For the holiday season, a brief scene of childhood memory from Cuban-American author Carlos Eire's beautiful memoir, LEARNING TO DIE IN MIAMI, which it was my pleasure to narrate in 2010. Having endured the transition from his home in Cuba to foster care in Miami as part of the Operation Peter Pan airlift in the early 1960s, young Carlos and his brother are then sent to live with their aunt and uncle in  Bloomington, Illinois — where Carlos finally gets to experience the snow he's dreamed of his whole life. (Audio copyright 2010 Tantor Media, Inc.)

from LEARNING TO DIE IN MIAMI by Carlos Eire (Clip #2 - a Xmas memory)

Promo for my contribution to the 2014 spoken word collection, "Summer Shorts '14" - master storyteller Clark Ashton Smith's macabre fantasy tale, "The Garden of Adompha".

Robert Fass - Summer Shorts '14 Promo

Originally published in 1968 to critical acclaim, Russell H. Greenan’s brilliant, audacious mystery novel It Happened in Boston? quickly became an underground sensation and has emerged over forty years later as a genuine cult classic. In this breathtakingly imaginative book—now appearing in audio for the first time—we enter the mind of an unnamed artist of prodigious talent and intelligence who is determined to correct the world’s wrongs via a direct confrontation with the Almighty, no matter what the consequences. A spellbinding tale told by a memorably unreliable narrator, It Happened in Boston? places you inside a vivid world that brilliantly and surprisingly interweaves art, genius, love, madness, betrayal, God … and murder.

In 2003 IHIB? was reprinted by the Modern Library with a new introduction by celebrated writer Jonathan Lethem and an afterword by the author, both included in this audio version.

from It Happened in Boston? by Russell H. Greenan

From COURTING MR. LINCOLN by Louis Bayard
Narrated by Robert Fass and Tavia Gilbert
Published by HighBridge Audio, 2019

Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard - Historical Fiction

"A superior love story between two senior citizens." — Publishers Weekly (starred review).
From the audiobook of poet Paul Zimmer's quirky romantic thriller, co-narrated with Xe Sands. Cyril is an oddball in his 80s, a lifelong resident of the driftless hills of Wisconsin who has never known love until two things happen: he is nearly killed by a maniac who abducts him from a gas station; and he meets Louise, an elderly widow who moves into the nursing home and steals his heart.

The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove

THE MYSTERIES OF SOLDIERS GROVE by Paul Zimmer (Blackstone Publishing)

A beautiful childhood memoir from Carlos Eire, author of the National Book Award winner, WAITING FOR SNOW IN HAVANA. Copyright Tantor Media.

AUDIOFILE MAGAZINE REVIEW: "Gifted narrator Robert Fass exploits all the ironic humor and sadness of two young Cuban brothers who are adjusting to their new country, new language, and new school—without their parents. In an airlift few remember, Carlos and Tony arrived in Miami as refugees from the increasingly oppressive Castro government of the early 1960s. The younger brother records his painful memories of racial bullying, mayonnaise sandwiches, and huge rats. As they become bilingual, the boys’ raw thoughts in their native language act as hilarious dramatic asides. Fass’s sandy, taciturn voice makes addictive a story that everyone who was once a child will appreciate. He has total control of the three languages spoken: English (mostly), Mexican Spanish, and Cuban Spanish. He even sings 'O Tannenbaum' in Austrian German."

<a href=http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_3_4?asin=B0048206W8&qid=1368715616&sr=3-4>Find LEARNING TO DIE IN MIAMI on Audible.com</a>

LEARNING TO DIE IN MIAMI by Carlos Eire

An excerpt from the critical smash hit (and Oprah book for May 2011) by Francisco Goldman. One of the best-written novels I have ever read, let alone had the honor to record. Copyright Tantor Media.

Earphones Award winner; named one of AudioFile's 10 BEST AUDIOBOOKS OF 2011.

From AUDIOFILE magazine: "SAY HER NAME is a beautifully written and beautifully narrated autobiographical novel of love, tragedy, and grief. Francisco Goldman met Aura Estrada when he was 47 and she was 25. He was a successful novelist, and she was a PhD student and emerging writer. Only two years into their marriage, Aura was killed in a freak bodysurfing accident on a Mexican beach. Narrator Robert Fass has an appealing soft tone to his voice, impeccable timing, and an enviable ease switching between English and Mexican Spanish. Even more important is his sensitive rendering of Goldman’s emotions—from infinite gratitude and awe at meeting and loving Aura to shocking, soul-crushing guilt and loss following her death. It’s a stunning production that allows Aura to live on."

From LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Robert Fass's narration is never melodramatic; instead he maintains an even keel throughout -- even during the book's most heart-wrenching moments. Fass captures the book's spirit with its gentle mourning for a lost paradise of marital bliss."

From BOOKLIST ONLINE: "Fass’ reading shows understanding and respect for the grieving author. He captures the guilt, grief, and deep loss in a realistic, unsentimental narration. Fass’ fluent Spanish pronunciations are an asset, as some conversations and writings are in Spanish. Fass depicts Aura with humor and verve, capturing her joy of life and love for her husband and others. He is especially adept at reading playful, humorous byplay between the two main characters. By the time details of Aura’s death are revealed, we have come to love and care about her. Fass’ skillful voicing of her many moods and aspirations adds to our feelings."

<a href=http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_3_1?asin=B004YE3FL4&qid=1368714792&sr=3-1>Find SAY HER NAME on Audible.com</a>

SAY HER NAME

Some cool contemporary science fiction with a healthy dose of social commentary from author Thomas Mullen.
Copyright Hachette Audio.

In this scene, a lawyer in DC - grieving for her brother, who died in Iraq - has just discovered that her new lover is not what he seems; she calls the disgraced former spy who has blackmailed her into cooperating in an investigation.

<a href=http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_2_11?asin=B005POJ62Y&qid=1368714987&sr=2-11>Find THE REVISIONISTS on Audible.com</a>

THE REVISIONISTS

It's been my delight to narrate the wonderfully atmospheric period mysteries set in fin-de-siecle Vienna by British author Frank Tallis collectively known as "The Liebermann Papers." VIENNA SECRETS is the 4th in the series (there are currently six volumes plus a short story available), in which the protagonists, young psychologist Max Liebermann and his portly friend, Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt, investigate a series of brutal murders.
Copyright AudioGO.
<a href=http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_3_16?asin=B00669IZPG&qid=1368714792&sr=3-16>Find VIENNA SECRETS on Audible.com</a>

VIENNA SECRETS by Frank Tallis

Mark Twain's satirical gem, joined in progress. Performed on a Kansas City sidewalk as part of the 1st annual Hear Now Festival, June 18, 2013. Recorded on an iPhone... 

How I Edited An Agricultural Paper by Mark Twain (live excerpt from Hear Now Festival)

Audie- and Earphones-Award-winning audiobook narrator based in New York City.