Atwood adapts first graphic novel with Audible

Margaret Atwood has teamed up with Audible to adapt her first graphic novel, Angel Catbird, into an audio drama.

Described as the author's "most ambitious audio project yet", the work will be Atwood's first original audio script exclusively for Audible and will include a cameo appearance from the writer.  Among the cast of narrators for the project are Kyra Harper, Allegra Fulton, Christo Graham, Julie Le Mieux, David Calderisi, Michael Cash and Andrew Jackson.

Atwood originally wrote the fantasy as an homage to the golden age of comic books and the radio hour thrillers she loved as a child. 

In the audiobook, Strig Feleedus, a young genetic engineer, has his life changed forever when an experiment goes wrong, merging his DNA with that of a pussycat and an owl. What follows is "an action-driven, witty, and pulp-inspired all-species revolution" that, recorded live in ensemble, will be brought to life "in unimaginable ways".

Audible EVP and Publisher Beth Anderson said: "We are delighted that Margaret Atwood continues to create original and entertaining works for Audible. The Handmaid’s Tale: Special Edition, which includes Atwood’s continuation of the story available only on the Audible version, was one of our top-selling titles of 2017. This delightful multicast dramatisation of Angel Catbird is sure to be another fan favourite."

Audible Studios won a Grammy Award for its production of Janis Ian’s memoir Society’s Child, and has also been recognised with the Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year for Colin Firth’s performance of Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair.

In 2017, listeners around the world downloaded over two billion hours of Audible content, it said.