The Modern Shaman

Paul Bright’s narration is the audiobook’s secret weapon—his delivery strikes a rare balance between scholarly weight and conversational flow, making complex ideas feel urgent rather than academic. He doesn’t over-enunciate, but his pacing ensures every reference to Marina Abramović’s endurance pieces or Joseph Beuys’ felt suits lands with impact, never muddled. That said, the audiobook’s biggest strength—its brevity—is also its Achilles’ heel. Thirty minutes is enough to pique your curiosity, but it’s barely a tease for such a provocative thesis. Lucie-Smith’s argument is compelling, but when he glosses over centuries of art history in a single sentence, you’re left wanting more substance, not less. The production is clean, with no distracting music or sound design, which works in its favor for listeners who prefer raw ideas over gimmicks. My only real critique? The lack of footnotes or a supplementary PDF means some of the deeper historical claims feel unchecked—ideal for a casual listen, but frustrating if you’re looking to fact-check as you go. Still, for anyone who’s ever rolled their eyes at the cult of the ‘new’ in contemporary art, this is a bracing antidote.