A BookViral Audio Book Review:
Some audiobooks simply present a novel in spoken form. Others transform it into an entirely different experience. Arnold Faber’s Candor, The Earth Says Hello falls firmly into the latter category, with GM Hakim delivering a thoughtful, nuanced narration that brings added warmth and accessibility to a story already rich with imagination, philosophy and heart.
Faber’s novel is an ambitious blend of speculative fiction, coming-of-age drama and metaphysical exploration. At its centre is Candor, a gifted but directionless Toronto teenager whose life is irrevocably altered after experiencing increasingly disturbing auditory episodes that culminate in an encounter with the legendary Yogi Berra. What initially appears surreal gradually unfolds into an uplifting meditation on creativity, human connection and the extraordinary power of music to unite people across cultures and generations.
From the opening chapters, Hakim establishes exactly the right tone. His narration is calm, assured and conversational, inviting listeners into Candor’s world without ever overwhelming the material. Rather than relying on exaggerated character voices, Hakim trusts the dialogue and the writing, allowing personalities to emerge naturally through subtle shifts in rhythm, pace and emotional emphasis. The result is a performance that feels authentic throughout.
One of the things that makes this story so engaging is its handling of humour. Yogi Berra’s wonderfully understated observations could easily become gimmicky in less capable hands, yet Hakim delivers them with impeccable timing. The dry wit lands effortlessly, creating moments of genuine amusement while never distracting from the novel’s deeper philosophical themes. His portrayal captures Berra’s gentle wisdom and playful confidence without turning him into a caricature.
Equally impressive is Hakim’s handling of the quieter emotional moments. Candor’s uncertainty, self-doubt and gradual acceptance of his remarkable destiny unfold with convincing restraint. Rather than pushing emotion, Hakim allows listeners to discover it for themselves. This measured approach proves particularly effective during Candor’s growing relationship with Stevie. Their conversations possess a warmth and sincerity that make their developing partnership feel entirely believable, providing an emotional anchor as the novel expands into increasingly ambitious territory.
As Faber broadens the narrative to introduce the nine children born simultaneously around the world—each destined to play a role in humanity’s future through music—the narration becomes even more important. Shifting between multiple countries, cultures and perspectives presents obvious challenges, yet Hakim maintains clarity throughout. Each new voice feels distinctive without becoming theatrical, enabling listeners to follow the expanding cast effortlessly while preserving the novel’s steady momentum.
Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to Hakim’s narration is that it never competes with the author’s ideas. Candor, The Earth Says Hello is fundamentally a novel about listening—listening to one another, to music, to hope, and ultimately to ourselves. Hakim instinctively understands this. His relaxed, confident delivery creates space for Faber’s themes to resonate, allowing the audiobook to become an immersive listening experience rather than simply a narrated text.
Faber’s writing itself deserves considerable praise. Beneath its speculative premise lies an optimistic vision that feels refreshingly different from much of contemporary science fiction. Instead of presenting humanity as irredeemably fractured, he suggests that creativity, compassion and artistic expression remain capable of inspiring meaningful change. Music becomes not merely entertainment but a universal language capable of bridging differences and restoring lost connections. It is an uplifting message delivered with sincerity rather than sentimentality.
Listeners familiar with Matt Haig’s reflective storytelling, Neil Gaiman’s imaginative metaphysics or Paulo Coelho’s spiritual optimism will find much to admire here. Yet Candor, The Earth Says Hello ultimately establishes its own distinctive voice—a hopeful reminder that imagination still has the power to challenge cynicism and that music remains one of humanity’s greatest unifying forces.
GM Hakim’s narration elevates an already engaging novel into a thoroughly immersive audiobook experience. His warm, expressive performance perfectly complements Arnold Faber’s thoughtful storytelling, bringing humour, humanity and quiet emotional depth to every chapter. Together, author and narrator have created an audiobook that entertains, inspires and lingers in the memory long after the final words have been spoken.
It is a unreservedly recommended Golden Quill audio book.
