One's Company

David Shaw-Parker’s performance is the reason this audiobook is a cut above the average travel memoir. His voice has the kind of effortless authority that makes Fleming’s writing feel like an intimate confession rather than a dispatch from a bygone era. Shaw-Parker nails the tonal shifts—one moment, he’s delivering a clipped, ironic observation about Soviet bureaucracy, the next, he’s recounting a near-disastrous encounter with Manchurian bandits in a tone that suggests he’s amused by the whole ordeal. The pacing is brisk without feeling rushed, and the production quality is top-notch, with no distracting ambient noise even when the narration dives into vivid descriptions of Siberia’s bleak landscapes. My one critique? Fleming’s privilege occasionally rears its head—his interactions with locals, while entertaining, sometimes read as more performative than empathetic. That said, if you’re here for self-deprecating charm and the kind of travel writing that treats misfortune as a spectator sport, you won’t find a better guide. The audiobook’s blend of history, humor, and high-stakes travel makes it a standout.