Niles / Alex Foster
My name is Alex Foster, and I was born in Shrewsbury in August 1978, which makes me a 27 30-year-old Leo. I’m just a little under 5’11″ and my BMI is approximately 30 32. Which is bad.
I come from the small market town of Leominster in Herefordshire. I came to university in Nottingham in 1996 and stayed for a BA in French and German and an MA in Film Studies finishing in 2002.
In 2003 I was elected a Lib Dem councillor for the Basford Ward of Nottingham City Council. In 2007 I was elected to represent Leen Valley ward, which stretches from Nottingham’s Crown Island to the Nuthall Road. I lost my seat in 2011.
I have worked in adult education teaching basic IT skills, for two MEPs and for two MPs.
Niles
If you know me via a newsgroup or IRC then you’ll know that my internet pseudonym is Niles, or a variation of that. (Nilex, my sometime IRC nick was a typo that I rather liked the look of, and has nothing to do with either the Star Trek character Nelix or the nuclear company Nirex.) This dates from when I had an anonymous university address and no real urge to use my own name. There are at least half a dozen Alex Fosters out there. The name is taken from the character played by cute’n'dimpled concert pianist David Hyde Pierce who plays Niles in the American sitcom Frasier, and whom I do not in any way resemble.
Pictures
There are a variety of pictures of me on Flickr.
Contact Details
Please see the Contact page.
I discovered the reading you did in 2006 of The Invisible Man where you gave this web address. I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying listening to your reading. I’m from California US and shamefully, most people these days can’t read worth a whit. Thank you for providing me with such delight through the endless nights of an insomniac
I too have very much enjoyed your reading of the Invisible Man. I particularly liked the Mariner and his discussion with Mr Marvel in chapter 13! “There are some EXTRAORDINARY things in books …. and out of them…”
Another thanks, this time from Massachusetts, USA, for your reading of _The Invisible Man_! You did a fantastic job. I lay down the other night to listen to a chapter or two before going to sleep, and I found I couldn’t stop until the book was done. Now I’ve gone back to Librivox to see what other pieces you’ve read. Thanks again!
And yet another thank you for your reading of The Invisible Man, but this time from Austin, Texas. I’m re-living my youth by listening to the classics I read so long ago. My drives to and from work are so much more enjoyable when I know I have the peace and quiet to enjoy a few chapters in solitude. You are to be commended Alex for contributing your time and effort. Somehow it just wouldn’t feel right to me if Wells’ work was read by someone who didn’t have an English accent (but then again I may be biased since my inlaws are English!). Cheers!!
My name is Tatiana and I am from Ukraine. I am studying English now and I have very much enjoyed your reading of the Invisible Man. Thanks again!
This one if for Agatha Christie’s The affair at Styles. Driving in Jerusalem, but feeling very much in-between-wars with Hercule Poirot. You are truly very talented. a shame though, that you did not record any more of Christie! many many thanks
In the middle of Around the World in 80 days. What a great thing to do. Read a classic for others. Many thanks.
Hello,
For the first time in my life, I’ve listened to an audio book from start to finish, and it was your reading of The Invisible Man. I would just thank you for the wonderful recording as it was an absolute listening pleasure. Your voice suited the characters magnificently and helped me drift off to sleep on numerous occasions. I hope to find more of your audio book recordings if there are any around. Thanks again.
-James
I just wanted to add another thanks for The Invisible Man recording – this time from a fellow Brit! Thanks Alex!!
Nick
First heard you on the reading of Around the World in 80 Days, now listening to The Invisible Man.
Wonder work! Thank you!!!
Very well done Alex! H.G.Wells works should always be read by an Englishman. Its too bad you didn’t do the reading of War of the Worlds, as I just finished listening to it before The Invisible Man and was a little disappointed it was read by 4 or 5 different people. Not that I’m knocking the other readers of said book, but it is nice to have one reader doing the job. I still appreciate their work though! Keep up the good work!
Just finished Mysterious Affair at Styles and loved your recording. Especially Hercules accent, now that I see you have a BA in French explains why he sounded so good. Please record some more…..
I just listened to your reading of Around the World in 80 Days. Very good work!
I have recently begun listening to Librivox while I am driving all over the US. When I listened to Journey to the Centre of the Earth your chapters definitely stood out. Then a few months later I happened across Invisible Man and I was extremely happy to discover that you were the reader. Thank you so much for your contributions! Did you record anything else?
Thank you for your recorded chapters of Journey to the Center of the Earth. I listened to this audio book during my long drive from Deadhorse, Alaska to Fairbanks, Alaska after a rigorous but successful caribou hunt. It was a real pleasure to relieve myself from a strenuous outdoor adventure with a long scenic drive while being engaged in this classic novel wonderfully read. Again, thank you and keep on with your readings.
I’ve listened to your and other people’s reading of Treausure Island by R.L. Stevenson. You’ve read your chapters more better than other readers! I really enjoyed. Thank you for your work! It helps me to study English. I’m from Russia. I’ve heard your website from the audiofile and I was very interested to learn about you. I admire volunteers who make free goods for all comunity.
My name’s Tim Holland. I live in Perth, Western Australia, and a friend recently put me onto audiobooks. Like everyone else here, I really enjoyed your reading of ‘The Invisible Man’. It was the first one I chose, and now I’m keen to hear more.
Cheers,
Tim
I guess I’ll jump in and say I too enjoyed your reading of The Invisible Man. One of my early experiences with Librivox was poor. A certain book had multiple readers, and the one who did the most was quite boring. Your reading was delightful though, I love how each character sounded a little different.