CREEKSONG AUDIOBOOK
The dynamic, sonorous audiobook directed by award winner director, Christopher Baudat, and narrated by Wendy Sarkissian
"HOW CAN I POSSIBLY LIVE HERE? I FEEL SO UNDEFENDED AND UNPROTECTED. MY GOD. WHAT AM I DOING?"
An abused child, a betrayed wife, a terrified woman driven to despair by impending ecological disaster. Wendy's grief and loss threaten to destroy her life until she finds herself reborn during a solitary year in an Australian rainforest.
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR CREEKSONG
Wendy Sarkissian was a leader in community engagement in Australia for half a century. Now, in Creeksong, she blends her passion for community engagement with her spirituality and a deep love of nature in a hard-hitting, timely book...her infinite wisdom continues to inspire me.
Becky Hirst, FRSA
Author, "For the Love of Community Engagement"
Creeksong is remarkable. Spun from the life of a leading feminist, planner, and eco-activist, this book is charming, wise, and surprising. Best of all, it is life-affirming as it helps us face dark clouds ahead.
Aidan Davison, PhD
Associate Professor of human geography and environmental studies, University of Tasmania
Wendy's writing gives us all bright access into her numinous world. I strongly recommend that those of a skeptical, "mainstream" bent read it. Not least, for her courage, thoughtfulness, and grounding on an earth in danger - lessons for us all. And it's a very good story...by a writer with a fearless mind and a boundless heart.
Emeritus Professor David Wilmoth
Director, Learning Cities International
AN AUDIOBOOK UNLIKE ANY OTHER
Christopher Baudat, the producer and director of the Creeksong audiobook, explains some of the challenges he and Wendy encountered, the daring choices they made, and the mesmerizing transformation of Wendy's captivating story into an immersive auditory adventure.
"I must confess something. A couple of years ago, when Wendy Sarkissian and I embarked on this adventure, we were, in many ways, newcomers to the world of audiobooks. Neither of us had ever listened to an audiobook before taking on this audacious task. What's more, we were both 73 and 79 years old, not your typical audiobook enthusiasts!
Choosing the "Radio Play" Style
Early in our discussions, Wendy and I made a pivotal decision that became the cornerstone of our audiobook: we opted for a Radio Play style. Unlike traditional narration, this style infused our storytelling with richness and vibrancy, akin to a captivating cinematic experience. It introduced multiple voices, sound effects, and music, immersing listeners in a world of sensory delight.
While traditional narration has its charms, we believed that the theatrical and immersive elements of the Radio Play style were a perfect match for "Creeksong." This choice was deeply influenced by one of the story's more dramatic settings—the acoustically rich tropical forests of northern Australia, where some aspects of Wendy's remarkable journey unfolded. Especially at night, this environment came alive with a symphony of sounds, courtesy of the diverse array of nocturnal birds and land animals. Despite the added complexity that the special effects entailed, we felt compelled to embrace this more challenging style.
The Power of a Radio Play
Before we go any further, let's briefly distinguish between traditional audiobook narration and the Radio Play technical recording task.
For me, the creation of this audiobook was a journey of exploration, experimentation, and creativity. I could merge my passion for soundscapes with the art of storytelling, resulting in an auditory experience that I hope resonates deeply with everyone.
Unique Experiences and Challenges
In the Radio Play style of "Creeksong," we introduced a unique element—a solitary woman singing the blues in various settings, including a barren post-war suburban community in Canada in the 1950s and a remote tropical Australian forest. This choice transformed the audiobook into an immersive masterpiece. It introduced multiple voices, including that of the forest itself. I carefully curated sound effects and music to enhance the storytelling, creating a sensory journey for the listener.
Contrasting Radio Play with Straight Narration
While straight narration has its appeal due to its intimate nature, it offers less engagement compared to the Radio Play style. It lacks the immersive elements of multiple sound effects, music, and different voices. Prolonged listening to a single narrator can lead to monotony and cause listeners to lose interest. It also lacks some of the cinematic elements that the Radio Play style provides, making it less immersive for listeners seeking a more dynamic storytelling experience.
Join Us on This Sonic Adventure
Our decision to embrace this style enriched Wendy's remarkable journey. It allowed every sound effect and piece of music to enrich her narrative's depth and emotion.
I can't wait for you to experience it.
LISTEN TO AN EXCERPT FROM CREEKSONG
Who could tell the story of Creeksong best? This was the dilemma facing Christopher as he tackled one of his most daunting challenges to date
After extensive auditioning, it was clear to director Christopher that Wendy was clearly the most authentic narrator for the audiobook of Creeksong; she had lived through the terror, tests, and challenges in the forest, including extreme heat, wildfire, torrential rains and poisonous snakes...and experienced the depth of the universal yearning for love we all share.
BUY CREEKSONG, BY WENDY SARKISSIAN
Hear Wendy sing her Creeksong
If you're ready to follow Wendy on her journey of exploration, you can order Creeksong now.
Creeksong, by Wendy Sarkissian, PhD, is available to order from Amazon USA by clicking here.
Readers in Canada can order Creeksong from Amazon Canada by clicking here.
Creeksong can be ordered by Australian readers from Amazon Australia by clicking here.