The Little Mermaid - Audio Book Review

Audio Book Review

Rating: 3.6

The Little Mermaid

By

Hans Christian Andersen,

Dina Gregory

Narrated by

Leigh-Anne Pinnock

Release date

23-03-23

Language

English

Format

Unabridged Audiobook

Length

43 mins

Audio Sample - Listen Now

Audio Book Review Technical Scores

What?	Details	Score	My thoughts
Vocal Quality & Tone	• Clarity and pleasantness • Consistent tone throughout • Voice suits genre/characters	4	Beautifully produced by a superbe team
Characterisation & Performance	• Distinct voices • Genuine emotion • Avoids exaggeration or stereotype	4	Lovely, but I am not sure who this is aimed at. Not the young audience of 3-12 year olds. This is a very adult retelling. The music and song is mesmerising, and the sea sound effects draw you under the waves.
Pacing, Rhythm & Flow	• Natural pacing • Smooth phrasing • Effective pauses	4	Lots of music, draws you into the underwater world
Technical Production Quality	• Clean audio • Stable volume • Professional editing	5	Excellent
Engagement & Listener Experience	• Holds attention • Enhances story • Re-listen appeal	3	This does not know what it is. It is not a retelling of the Grimm original. It is not a children's tale. But yes difficult to stop listening.

Audio Book Review

This Little Mermaid is a gorgeous, hypnotic production—an immersive blend of lush soundscapes, mesmerising vocals, and ambient sea-spray effects that practically pull you under the waves. Narrated by Leigh-Anne Pinnock, the performance is rich and evocative, her voice effortlessly capturing the mystery and melancholy of the deep. The use of Spatial Audio adds an extra layer of immersion, wrapping listeners in a dreamlike underwater world.

Technically, this audiobook is near flawless. The production is beautifully polished, with clean audio, stable volume, and professional editing throughout. Pacing is smooth and well-judged, with gentle phrasing and effective pauses that enhance the meditative quality of the storytelling. The music is a standout—haunting and lyrical, it elevates the experience into something bordering on the cinematic.

However, while the performance and production are undeniably impressive, the story seems uncertain of its audience. This is not a faithful retelling of Andersen’s original, nor is it suitable for a young audience (despite the familiar title). Its tone is more adult, almost art-house, leaving the narrative adrift between fairy tale and abstract mood piece.

Still, despite its identity crisis, it’s strangely compelling—hard to switch off and lingering long after it ends. An atmospheric reimagining, if not a conventional one. Audio Book Review Nov 2025