SHORTLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FICTION PRIZE 2017 SHORTLISTED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE 2018 'Brilliantly inventive and blazingly smart' Garth Greenwell 'Impossible, imperfect, unforgettable' Roxane Gay 'A wild thing ... covered in sequins and scales, blazing with the influence of fabulists from Angela Carter to Kelly Link and Helen Oyeyemi' New York Times In her provocative debut, Carmen Maria Machado demolishes the borders between magical realism and science fiction, comedy and horror, fantasy and fabulism. Startling narratives map the realities of women's lives and the violence visited on their bodies, both in myth and in practice. A wife refuses her husband's entreaties to remove the mysterious green ribbon from around her neck. A woman recounts her sexual encounters as a plague spreads across the earth. A salesclerk in a mall makes a horrifying discovery about a store's dresses. One woman's surgery-induced weight loss results in an unwanted house guest. Bodies become inconsequential, humans become monstrous, and anger becomes erotic. A dark, shimmering slice into womanhood, Her Body and Other Parties is wicked and exquisite.
“Kafka's voice, with its inherent mystery, dramatic flair, and measured pacing, is ideally suited to convey the lyrical and macabre elements of the narration.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Narration · Character-Voice · Entertainment · Dark · +7 more
“With a breathy and intimate tone, this voice brings a slow, measured dramatic quality that perfectly captures the deep intimacy and dark undertones of the stories.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Serious
“This voice offers an intense, captivating quality that excels in building intrigue and suspense, making it excellent for the horror and mystery aspects of the book.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Modulated
“For a chilling and evocative narration, Veda Sky's haunting and intense tone is ideal for immersing listeners in the supernatural and suspenseful aspects of the tales.”
“A warm yet mysterious delivery characterizes this voice, providing an expressive and softer interpretation of the narrator's intimate and enigmatic observations.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
The Wife (from 'The Husband Stitch')
protagonist
A woman who holds a secret close, her voice should be initially gentle and compliant, but with an underlying firmness and a growing sense of resolve and mystery.
“Kumiko's soft and gentle delivery, combined with a calm, intimate, and measured pace, perfectly embodies the wife's initial gentle nature and underlying mystery.”
“This voice provides a calm, soft presence with a mysterious edge, aptly suiting a character who holds a secret close and possesses a measured, evolving firmness.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“An inherently gentle and soothing voice like Liz's is excellent for portraying the wife's initial compliant demeanor, capable of hinting at deeper, measured resolve.”
Nigerian · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Her warm, gentle rhythm and calm presence align with the wife's initial kindness, while also suggesting a developing sense of firmness and underlying purpose.”
A survivor recounting her past in a world ravaged by plague. Her voice carries a weary wisdom, yet also a detached, almost clinical tone when describing her experiences.
1
Global Artist - Measured and Distant
Editor’s Pick
Global Artist - Measured and Distant
Editor’s PickElevenLabshigh_quality
ElevenLabshigh_quality
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Neutral
“The measured pacing and distant, neutral tone of this voice perfectly capture the detached, almost clinical recounting style of a survivor.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“A mature, grounded, and articulate voice conveys a deeply authentic yet calm presence, fitting the weary wisdom and deliberate intimacy of the character.”
Female · Young · Narration · Low · Deep · Slow · +13 more
“This deep, slow, and serious delivery aligns with the character's calm and deliberate tone, ideal for recounting difficult and impactful experiences.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Kira's steady cadence and mindful presence make her ideal for the calm, measured, and thoughtful reflection of a survivor, emphasizing a controlled narrative.”
Female · Young · Character · Anime · Middle-Aged · Narration · +6 more
“Offering a professional and composed approach, Makima's calm and measured delivery can effectively convey the detached tone when describing past experiences.”
A woman observing the strange and unsettling transformations around her. Her voice should convey a sense of mounting unease, curiosity, and a touch of the grotesque.
1
Sophia Laforteza
Editor’s Pick
Sophia Laforteza
Editor’s PickFish Audio
Fish Audio
Female · Young · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · Social-Media · +48 more
“Sophia's dynamic range, featuring dramatic, dark, and mysterious qualities in a conversational style, perfectly captures the salesclerk's mounting unease and curiosity.”
“The expressive and dramatic quality of Ryoba Aishi, combined with her mysterious storytelling ability, is perfect for conveying the unsettling and grotesque transformations observed.”
“This voice brings a sophisticated conversational style with hints of dramatic and mysterious undertones, ideal for portraying the salesclerk's growing intensity and dark observations.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Sad
“An unconventional choice, Shannon B's exhausted and sarcastic tone could brilliantly embody the character's mounting unease and dark humor in a distinctive conversational way.”
Female · Young · Conversational · Character-Voice · Social-Media · Educational · +47 more
“Manon's young and conversational delivery, with its capacity for dramatic and mysterious tones, effectively conveys the character's initial curiosity and shift towards intense events.”
A persistent and loving husband, yet ultimately demanding and unable to respect boundaries. His voice should be warm and persuasive, but with a growing edge of frustration and entitlement.
1
The prototype v2
Editor’s Pick
The prototype v2
Editor’s PickFish Audio
Fish Audio
Female · Male · Young · Middle-Aged · Old · Character-Voice · +11 more
“The prototype v2's intense male voice, with its commanding and raspy tone, can effectively embody the husband's initial warm persuasiveness, transitioning to a demanding edge of frustration and entitlement.”