PICTURE: OLIVER ROSSER FEAST CREATIVE
FRONT
Ian McKellen is a sound for sore ears
Kicking off our celeb birthday round-up are professional smoulderers Jamie Dornan, Joanna Lumley and Julie Benz, all of whom will look bloody beautiful when they blow out their candles on the very first day of May. Following them on May Day is charisma machine Dwayne Johnson, aftershave hawker David Beckham and ray of sunshine Ellie Kemper, who are all presumably ardent supporters of workers’ rights. Less gorgeous but equally talented is an impressive roster of film directors with birthdays in May, including Wes Anderson (1st), John Woo (1st), Michel Gondry (8th) and Robert Zemeckis (14th). Prefer to see glamour in front of the camera? Then join us in wishing many happy returns to acting royalty Robert Pattinson (13th), Cate Blanchett (14th), Tim Roth (14th) and Samantha Morton (13th). George ‘Gorgeous George’ Clooney (6th) straddles several of the above camps, as someone who has been both in front and behind the movie camera. And is, as the nickname suggests, quite gorgeous. Our selection of Scots who burst forth into the world like a Xenomorph includes musical supremos David Byrne (14th) and Donovan (10th), plus Andy Murray (15th), Craig Ferguson (17th), Martin Compston (8th) and Phyllida Law (8th). May your birthdays be happy and your presents many.
MOU THPIE CE Claire L Heuchan argues that snobbish attitudes towards audiobooks ignore the positive impact they have on marginalised communities Audiobooks are the fastest growing segment of the publishing industry. Sales are soaring. Through the first half of 2021, when the country was under lockdown, the income generated by audiobooks was up a colossal 71% from a mere two years before. This rise is meteoric compared to print sales, which grew 6% in the same period; and ebooks, sales of which rose by 10%. Having more free time encouraged more people to try audiobooks, and even as the world opens up again, people continue to listen. But the success of audiobooks isn’t purely down to the pandemic. Even before Covid-19 hit, their popularity grew exponentially. We can listen to books on a dull commute, while cooking and cleaning, when we’re shopping at the supermarket, during walks or long car journeys . . . the possibilities are endless. Audiobooks bring colour to the mundane, and calm us as we live through major historic events. In a cultural landscape increasingly defined by clickbait and endless content, it means something that more and more people choose to spend hours of their lives immersed in listening to books. Ever since the advent of e-readers, people have been predicting doom and gloom for the future of the novel. But this widespread hunger for audiobooks tells a different story. Apps like BorrowBox and Libby have breathed fresh life into local libraries too, allowing people to borrow audiobooks for free. Indeed, research indicates that libraries are the leading competition to Amazonowned Audible which dominates the market. The success of digital catalogues offers still more proof that libraries continue to be vital. Yet, in spite of all the pleasure they bring readers across generations, there is a persistent snobbery attached to audiobooks. Some don’t consider it ‘real’ reading, because the books are narrated. But snobs would do well to reflect on whom their prejudices exclude from the label of reader. The ready availability of audiobooks means that more people who are visually impaired, people with dyslexia or ADHD, can engage with novels than ever before. Besides, as audiobooks grow in popularity, publishers are more likely to invest in quality narration. Ian McKellen, Fiona Shaw, Bahni Turpin, Robin Miles (all tremendous actors in their own right) have made waves performing audiobooks. Their readings add a new dimension to every text. This quality and innovation elevate audiobooks as a medium, ensuring they are here to stay. Audiobooks are a gamechanger. Claire L Heuchan is an author, commentator and award-winning essayist. She’s the founder and chair of Labrys Lit, an international lesbian book group.
Fantastic Mr Fox, directed by and starring two May birthday boys
HAPPY RETURNERS
