It's hard not to get shivers listening to Andrew Scott narrate the first chapter of the audiobook of Shane Hegarty's Darkmouth.
Scott is an inspired choice, with the creepy residue of his brilliant turn as Moriarty in Sherlock still fresh. So what other voices would make excellent narrators of 10 favourite books?
The Test: Brian O’Driscoll’s voice twin Leo Varadkar is the man for the job.
The Wizard of Oz: an updated version narrated by political figures. Enda Kenny as the Tin Man, Michael Lowry as the hapless Scarecrow, James O’Reilly would make a good Lion, Joan Burton as Dorothy, the band Toto, as Toto. And Christine Lagarde as the Wizard, obviously.
Harry Potter: I’d quite fancy a pop version of this entire series. Taylor Swift as Hermione, Bruno Mars as Harry Potter. Ed Sheeran as Ron Weasley. Sam Smith as Dobby the House Elf. Fever Ray as Voldemort. Soak as Ginny Weasley. Hozier as Severus Snape. Macklemore as Draco Malfoy (his accent would need some work, though). Lana Del Rey as Luna Lovegood. We could go on.
Fifty Shades Of Grey: Rihanna and Drake for the laugh.
Not That Kind Of Girl: Lena Dunham. Twink. Just say yes.
To Kill A Mocking Bird: Lorde narrates the curious Scout, George Clooney as Atticus, Tom Cruise as Boo Radley, and someone solid and reliable as Jem. Like Denis Irwin.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Narrated by Kanye West.
Nineteen Eighty-Four: Edward Snowden would make sense to do the entire audiobook of this classic.
The Famous Five: This series is well due a makeover. Benedict Cumberbatch as Julian. Harry Styles as Dick. Meryl Streep as George (because she was always the best). Kate Middleton as Anne. And Stewart Lee as the smartest of the bunch, Timmy the dog.
Paddington Bear: Gerry Adams makes sense for this one.
