Last Updated on by Nishil Prasad
An American actor, Jefferson Mays has been in the audiobook industry for a long while now, delivering a streak of brilliant performances spread across genres. His expressive voice has brought to life a wide range of characters and stories, from the space voyagers of James SA Corey’s Expanse series to the complex protagonists of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea novels.
In today’s article, we’ll be looking at some of his best performances over the years. Not only have we selected his best narrations, but we’ve also compiled some unique and eclectic titles spread across genres and eras. Let’s begin then. Bon voyage!
10 Best Jefferson Mays Audiobooks
1. The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Idiot is a complex and multilayered tale that explores the human psyche, morality, and the intricate social fabric of 19th-century Russian society. Dostoevsky’s portrayal of Prince Myshkin, the titular “idiot,” is fascinating. We follow his return to Russia after spending several years in a Swiss sanatorium, and his struggle to navigate the treacherous waters of high society while maintaining his innate goodness and purity.
Mays’ narration lends the necessary gravity to the philosophical discussions that are a hallmark of Dostoevsky’s works, making them accessible and engaging to Listen to. His pronunciation of Russian names is smooth and perfect, ensuring a great listening experience. If classical stories like this fascinate you, you must make sure to check out this compilation of the best classic audiobooks.
2. Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
Jim Holden, the XO of an ice miner, and his crew, unwittingly stumble upon a derelict ship. As they become unwilling guardians of this secret, they find themselves embroiled in a deadly conspiracy that threatens to engulf the entire solar system in war. Simultaneously, you are introduced to Detective Miller, on a quest to find a missing girl.
As he follows the trail leading to the Scopuli and crosses paths with Holden, he realizes that this seemingly insignificant girl is the key to unlocking the puzzle of the solar system-wide conspiracy. Now Holden and Miller must navigate a treacherous landscape, confronting Earth’s government, the Outer Planet revolutionaries, and powerful secretive corporations. Mays precisely captures the essence of each character here through his narration.
3. Garden of Beasts: A Novel of Berlin 1936 by Jeffery Deaver
Paul Schumann, a skilled hitman with a German American background living in New York City, is renowned for accepting only “righteous” contracts. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he’s captured and given a stark ultimatum: covert government service or a lifetime behind bars. Disguised as a journalist during the Berlin Olympics, he embarks on a perilous mission—to eliminate Reinhard Ernst, the mastermind behind Hitler’s secret rearmament. There’s something unique and immersive about reading historical stories that took place decades in the past, which is why this collection of the best history audiobooks must not be missed by you.
Succeeding means pardon and a fresh start, while failure ensures Sing Sing and the electric chair. The suspense builds with Deaver’s signature twists, keeping you on tenterhooks. From Olympic athletes to senior Nazi officials, each character comes to life through Mays’ impeccable narration.
4. The Art of X-Ray Reading: How the Secrets of 25 Great Works of Literature Will Improve Your Writing by Roy Peter Clark
Clark invites listeners to don their X-ray reading glasses and embark on a tour through literary classics. As each masterpiece is dissected, Clark reveals the artistry of renowned authors, shedding light on the intricate strategies they employ to create engrossing narratives. By examining the underlying structures, symbolism, and character development, he presents valuable insights that can be applied to any writer’s work.
Aspiring writers will find themselves empowered with new tools to enrich their storytelling so they can elevate their craft to new heights. Roy Peter Clark’s lessons, aptly conveyed by Jefferson Mays, open up a world of possibilities for writers to improve their storytelling prowess and connect with the timeless wisdom found within the pages of classic literature.
5. The Found and the Lost: The Collected Novellas of Ursula K. Le Guin by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Found and the Lost presents a compendium of unforgettable novellas that span Le Guin’s illustrious career. From the fascinating realms of Earthsea to the stimulating quests of futuristic societies, each story is stitched using her signature lyrical prose and philosophical profundity. You can see how Guin explores complex themes of identity, society, and humanity through this collection, and why her stories continue to persevere and resonate even after all these years.
Her novellas challenge the imagination and evoke introspection, leaving a lasting impression on you long after the final words have been spoken. Alyssa Bresnahan and Jefferson Mays’ narration forms a harmonious symphony, seamlessly guiding you through Le Guin’s rich worlds. For more fantastical explorations through the unknown, you should try this selection of the best fantasy audiobooks.
6. If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino
This intricately crafted audiobook takes you on a journey through a labyrinth of literary worlds, blurring the lines between reader and writer, reality and fiction. Calvino’s imagination knows no bounds as he weaves a tale of endless mutations, presenting not one but ten novels, each with its unique plot, style, and atmosphere.
The audiobook is ingeniously structured as two readers, a male and a female, explore the labyrinth of literature. Their pursuit of the storylines that captivate them is not only a journey into the heart of storytelling but also an investigation of their connection with each other. Mays’ portrayal of these characters adds profoundness to their emotional journey, making it an immersive experience.
7. Crooked River by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The story begins with a startling crime, as dozens of identical shoes wash up on the shores of Sanibel Island, each containing a crudely severed human foot. This ghastly enigma baffles everyone involved, drawing Agent Pendergast into an investigation that quickly becomes his most challenging yet. For more such suspenseful stories, dial into this list of the best mystery audiobooks of all time and you shall find some exquisite adventures!
As the investigation unfolds, the authors expertly weave a complex web of evidence that spans across oceans and continents, leading to one of the most baffling mysteries in modern medical science. Mays’ narration perfectly complements the authors’ storytelling, building tension with every word spoken.
8. Dragonfly by Leila Meacham
Set against the backdrop of WWII, five young idealistic Americans with distinct backgrounds come together as a secret group code-named “Dragonfly” when they answer a mysterious call of duty from the OSS. Each member harbors their secret reason for joining the covert mission, creating a complex net of catalysts and hidden agendas that takes the story forward.
Over time, the lines between friends and foe blur, keeping you hanging through this dangerous world of espionage during WWII, where trust and deception dance hand in hand. Leila Meacham’s splendid writing captures the era’s atmosphere and intricacies of espionage, while the talented cast of narrators brings her characters to life masterfully.
9. Cross Justice by James Patterson
This audiobook takes you on an exhilarating journey as Alex Cross faces his toughest case yet, hitting closer to home than ever before. When his cousin is accused of a heinous crime, Alex Cross returns to his North Carolina hometown for the first time in decades. As he sets out to prove his cousin’s innocence, Cross would soon find himself wrapped in a network of corruption and deception, where trust is a rare commodity.
Amidst his pursuit of justice for his cousin, Cross stumbles upon a long-buried family secret that shakes the foundation of everything he thought he knew. Patterson’s storytelling gives way to a thrilling tale of personal discovery and redemption, bringing you along into the emotional turmoil of the beloved detective. Don’t stop at just this story, explore the best of Patterson through this list of the best James Patterson audiobooks.
10. Caliban’s War by James S. A. Corey
The second installment of the Expanse saga takes you to Ganymede, the outer planets’ breadbasket. A Martian marine witnesses her platoon’s brutal slaughter by a terrifying supersoldier while on Earth, a high-level politician seeks to prevent interplanetary warfare. Meanwhile, on Venus, an alien protomolecule causes massive, mysterious changes that endanger the solar system.
James Holden and the Rocinante crew are tasked with maintaining peace for the Outer Planets Alliance. They find themselves drawn into a hazardous mission when they agree to help a scientist find a missing child amidst Ganymede’s war-torn chaos. And now, humanity’s future is at stake as they confront the possibility of an alien invasion already underway.
