I am excited to share a short interview with Camilia O’Grady, the narrator of the audio version of Wildoak. It was inspiring and humbling for me to hear her bring the story to life with such care and tenderness. I honestly cried the first time I heard her read Chapter 1. She gives a beautiful performance and brings her own unique perspective to the book. It was strange in a way, hearing the words turn into sounds that until now, had only ever existed inside my imagination. Strange and absolutely brilliant.
How did you find your way into reading audiobooks? Is it something you’ve always wanted to do?
I've been a professional actor for the last five years and particularly since lockdown I've been doing more and more voiceover work. I am passionate about telling stories and creating worlds for people to get lost in, which is why I became an actor in the first place and as a result I have always wanted to read audiobooks. Growing up with dyslexia, audiobooks have always been a pleasurable pastime.
It sounds like a dream job, to me at least… reading stories for a living! But as with any kind of job, there must be pros and cons. Can you share some of the things you love about it and some of the things that are more challenging than one might think?
It absolutely is a dream job! There is nothing I love more than breathing life into characters and exploring how their voices sound. It is so creatively fulfilling. However for this audiobook I felt a lot of responsibility to get it right and do the work justice. I am a bit of a perfectionist, often it takes time for me to be happy with my oratory work, I am my own worst critic.
There are three main threads that run through the heart of Wildoak – a child who struggles to speak to humans but not to animals, an abandoned snow leopard and an ancient forest. Can you share a little about what drew you to the story as a whole?
Having grown up with my own stutter, it was such a privilege to be able to tell a story that helps everyone's voices feel heard. The core message of love and acceptance at the heart of Wildoak is one that we all need to hear.
The main human character in the book is a 12 year-old girl called Maggie who loves animals and also has a strong stutter. Can you share a little of what it was like for you as a child who stuttered and how you manage it now?
Over time my stutter has changed and I have been able to find my own confidence. What helped me most was accepting my voice as it is, and remembering that it is what you say that carries meaning and value not how you say it.
Although Wildoak is a work of fiction, it is true that Harrods used to sell lions, leopards and cheetahs (among many other animals) as ‘pets’. Was there anything in particular that you kept in mind while reading the Rumpus chapters, or reading from the perspective of a snow leopard cub?
It was lovely breathing life into Rumpus. I feel he is the heart of Wildoak and he is what allows Maggie to feel loved and accepted. He has a beautiful sense of curiosity and warmth that cubs like him often have despite him feeling a bit out of place. I kept this in mind when reading his chapters.
Credit: Samuel Black
Thank you so much for answering all my questions, Camilia. And thank you for doing such a beautiful job with your read of the story.
Thank you so much again, it’s been such a pleasure recording Wildoak for you.
Click here to listen to a sample of Camila reading Wildoak on Audible.com