What did you love best about The Wicked One?
I love how Lucien got ‘his comeuppance.’ It was as though Love itself was sick of his bold maneuvers and relentless control of his siblings. In the end, he got a much truer lesson than anything his siblings could have planned for him.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wicked One?
Hard question, as there were several of them. One was when Lucien’s rescue of his wife was greatly hampered by his injury and subsequent inability to make it back home to get help.
Which character – as performed by David Stifel – was your favorite?
Lucien, of course!! Instead of falling into the all too easy trap of reading Lucien in a monotone ‘uninterested British’ voice, Mr. Stifel gave him the full range that the dialogue called for: crisp enunciation for irritation, almost a lighthearted lilt for playfulness, full commanding voice for anger, among others. Lucien is quite a colorful character, and Mr. Stifel performed him as the book described, “with a voice as smooth as cognac.”
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes, but real-world needs kept interrupting me!
Any additional comments?
Mr. Stifel’s French accent isn’t as good as his British one. Still, it was only in one small scene and did not detract from the story.