The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

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Rob Houghton
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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Rob Houghton »

Anita Bensoussane wrote:I listened to the first minute or two and thought you read it well, Rob! I only stopped because I thought the excerpt might give away too much of the story and I may well buy the book at some point.
Thanks Anita! yes - ut does give away a key element of the plot, lol! ;-)

Pete - nice creeping! ;-) - but I don't think I can make it available as an audio book on Amazon. It would be quite a mammoth task! That excerpt was only just over 5 pages, and lasts 10 minutes! :lol: The whole book is 314 pages. :-D

Thank you for your kind words, both - I really do hate listening to my recorded voice, but I think a lot of us are like that, as we rarely hear our voice as others do!
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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pete9012S
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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by pete9012S »

Yes, I dislike my own voice too Rob. I have two cousins who have lived in South Africa, Hong Kong and Australia.

Growing up,they attended a prestigious school in England as boarders like many of Enid's characters did and yet they envy me my Northern accent!

I think they are mad - but they say they feel that an accent rather than their pronounced diction would give them a sense of belonging, something others whom they met could identify them by instead of them inevitably always being asked where they are from..
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Moonraker »

Anita Bensoussane wrote: I only stopped because I thought the excerpt might give away too much of the story and I may well buy the book at some point.
Haha! I was going to use that excuse, then I realised I had already read it! :roll:

I found the background music irritating and unnecessary, which is why I didn't last till the end of the clip. However, you have a great voice, Rob. I never imagined you sounding like that at all. Well done - if your book flops, I am sure you could have a career in voice-overs or narration. You might even join The Archers! :D
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Rob Houghton
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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Rob Houghton »

The 'irritating' background music deflects the listener away from my voice, lol! :-D
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Eddie Muir »

I agree with Nigel. You have a great reading voice and I enjoyed listening to your clip, Rob. :D
'Go down to the side-shows by the river this afternoon. I'll meet you somewhere in disguise. Bet you won't know me!' wrote Fatty.

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Rob Houghton
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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Rob Houghton »

Thank you! :-D

As the Archers is recorded in Birmingham perhaps I might get on there one day!! :-D :lol:

I have been on the Birmingham BBC soap 'Doctors' several times. 8)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Lucky Star
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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Lucky Star »

Great clip Rob. Both as regards to the reading and the prose. :D
"What a lot of trouble one avoids if one refuses to have anything to do with the common herd. To have no job, to devote ones life to literature, is the most wonderful thing in the world. - Cicero

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Rob Houghton
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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Rob Houghton »

Thank you! :-D
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Rob Houghton
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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Rob Houghton »

I'm offering the Kindle version of my book for free until December (with Kindle Unlimited) :-D

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Summer-Ro ... 604&sr=8-1
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Courtenay »

I haven't listened to very much of the audio chapter as I haven't read the book yet and don't want to hit any spoilers, but your reading sounds fine to me, Rob.
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
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Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Rob Houghton »

Thank you Courtenay! :-D I just think I sound Brummie, but maybe not as much as some people! :lol:
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Courtenay
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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Courtenay »

Don't worry mate, I can't stand my recorded voice either. I sound horrendously Aussie. :mrgreen:
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Rob Houghton »

I wouldn't mind sounding Aussie! :-D Or American, or Canadian. :-D :lol:
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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pete9012S
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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by pete9012S »

Courtenay wrote: ..horrendously Aussie..
Surely that is an oxymoron?

:shock:
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- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

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Re: The Last Summer - Robert Houghton

Post by Daisy »

I think we're all in the same boat when hearing our recorded voices. I can't stand mine. Rob, I just caught the faintest of Brummie inflexions occasionally.
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.

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