Charlie is an audiobook narrator. He received an Earphones Award for his narration of the best-selling and Pulitzer prize winning novel Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. He also won the award for his work on "Boys of Alabama," "The Oracle Year," "Southernmost," and "The Terranauts." He has narrated books for Penguin, Harper Collins, Deyan Audio, BeeAudio, Audible, Dreamspace, Hachette Audio, Blackstone Audio, AudioGo, Tantor Audio, Podium, and Vibrance Press. Visit Audible.com for a list of titles narrated by Charlie.
Here's what critics are saying:
Here's what critics are saying:
Lark Ascending / Silas House
Thurston's passionate narration matches the pace of this audiobook perfectly, and his strong emotional range keeps listeners riveted as they follow Lark's struggle to survive.
~Audiofile (V.B.)
Demon Copperhead / Barbara Kingsolver (Earphones Award!)
Nearly everyone in this story is from Lee County, so accents don't vary much. But Thurston manages to suggest all the major characters with subtle shifts of timbre, and he keeps Damon's sad narrative from sounding like whining. The novel is depressing yet gripping, and its conclusion, at least, is hopeful.
~Audiofile (D.M.H.)
Boys of Alabama / Genevieve Hudson (Earphones Award!)
"Thurston offers the perfect dynamic narration for such a rich story. Max is depicted as a complex character with multiple layers. Listeners will experience Thurston peeling those layers with tenderness, sympathy, and compassion. A remarkable performance charged with melodrama and polished theatrics makes this a gem amid narrations."
~AudioFile (G.M.)
The Oracle Year / Charles Soule
"Narrator Charlie Thurston carefully leads the listener down the story's path with subtle intonations suggesting that our hero is never quite sure he is doing the right thing."
~Audiofile (M.S.)
Southernmost / Silas House (Earphones Award!)
"Narrator Charlie Thurston deftly navigates this road story of a father and son on the run. Thurston's performance evokes both empathy and anger in the listener. He uses a soft Southern accent as Asher escapes to the Florida Keys. The novel begins a bit slowly but, as performed by Thurston, is in the end shocking and emotionally satisfying. Thurston's evocative performance leaves the listener filled with a potent combination of hope, joy, and sadness."
~Audiofile (R.O.)
Iconic Advantage / Soon Yu
"You won't find a better narrator for this type of business book than Charlie Thurston. He's clear-voiced, comfortable with the material, and full of interesting pitch and phrasing patterns that he adjusts to every nuance in the writing."
~Audiofile (T.W.)
Going for a Beer / Robert Coover
"Narrator Charlie Thurston's mettle and vocal dexterity are tested in this collection of short fiction by the renowned postmodernist Robert Coover. These stories can be maddening (the repetitions in "The Elevator"); intensely sensual (the love scene in "You Must Remember This"); almost hallucinatory (in the multiple points of view in "The Babysitter"). In these, among others, in this collection, the narrator is asked to perform stories that are like gyroscopes, turning in and out on themselves. Thurston's vocal virtuosity is on display in the charged dialogue of Coover's imagining of an intense sex scene between Rick and Ilsa of the movie CASABLANCA. Here the narrator convincingly acts out both characters in explicit action. Coover's stories need a deft reader; Thurston more than meets the challenge."
~Audiofile (A.D.M.)
Bang! / Barry Lyga
"Narrator Charlie Thurston turns in an energetic performance of Lyga's young adult novel. [...] Thurston's skillful pacing as Sebastian reaches the edge of suicide again will keep listeners glued to their earbuds."
~AudioFile (S.G.)
Love, Africa / Jeffrey Gettleman
"Charlie Thurston proves up to the task of narrating this memoir by NEW YORK TIMES East Africa bureau chief Jeffrey Gettleman.[...] Thurston's steady, even understated, narration works. He neatly handles the adrenaline-laced scenes in which the author and his wife, Courtenay, a videographer, are kidnapped, waylaid, or up to their ears in dust, mud, and fear in various war-torn African nations. This is an audiobook that assesses the dangers and importance of a journalist's calling and is both thoughtfully written and narrated well."
~Audiofile (A.D.M.)
The Terranauts / TC Boyle (Earphones Award!)
"This audio performance captures the intensity that is typical of Boyle's work. Lynde Houck, Joy Osmanski, and Charlie Thurston take turns at the helm of this riveting production [...] Each narrator manages a fully developed character [...] filled with all the emotions one expects in this kind of insular environment. The overall performance, combined with Boyle's imagination and detail, results in a mesmerizing listen."
~AudioFile (L.B.F)
I Hunt Killers / Barry Lyga
“Thurston's understated performance captures the palpable tension of the story… Thurston's voicing for the evil Billy Dent is especially creepy and provides a counterpoint to the voice of the easygoing Sheriff Tanner.”
~AudioFile (L.D.H.)
No Promises in the Wind / Irene Hunt
“Charlie Thurston beautifully narrates this story of 15-year-old Josh and his little brother, Joey, who leave a hungry home in the midst of the Great Depression, armed only with musical talent and pride. Thurston’s voice is plastic; it twists and stretches, shaping lively gangsters, caring carnies, and quiet friends with seeming effortlessness. His performance adds a great deal to this simple narrative. Thurston’s pacing and vocal anguish help listeners connect with the boys despite a writing style that keeps the characters’ suffering at arm’s length.”
~AudioFile (A.M.P.)
Leaving Protection/ Will Hobbs
“Charlie Thurston narrates from the perspective of 16-year-old Robbie, who leaves his isolated home in the Alaska Panhandle to spend his summer fishing for salmon. Despite some apprehension, Robbie takes a job with the reclusive and temperamental Tor Torsen. It’s just Robbie and Torsen on the boat, and Thurston creates revealing voices for both… Thurston’s expressive reading enlivens the lengthy passages of exposition about history and geography, and brings passion to the scenes of fishing.”
~ AudioFile (A. F.)
The Thief /Fuminori Nakamura
“Narrator Charlie Thurston is well matched to the first-person point of view of this story. [His] matter-of-fact delivery is ideal for the mix of intrigue and introspection. Thurston allows the story to gently unfold, and with a playing time of just four hours, it’s perfect for listening to in one session.”
~AudioFile (K.I.P.)
The Winter Hero/ James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
“ Narrator Charlie Thurston's delivery is methodical and precise, with distinct voices for each character. […] Thurston's portrayal of Justin's fears and conviction is spot-on.
~AudioFile (M.F.T)
Thurston's passionate narration matches the pace of this audiobook perfectly, and his strong emotional range keeps listeners riveted as they follow Lark's struggle to survive.
~Audiofile (V.B.)
Demon Copperhead / Barbara Kingsolver (Earphones Award!)
Nearly everyone in this story is from Lee County, so accents don't vary much. But Thurston manages to suggest all the major characters with subtle shifts of timbre, and he keeps Damon's sad narrative from sounding like whining. The novel is depressing yet gripping, and its conclusion, at least, is hopeful.
~Audiofile (D.M.H.)
Boys of Alabama / Genevieve Hudson (Earphones Award!)
"Thurston offers the perfect dynamic narration for such a rich story. Max is depicted as a complex character with multiple layers. Listeners will experience Thurston peeling those layers with tenderness, sympathy, and compassion. A remarkable performance charged with melodrama and polished theatrics makes this a gem amid narrations."
~AudioFile (G.M.)
The Oracle Year / Charles Soule
"Narrator Charlie Thurston carefully leads the listener down the story's path with subtle intonations suggesting that our hero is never quite sure he is doing the right thing."
~Audiofile (M.S.)
Southernmost / Silas House (Earphones Award!)
"Narrator Charlie Thurston deftly navigates this road story of a father and son on the run. Thurston's performance evokes both empathy and anger in the listener. He uses a soft Southern accent as Asher escapes to the Florida Keys. The novel begins a bit slowly but, as performed by Thurston, is in the end shocking and emotionally satisfying. Thurston's evocative performance leaves the listener filled with a potent combination of hope, joy, and sadness."
~Audiofile (R.O.)
Iconic Advantage / Soon Yu
"You won't find a better narrator for this type of business book than Charlie Thurston. He's clear-voiced, comfortable with the material, and full of interesting pitch and phrasing patterns that he adjusts to every nuance in the writing."
~Audiofile (T.W.)
Going for a Beer / Robert Coover
"Narrator Charlie Thurston's mettle and vocal dexterity are tested in this collection of short fiction by the renowned postmodernist Robert Coover. These stories can be maddening (the repetitions in "The Elevator"); intensely sensual (the love scene in "You Must Remember This"); almost hallucinatory (in the multiple points of view in "The Babysitter"). In these, among others, in this collection, the narrator is asked to perform stories that are like gyroscopes, turning in and out on themselves. Thurston's vocal virtuosity is on display in the charged dialogue of Coover's imagining of an intense sex scene between Rick and Ilsa of the movie CASABLANCA. Here the narrator convincingly acts out both characters in explicit action. Coover's stories need a deft reader; Thurston more than meets the challenge."
~Audiofile (A.D.M.)
Bang! / Barry Lyga
"Narrator Charlie Thurston turns in an energetic performance of Lyga's young adult novel. [...] Thurston's skillful pacing as Sebastian reaches the edge of suicide again will keep listeners glued to their earbuds."
~AudioFile (S.G.)
Love, Africa / Jeffrey Gettleman
"Charlie Thurston proves up to the task of narrating this memoir by NEW YORK TIMES East Africa bureau chief Jeffrey Gettleman.[...] Thurston's steady, even understated, narration works. He neatly handles the adrenaline-laced scenes in which the author and his wife, Courtenay, a videographer, are kidnapped, waylaid, or up to their ears in dust, mud, and fear in various war-torn African nations. This is an audiobook that assesses the dangers and importance of a journalist's calling and is both thoughtfully written and narrated well."
~Audiofile (A.D.M.)
The Terranauts / TC Boyle (Earphones Award!)
"This audio performance captures the intensity that is typical of Boyle's work. Lynde Houck, Joy Osmanski, and Charlie Thurston take turns at the helm of this riveting production [...] Each narrator manages a fully developed character [...] filled with all the emotions one expects in this kind of insular environment. The overall performance, combined with Boyle's imagination and detail, results in a mesmerizing listen."
~AudioFile (L.B.F)
I Hunt Killers / Barry Lyga
“Thurston's understated performance captures the palpable tension of the story… Thurston's voicing for the evil Billy Dent is especially creepy and provides a counterpoint to the voice of the easygoing Sheriff Tanner.”
~AudioFile (L.D.H.)
No Promises in the Wind / Irene Hunt
“Charlie Thurston beautifully narrates this story of 15-year-old Josh and his little brother, Joey, who leave a hungry home in the midst of the Great Depression, armed only with musical talent and pride. Thurston’s voice is plastic; it twists and stretches, shaping lively gangsters, caring carnies, and quiet friends with seeming effortlessness. His performance adds a great deal to this simple narrative. Thurston’s pacing and vocal anguish help listeners connect with the boys despite a writing style that keeps the characters’ suffering at arm’s length.”
~AudioFile (A.M.P.)
Leaving Protection/ Will Hobbs
“Charlie Thurston narrates from the perspective of 16-year-old Robbie, who leaves his isolated home in the Alaska Panhandle to spend his summer fishing for salmon. Despite some apprehension, Robbie takes a job with the reclusive and temperamental Tor Torsen. It’s just Robbie and Torsen on the boat, and Thurston creates revealing voices for both… Thurston’s expressive reading enlivens the lengthy passages of exposition about history and geography, and brings passion to the scenes of fishing.”
~ AudioFile (A. F.)
The Thief /Fuminori Nakamura
“Narrator Charlie Thurston is well matched to the first-person point of view of this story. [His] matter-of-fact delivery is ideal for the mix of intrigue and introspection. Thurston allows the story to gently unfold, and with a playing time of just four hours, it’s perfect for listening to in one session.”
~AudioFile (K.I.P.)
The Winter Hero/ James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
“ Narrator Charlie Thurston's delivery is methodical and precise, with distinct voices for each character. […] Thurston's portrayal of Justin's fears and conviction is spot-on.
~AudioFile (M.F.T)