HMS Surprise on BBC radio 4

[esteven]

In case, you have missed it, BBC radio 4 had produced a three-part play based on HMS Surprise. It has been done well, considering that it had to be heavily abridged to fit into 2.15hrs. It doesn't take long to get used to the voices so different from the movie.

Here are the links to the parts

May you enjoy.

Comments

[ex_luinil]

I've finished (listened to an audiobook of, that is) Master and Commander. I'm waiting to get paperbacks of the next two, and am impatient. I have not even had a chance to go to a library in the past few weeks. ):

I've been reading the posts from Master and Commander at mandc_read and I would love to join in when I am caught up to the right place. :)

[esteven]

How good to hear from you. :D

The BBC radio 4 production is a bit different from the audiobooks. For one, it is severely cut (only 2hrs 15mins), for another it is a play, not a narration.

Do join in at mandc_read when you feel like it. You know you don't have to wait until you have caught up in order to comment. The posts at all the previous books are still open. :D

[gillianinoz]

You have an M&C audiobook? I have been trying to get one everywhere!

Is is abridged? Is it any good? What was the reader like?

And where did you get it?

[ex_luinil]

Friended so you can read my post on it. :D

I downloaded it from iTunes. They have a lot of downloadable audiobooks from Audible.com. Audible actually has this subscription thing where you can pay like $8.00 for each of the first three months, but I bought this one at the iTunes price.

And it is unabridged. They have, however, the whole series on Audible in abridged versions, which seems like pretty much the lamest idea ever, right? I wonder what they leave out.

[gillianinoz]

I will check out iTunes - I bought a book there once and it was not a success. The book was labelled unabridged but totally was.

I complained and di get my money back - but I have never tried to buy from there again. They are quite dear from iTunes as well.

I will check out audible as well. Thanks - and thanks for friending!

[ex_luinil]

As far as I know mine is unabridged, which seems right because the marked abridged versions are halved in length. It was about six dollars less in regular price on iTunes than on Audible, but obv the subscription on Audible would be a better deal. It was technically a family purchase for us anyway, although I don't know who else in my family is as interested as I am. My younger sister is likely.

I love new friends. My lj is flocked just to keep it out of the claustrophobic familiarity of my crowded household. :P

[gillianinoz]

Audible was a so/so success. I chose the PO'B book I wanted, joined the club and got my credit, but when I tried to buy the book I was told that the book was not available in my country! Now that I have registered most of the PO'B books don't even come up in my search. And most of the ones that do are the abridged versions read by Robert Hardy (2 1/2 hours long, rather than 12 hours long).

I ended up downloading The Commodore, because Desolation Island, the one I wanted, was not available unabridged. :-(

The book is great, I have listened to half of it already, but I'm a bit peeved that they don't warn people before they sign up that some titles are not available.

[esteven]

They are very expensive, but the unabridged readings by Patrick Tull are generally thought to be the best.

Apart from recordedbooks, you will be able to find some of them on ebay or amazon. Your library does not have them?

[gillianinoz]

I haven't been able to find any yet - our libraries seem to spend a lot on books and computers, not updating their audio books from cassette tapes. :-)

Thanks for the link - I will check ut out!

[gillianinoz]

Dude, you were not kidding about the price - whew!

[esteven]

Believe me, if you went on amazon, you would find some of those tapes (because they may no longer be available) for over $1000...

[gillianinoz]

They must be very high quality. He has a great range - the Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters is a favourite of mine - and one I would love to have in audiobook format, especially the first three.

I think I will stick to iTunes from now on!

[esteven]

I'llkeep my fingers crossed that you will find the audiobooks unabridged. Simon Vance is really not too bad. :D

[ex_luinil]

I read of Patrick Tull being known as "The Voice" in fandom, so I'm interested in hearing those readings. I think the Simon Vance recording was good for a beginner, though.

And yes, wow, that's a considerable price. I go for downloadable versions of everything and just keep them on my computer, seeing as I don't have a car stereo, or a car for that matter.

[esteven]

Maybe your library or some interstate library has some of them?

Simon Vance does a good job though.

[ex_luinil]

I wish I had known that, but it must not affect me being in the States. Pretty crap of them. I'm glad you're liking the book you got, because I did like mine so much.