#dickhill #jackreacher #leechild #thegreatsantini #patconroy #ptdeutermann #pacificglory #michaelconnelly #harrybosch
A Tribute to Dick Hill
Recently I learned that one of my favorite narrators died earlier this month. I’ve never done a tribute post to a narrator, but Dick Hill was one of the great ones and is worthy of praise because he exemplifies an opinion that I’ve often shared. The right narrator can take a book to a whole new level and an excellent performance by a narrator is what makes audiobooks a very special medium because it frees up your mind and your eyes and allows you to hear and to feel the artist’s interpretation of the author’s words.
Dick Hill will be forever remembered by his fans as the voice of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher. I would find it difficult to choose a favorite among the Reacher books, but here is my review of Killing Floor, the first in the series; however, Mr. Hill wasn’t a one-dimensional narrator with only one character in his repertoire. He was also the voice of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch as well as bringing to life Pat Conroy’s unforgettable character Bull Meechum in The Great Santini. I have actually listened to The Great Santini more than once because I was so captivated by the story and by Dick Hill’s performance. It’s been six years since I reviewed this classic … maybe it’s time to listen again!
Another personal favorite of mine is Mr. Hill’s performance of Pacific Glory by P. T. Deutermann because it clearly demonstrates the versatility of this gifted man and his ability to draw listeners into the characters regardless of age or gender. I republish my review of Pacific Glory periodically because Mr. Deutermann’s words and Mr. Hill’s narration are bound to rekindle your patriotism and your love of country.
Dick Hill wasn’t just a prolific narrator with over 1,000 audiobooks to his credit: he was also a husband, a father, a playwright, an actor, and a painter. I recommend that if you aren’t already a follower of his work, you take the time to listen to some of the audiobooks I’ve mentioned as well as those he recorded for other authors such as Nora Roberts, Stephen White, Ed McBain, Dave Barry, and Dean Koontz. If you are a lover of the classics, you’ll also find the work of Charles Dickens and Mark Twain among his recordings.
If you want to know more about this fascinating artist, I’ve included links to some articles written by fellow admirers. Mr. Hill was a modest man who took great pride in his work. It is fitting that he leaves behind the legacy of his unique voice and his gift for vocal interpretation of the written word.
Mystery Thriller Week – An Ode to the Career of Narrator Dick Hill
Michael Cavacini – A Conversation With Dick Hill
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