, most consistent, and most interesting voices I've ever heard. The guy could read me the phone book, a parking ticket, or my rights and I'd be perfectly content.

I have heard Simon Jones read the Bartimaeus books (some of my personal favourites – see post from Sunday, July 10, 2011) multiple times, The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke, and the last three books in the Children of the Red King series by Jenny Nimmo. These are just a few of the over 70 audiobooks he has narrated – obviously I have some catching up to do. He is also an accomplished stage and screen actor.

Born July 27, 1950, Simon Jones is perhaps most famous for his TV and radio portrayal of Arthur Dent in the original Hitchhiker'sGuide to the Galaxy (1978 – 2005). Jones also narrates some of the audiobooks for the series and was a close friend of the author, Douglas Adams. Adams indicated in an interview that he wrote the character of Arthur Dent with Jones in mind. Jones, along with Monty Python alumni John Cleese, Eric Idle, and Graham Chapman, got an early start in theatre as a member of the Cambridge Footlights Dramatic Club in his youth. Other alumni include Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson. I guess being in this kind of crowd would inspire one to get funny or get out. It's a good thing they all learned so much from Simon!

In an Audiofile Magazine profile of Jones, the characters he voices were described as:

"so fluent that they seem able to see around corners. He anticipates the shape of a written idea as it unfolds and then nuances his performance accordingly. Combine that talent with a pleasant baritone, a knack for dialects, and a rather posh English accent, and you have a powerful voice of authority and wit..."

I concur. In that same article, Jones describes why he puts such a great deal of thought and preparation into one of his narration jobs.

“It’s impossible to do these things blind,” he says. “I think of the audience--a person on a long journey, perhaps. I want to make things very clear for him, so he’s not rewinding the tape and straining to make sense of what I’ve said. That’s dangerous when you’re doing seventy. I’ll have no car accidents on my conscience.”

As someone who commutes 45 minutes to work, I appreciate his concern for my vehicular safety! (He cares, he really cares!).

Jones also listens to audiobooks, which is very cool! And oh yeah, and he's also a cousin to James Bond actor Daniel Craig, or should I say Daniel Craig is a cousin to Simon Jones of Bartimaeus audiobook fame?

You can learn more about Simon at his Wikipedia page, an excellent article in Audiofile Magazine, and from his own personal website.

Trying an experiment here - listen to Simons dreamy tones here!

Listen Up!

The Amulet of Samarkand,  (13 hours, 30 minutes) Listening Library, (Book release 2003)

The Golem's Eye, (16 hours, 32 minutes) Listening Library, (Book release 2004)

Ptolemy's Gate, (15 hours, 32 minutes), Listening Library, (Book release 2005)
The Ring of Solomon, (12 hours, 38 minutes), Listening Library, (Book release 2010)

All things Bartimaeus

The Amulet of Samarkand, the first book in the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud, was the first long audiobook I listened to that got me absolutely and completely hooked on the format. I listened a couple of summers ago when I was driving solo to Saskatchewan for my annual summer lounging at the lake event. I had heard Simon Jones' voice before in The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke, but the combination of Jones and the devilish Bartimaeus was like someone poured fine chocolate in my ears. Someday soon I will create a blog post / shrine to Simon Jones.

I think the books are a bit confusing because Bartimaeus, a 2000 + year old djinny (mid-level spirit) with a serious attitude problem, is not the villain of the story, he's more like the hero although he comes across as a villain. He has intelligence, extreme wit, and standards. Nathanial, the boy magician-in-training who summons Bartimaeus, does not display many heroic characteristics early on. By the end of the third book I completely adored both of them. Nathanial, however, is definitely an acquired taste.

Together Nathanial and Bartimaeus battle a rebellion in the world of London magicians who parallel the politicians of our world. In their world, the magicians have all the political power, even though they rely on the spirits they summon and control for their magical powers. There is intrigue, murder, revolution, betrayal, and an enormous amount of humour – all the good stuff.

In the Prequel, The Ring of Solomon, which came out in 2010, Bartimaeus creates a similar kind of irreverent havoc in Jerusalem in 950 AD. There he is involved in a plot to by Asmira, a young woman who, as Captain of the Guard, has been enlisted by her Queen (the Queen of Sheba) to assassinate Solomon. More mayhem, murder, magic, and sarcasm – perfect!

I downloaded all four books for free through the BC Public Library's Library to Go site. You can download excerpts from there, or from the Random House Audio links below.

Listen up!

The Amulet of Samarkand  (13 hours, 30 minutes) Listening Library, (2003)
The Golem's Eye (16 hours, 32 minutes) Listening Library, (2004)
Ptolemy's Gate (15 hours, 32 minutes), Listening Library, (2005)
The Ring of Solomon (12 hours, 38 minutes), Listening Library, (2010)