A Chat with Joe Abercrombie & Steven Pacey

I had the opportunity to host a live show with the UK's king of fantasy Joe Abercrombie and the narrator of his First Law books, Steven Pacey! This live show was for publication of THE WISDOM OF CROWDS, the last book in The Age of Madness trilogy.
The Wisdom of Crowds: amzn.to/2Y7cgGG
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[@CapturedInWords]

It was so fun speaking with Joe & Steven! This interview is from the live show I hosted on Sept 20th. What's your favorite book by Joe Abercrombie?

[@nuanceblacksywin4868]

Why did you have to cut the reading?

[@8OBO8]

My favourite is either The Heroes or Last Argument of Kings, though I havent finished TTWP yet and read WoC

[@onurozmen976]

Best Served Cold

[@CapturedInWords]

@@nuanceblacksywin4868 The publisher asked me to cut it, I'm not sure why but maybe just so it was exclusive to those who joined the show while it was live or maybe because of rights issues

[@Danny_Matson]

The Heroes!

[@lukasbohnenkamper4954]

Say one thing about Abercrombie and Pacey, say that they are a great duo.

[@shalashaska615]

I dunno…you gotta be realistic about these things.

[@acousticwolf5985]

When you have got an audiobook to listen, its better to listen to it, than to live with the fear of it.

[@taerg2968]

As my father always used to say, you can never have too many Abercrombie/Pacey audiobooks

[@ybra]

Steven is so humble, but really he is the single best audiobook narrator I have heard to this day.

[@ElectricLadyland87]

Same. I drive a lot for work and have listened to hundreds of audio books. Some incredible narrators, some that bore me to no end. But I always come back to The First Law sooner or later for another experience, and it's like slipping in to a warm bath. He brings the world and the characters to life in such an immaculate way that you cannot help but be mesmerized. He really is the best of the best and the high water mark for theatrical narration.

[@diggerdan11]

I agree. And it’s not even close

[@BadNews885]

"Jab Jab, aye, Collem?"

[@Cecilie_47]

He absolutely is! He should play the character Glokta when a movie is made 😍

[@elchiponr1]

Check out cormac mccarthy audiobook of the road or no country for old men. That guy that reads them is masterful

[@chd8318]

Joe Abercrombie’s writing and Steven Pacey’s narration has absolutely spoiled me. I’m NEVER satisfied with other narrators or writers. Why? Joe’s clever writing and wicked sense of humor and Steven’s brilliant interpretations. They are both amazing!

[@tyrandorp]

This is actually a problem, i have a hard time picking new audiobooks now :(

[@mont6760]

They are just the best combination of author and actor ever.

[@bradleyouambo1371]

Such a true problem

[@TomOostenrijk]

I get you. the books in the First Law universe are bar none the best narrated books ever. Out of the many I've listened to, anyway. I could recommend the Powder Mage books by Brian McClellan, read by Christian Rodska, though. As well as Gentleman Bastards sequence by Scott Lynch, and The Kingkiller chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. Though I can't remember off hand who narrate the last two, they do a good job. But I always imagine anyone who liked good audiobooks have gone through those already

[@noteuser15]

I agree. They’re defiantly a rare combo! I find that two pairs that come close are the Witcher audiobooks, which have almost as good narration but slightly inferior writing but still good writing, And Brandon Sandersons Mistborn and Stormlight archive which have amazing writing, but slightly inferior narration, but still really good narration. But yeah a combination that does both as amazingly as first law is basically nonexistent.

[@bjnwright]

I tell you what - these guys are the f*cken 'A' team. Joe Abercrombie and Steven Pacey, what an absolutely sensational pairing. It just doesn't get any better. The Age of Madness trilogy is some of the best fantasy fiction ever produced.

[@crissydv1]

I went from thinking “Okay, I’ve read The Blade Itself, and it’s good…but I don’t *get* it.” Listening to the audiobooks now and I’m like “OH. I GET IT NOW.” Phenomenal work by Pacey and I notice so many snippets of amazing writing I didn’t when I read it.

[@SyprasKill]

True story, My wife actually sat me down to have an intervention about the amount of time I am listening to these audiobooks. Two masters working together to create a masterpiece.

[@randyguinn7457]

Hearing Steven Pacey narrate these books was the first time I've ever viewed narration as Art. He is amazing.

[@aaronjudkins8314]

I love how Steven really brings out the humor that’s on the page. So often I find myself laughing at the way he delivers a characters inner monologue. And each character has a different rhythm, just like on the page. Truly an amazing combo.

[@beansandtoastplusbutter4168]

If they ever do a visual adaptation of the First Law series, Steven needs to have a cameo.

[@YahbiiCot]

It would be cool. Just like Roy Dotrice (narrator of ASOIAF) was in season 2 of GoT.

[@FirstOfTheMagi]

Let him play Sult

[@ElectricLadyland87]

I would be fine if it was a one man play with Stephen Pacey plating every character lmao.

[@trumanb4758]

And it needs to be Glokta! They can de-age Steven with CGI. :)

[@Severian1]

Oh man, I've had Pacey's voice in my ear for all of First Law and it's incredible seeing him out of character(s). His voice is pretty much how I think God's voice would sound like. Fantastic narrator.

[@ludwigvan2932]

My tradition for every Abercrombie release is to read it first and then listen to the book afterwards on audiobook. This creates an event feel for me like I'm experiencing a movie of my favourite book full of surprises given the performances despite the fact that I've just experienced the book. It's Paceys performances (plus Joe's excellent writing of course) that make this possible. What makes Steven Pacey the best for me is that you aren't just getting a good clear voice reading you're getting an incredible actor capable of rich performances.

[@gustavoferroni2693]

I do the same !

[@rodent308]

a late chime in but i read through all of them a year or so ago and now im rereading them via audiobook and this is exactly how i feel. pacey’s narration is perfect and abercrombie’s writing is very cinematic

[@TheDribbley]

Steven Pacey's narration is 2rd to none. Hiw he does so many voices and makes them all unique is beyond me

[@jasondrew6157]

Holy shit he basically does all those voices in one take while reading? I was certain that there was a lot of editing involved.

[@CapturedInWords]

I was amazed by that as well!!! Just making KZbin videos I often trip up and need to do multiple takes with my voice lines. His skill is pretty incredible, as I'm sure many other narrators need to revise and edit a lot

[@TheButterflyChaos]

I had no doubt that I would continue reading Abercrombie. Because of course I will, I love the First Law trilogy. Want to get into Age of Madness soon as well as the Shattered sea series. But hearing Steven talking, I feel like I need to find audiobooks narrated by him. He Sounds amazing, and I have the highest respect for artists like him. What a legend. Great interview!

[@t20sgrunt36]

What a great opportunity to interview these gentlemen. Their working together is a match made in heaven

[@koryferencz7391]

What a great interview! Such a huge Steven Pacey fan and I was so glad to finally get to see/hear the man behind the best audio books I have ever had the privilege of listening to. This is one of those unbelievable combinations of talent that is hard to compare to any other art that is such a perfect marriage of writing and performance powerhouses. I am so jealous that you got to be a part of this conversation, congrats Jay, happy for you!

[@annas1197]

I totally agree! I was also so impressed Steven basically reads it straight through without a ton of editing. I always thought there were many points of splicing together audio parts. The fact he can switch voices so often is amazing!

[@koryferencz7391]

@@annas1197 In my mind I honestly thought that they would spend hours on end doing just the lines for specific characters and then it was all done in the editing booth to make the lines show up at the right point in the audio book. The fact that he can switch between those voices as he just reads through the book from to back is mind blowing. So impressive.

[@dunshelmplayers]

Watch seasons 3 and 4 of Blake's 7, you'll see him as a young man with curly hair.

[@Ulalamulala]

I watched this live on Zoom, was pretty epic when Pacey did the reading.

[@randomname4726]

So cool hearing from Steven. I just finished my second listen of all the audiobooks and still can't believe how good he is.

[@kurtjensen5798]

Abercrombie and Steven Pacey are my favorite author + voice actor. Such a perfect combination.

[@darkportents9835]

this is exactly what I needed after finishing WoC this morning before switching gears and delving into some military fantasy. Thanks brother! you're making my day here

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Military fantasy? What books would fall in this genre?

[@darkportents9835]

@@AdoreYouInAshXI Malazan, Black Company, Shadow Campaigns by Django Wexler, Powder Mage. Surely many others but I'm pretty new to the subgenre. Malazan got me hooked. Also worth mentioning Bernard Cornwell. Not fantasy but good military fiction and both his big series are excellent TV shows.

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

@@darkportents9835 Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out. I just couldn't do Malazan personally. Gardens of the Moon was a mess for me. People say it gets better, but it wasn't for me. I'll definitely check the others out though.

[@GrayGeist]

@@AdoreYouInAshXI same here, couldn’t do it at all. And I’m a hard core fantasy and military fan. I got 3 books in and still couldn’t do it, so don’t feel too bad.

[@elof6375]

Just finished my second listen through of all nine books. I love the books, but Pacey's narration lifts them even higher. Every character is brought to life in my mind, and the story flows through me with his wonderful voice. I've listened to a lot of audiobooks and for me Pacey is the complete master of his craft. Also I loved him in Blake's 7!

[@safinan8008]

Wow!! What a great video!! With an amazing author on ur channel! 🍁😊📖🍂

[@CapturedInWords]

Thank you! It was so fun talking with both of them 😄

[@sergiovzv]

As amazing as this interview was, your editing manages to make it even better. Thank you so much for sharing this Jay!

[@crisnice1]

Jay dropping S tier videos left and right. hope this video is the one taking you to 46m

[@grailchaser]

Was there ever a live reading recorded? I'd love to see Pacey inhabit those characters.

[@AmanGupta-zr6rd]

A great Combo. The graphics in the beginning are a complete blast. Loved it.

[@TheRightflip]

I legit read books just because steven pacey narrated, thats just how much of a delight it is listening to him

[@fenellaphant7514]

So true, I just look for books narrated by him and he never fails to bring characters to life. I even had a dream about him half way through Department Q!!!!

[@ElectricLadyland87]

Same

[@paulafox9482]

I had a smile on my face from start to finish of this video. Loved it 👌

[@fredrikforsberg8819]

Steven Pacey has ruined my audiobook experience forever. because none will never beat him. And Joes dark mind and awesome story-telling is brilliant

[@themanmrbijok7364]

Jonathan Keeble has a similar resonance that Pacey has. I recommend him.

[@NickolaiFury]

It's amazing what brilliant artists both Joe and Steven are...Masterful feels like too light of a word. Steven Pacey brings Joe Abercrombie's characters to life in a way that few audiobooks can match. Each book is such a treat! Thank you both for endless hours of enjoyment. I'm constantly recommending them to friends and family.

[@micah7492]

Wow! Thanks so much for interviewing stephen pacey! All time favorite narrator, he is such a talent.

[@he_is_a_GOOBER_dont_disrespect]

I wish wish wish Joe's epics were adapted for television but seriously and high budget. His characters and story lines twists and humour if done as it comes across in the books would be a total genre defining project

[@avyitis3425]

The higher the budget, the worse the final result, if you look back at adaptations. LotR and the first Star Wars trilogy both struggled from a financial perspective because of which they had to be quite inventive and put actual effort into it. GoT was great until they rushed it and put all their money into the CGI production etc because they just had the money. The Witcher is now being ruined as well... The budget needs to be decent, but only decent enough and the author needs to be firmly integrated in the production to ensure that it gets done and delivered the right way.

[@teevihaus14]

I would've love to see him do the voices, even for just a minute

[@ctrlaultdel6608]

I just started with the First Law Trilogy on audiobook and I’m loving it. Can’t wait to binge listen to it at work this next week.

[@jakegoldman5804]

how is it even possible that steven paceys real speaking voice doesn't remind me of ANY of the first law characters. This guy is a genius

[@noname3609]

I loved this so much ! Joe is up there with Sanderson.Never tried the audiobook though but Steven Pacey looks like a cool guy :D

[@curtisbrown2281]

Joe explaining his method of just dropping the reader in the midst of the story is inspiring and eye opening. I think that is why his writing flows so well and seems so fast paced

[@Earth2Stephen]

Thank you for posting this! So, as y’all probably know Roy Dotrice, who did an outstanding job narrating the Game of Thrones books, has sadly passed. I’m more and more convinced that Steven Pacey would be one of the best choices to narrate the next Game of Thrones books (if they every come out). There’s a lot of subtlety in Abercrombie’s writing and Pacey not only picks up on it, but performs it very well in his voice acting. I found that Andy Serkis had good voices for Tolkien’s books, but the subtlety and subtext were not brought out well by him. Who do y’all think would be good to narrate Winds of Winter, etc? My pick would be Pacey.

[@PhilipBowenMusic]

Steven Pacey is one of my top narrators all time. He's so good! This is such a wonderful series!

[@fransuh2853]

You should've showed them some of your notw dancing moves... For real tho, what an interview. I liked the way you handled it, and how it turned out. Congrats dude!✨

[@nevilovermann797]

This was a really great interview. Hats off to you, Jay!

[@chrisprosser5055]

This is making me nostalgic for the first law. Might be time for anither listen soon.

[@sonivex]

Abercrombie and Pacey go together better than peanut butter and jelly

[@oOOShaunOOo]

Wow what a brilliant duo these two make. I can't decide on the biggest star! I've just finished listening to Red Country and the last chapter grounded me with the voice Steven Pacey puts to two old veterans. Just brilliant!

[@tonkabeanicecream5698]

I hope to one day see Joe Abercrombie play Glokta in a live action adaptation.

[@darktower74]

Like David Attenborough, there are almost no other voices I would rather be greeted with than Mr. Pacey's. I recently listened to Neil DeGrasse Tyson narrating some of Carl Sagan's work, and I shudder at the memory. As clever as someone may be, elocution, range, familiarity with accents, having mastery over switching between characters, having the constitution to be so prolific, and having the gift, the knack for bringing a listener in so far as he does.... Pacey has them all beat. Imagine G.Martin narrated his novels.... gak! Then imagine Charles Dance narrated them. What a world of difference. Mr. Pacey has endowed an already legendary set of literature with an equally great accolade of being the best narrated and acted characters I've ever heard. Hats off to both Abercrombie and Pacey.

[@zethpadrigao7468]

I definitely agree that Bremer dan Gorst is the best swordsman in this whole series. One of my favorite character. The First Law audiobook is the first ever audiobook I listened to and it started with the highest standard. I love Joe and Steven soooo much! Thank you for your talents. Just the best.

[@bobyatron7525]

Jesus, the thought that Pacey doesn't go back and do re-takes while he's recording is baffling. To be able to nail a performance like that more or less on the spot must take monumental talent.

[@matguerra333]

Great interview dude. You nailed the essence of 2 amazing artists and didn't sound like a hack idiot. Or a repetitive fan boy.

[@oxman1588]

Thank you for doing this, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@tonkabeanicecream5698]

I can never read the books again because of the narration by Steven, I own all of joe Abercrombie's books and will continue to buy them in person too but the audio by Steven is unbeatable.

[@sansmojo]

Sorry, y'all. I was chain vaping off screen and didn't know that it would be caught on video.

[@TwelfthMonkey]

Steven's Black Dow is spot on. Hilarious

[@DetectiveToasty]

The “I’m quiet good at that” joke while Joe talks about failure made me loose it.

[@DingDong-fq2mo]

Great questions! A very enjoyable watch. Thanks

[@sabicsepregi6521]

Steven is simply excellent!

[@joemade7071]

If anyone else would ever try to narrate a Joe A book that isn’t Steven pacey… body found floating by the docks.

[@randomname4726]

Now I really want to see a video of Steven reading first law.

[@billyalarie929]

Great interview, man. Well done!

[@kasperdalkarl]

Thanks for doing this!

[@alcoholic2652]

Steven did amazing with the Tomb of Sargeras audiodrama for WoW.

[@KowakianMonkey-Lizard]

I would love for Joe to go on in this world im sooo invested it could become like a Robin Hobb world, theres something magical about returning to old buddies like Fitz and the fool and would be awesome to revists this world every now and then to see what shenanigans Bayaz is up to now or such xD

[@henok]

joe abercrombie is a genius!!!!!

[@FellaGuy2]

Steven Pacy is the best at what he does.

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

I am so mad you cut out the reading. :(

[@joemade7071]

I don’t wanna look at him cause then I realize all my favorite characters aren’t real 😭

[@trevorwilliams3199]

Thanks for this,terrific stuff …

[@KaberEsplin1]

Thank you

[@andreevvalle3761]

I have not read First law trilogy yet but am eager to read it...Dark tower series comes first

[@HynoDesignsvIII]

Steven Pacey was great as Tarrent, sadly most people never saw these old Blake's 7 shows or even heard of it.

[@SkimmelToe]

Is there anyway to see the part where Steven narrates? I listened to all the audiobooks of the first trilogy and the stand-alones several times but i would love to see him in action.

[@8OBO8]

Poor Jay getting a few of those big moments spoiled, all while having to put on the face that he knows the story hahaha. Unless Jay has read further than it says on his goodreads.

[@CapturedInWords]

Haha I'm much further than what it says on my Goodreads, I haven't really updated on there in a long time! I'm reading the age of madness now, though there's a few of the standalone first law novels I still need to read

[@8OBO8]

@@CapturedInWords ah that's good to hear haha, how are you finding the series on the whole so far?

[@OnixMint]

Do you still have a recording with the live reading?

[@ComandaKronikk]

YOU'VE GOT TO BE REALISTIC!!

[@charliecundiff]

He can record a book in 6 days😮 It takes me months

[@avantgardenovelist]

for pacey not to email JA before embarking on narrating thousands of pages and ask him how to pronounce his characters' names seems disrespectful to me.

[@andrewmotley1681]

STEVEN PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO GAME OF THRONES

[@itszaaaamzeh]

Is there A way to see the reading?

[@Mlowe89]

Must hear reading 😩

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Is the reading from the original interview not in this video? I came back to watch it and couldn't find it

[@CapturedInWords]

No it's not unfortunately, the publisher wanted me to remove it for me to post the interview on my channel

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

@@CapturedInWords ah what a shame but can't do anything about it -- great job with the interview!!

[@Stank_Tank]

Come on now guys, Whirrun had Gorst whooped before he got speared. Or at the very least was giving him a run for his money.

[@precioustraveler]

We need a Glothka prequel trilogy. Such low-hanging fruit.

[@TheJordanK]

That camera quality tho.

[@TomOostenrijk]

Mr . Pacey, you have ruined almost all other audiobooks for me. I must have listened to hundreds of books, dozens of well known narrators, nobody even comes close to you. Joe's books are my comfort listens. I get completely immersed because of your excellent narration of his terrific writing, and it has given me great comfort since 2006. I really hope Mr. Abercrombie bangs his new series out quick, so he can start stamping out more First Law for you to narrate.

[@wraith01mg]

You have to be realistic about these things.

[@tsangj37]

38:39

[@asdasdasd9269]

That first minute made my soul wither a bit with all the akwardness

[@rainunderfire9041]

Lol I didn't think it was awkward? The joke about picturing Steven as Glokta was pretty funny, it was great to see all them smiling and laughing

[@scottymeffz5025]

I know I'm not alone but Steven has ruined audio books for me. I can't listen to anyone else.

[@just_a_character]

Dude, stop talking over people

[@CapturedInWords]

I was just nervous tbh 😅

[@FreyaWarr]

Steven Pacey almost ruined all other audiobooks for me. He really brings the story to life. Love Joe Abercrombie so much and Steven is just the perfect cherry on top!

[@W1gglePuppy]

11 months late but try tales of dunk and egg narrated by Harry Lloyd, only audio book narration I rate above Pacey. Good listen if your a GoT fan, maybe a tad simple but enjoyable.

[@PhoenixFireZero]

@@W1gglePuppy Peter Kenny does the Witcher series proper

[@W1gglePuppy]

@PhoenixFireZero there good, but Lloyd turns dunk and egg into a story your dad's reads to you before bed almost. I do love Kennys nevilen in the first witcher tho.

[@matguerra333]

Absolutely...Then when you realize he is basically doing it in one take...I don't get this level of mastery. But these 2 together are the future of audiobooks. (No offense to Michael Page but I accidentally but the M. Page narrated audiobooks) I couldn't get through a page.

[@jarlbalgruuf8375]

Agreed, the only comparable narrator is Peter Kenny from the Witcher

[@trevorwilliams3199]

Thanks for this,terrific stuff …

[@willforlife_]

Steven is a pretty cool dude nice to discover him today

[@Shizzmonger]

Love this. Wish I could have seen Steven narrating. Can't find footage of him narrating First Law anywhere

[@meangreen2580]

Steven, you are the best voice actor ever! So good

[@maraltbrown]

Great interview, Jay! I want to read more Abercrombie now! I loved The First Law and will possibly listen to it this time, Steven Pacey is so charming! Once again, your videos are inspiring! ♡

[@CapturedInWords]

Thank you! Yeah I'd definitely recommend the audio books, for me they really enhance the experience! The books are amazing in their own right, but Steven Pacey just adds a lot of character to it all

[@AlexNitsu]

While reading Wisdom of Crowds I thought it was clearly inspired by French and Russian revolutions. But also I couldn't help thinking how some moments resembled events of Ukrainian Revolution in 2014 (more in spirit of course). Probably because I experienced that one firsthand. The fact that it spoke to me and evoked those memories and emotions is yet another testament to how well it's written.

[@dccole3044]

I’m so bummed that the live reading was cut!!

[@joemade7071]

I always thought that Jim Dale was the best narrator ever… then I heard Steven Pacey. His Glokta alone makes makes him top 3

[@FreyaWarr]

I’m genuinely sad that he’s talking a break from the First Law world but I’m really excited to see what else can come out of that brain of his.