I Seek the Wisdom of the Flist!

[andpuff]

So, we've been having a few discussions lately about the possibility of the Blood series (also known as the Victoria Nelson books, the Vicki/Henry/Mike books and as the series that really needs a series title...) being done as audio books

Comments

[shanejayell]

Personally I like one reader, but that's me.

[heinous_bitca]

The Vicki books tend to be from just one character's perspective, so I think the single narrator works best.

If you're doing a series that has multiple viewpoints, say something like Wheel of Time or A Song of Ice and Fire, then multiple is probably better, at least to separate in the listener's mind (ear?) that we've moved onto another's POV.

[andpuff]

The Vicki books (which is what I call them too *g*) all had at least four main POV's: Vicki, Henry, Mike and the antagonist and the occasional minor character putting his/her two cents worth in. Which, admittedly, is NOTHING compared to either of your two examples.

[heinous_bitca]

Yeah, well, it's been a while since I read them. *blush* I knew about the minor characters, and of course now that I think about it, Henry. But I still think of them as Vicki's books! :D

[starfishchick]

There are multiple points of view in all of the Vicki/Blood books.

Edited to add: Um, which Tanya has already pointed out. (She hadn't commented when I opened my comment tab.)

[lacyjae]

You should listen to a Scott Sigler audiobook (for free on podiobooks.com) - he does all his readings but there are sound effects and lots of drama and voices. I haven't listened to much in the way of audiobooks except for his, but it's like listening to a radio play. You can tell the voices are all by the same actor but they're still all individual and recognizable throughout. - I mention this because hiring one or two voice actors who can do a range might be easier than doing an entire cast. :)

While I will totally listen to a normal audiobook (Watership Down was done really well), I definitely prefer voices, and some sound effects and all that.

[alitalf]

Now there is a suggestion! He is exceptional in the way that he savors the words - somehow brings the story more to life than you'd expect. When he has said a word, you *know* it has been said.

[wiliqueen]

Red-- no, blue-- no-- AAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!!

Actually, I tend to listen to audio plays (Big Finish FTW!) more than to books. I listen in the car pretty exclusively, and the multiple cast members and sound effects and score seem to make me less likely to find that I lost the plot at some point in the last few minutes and have to back it up.

That said, I'm iffy on going halfway. With actual prose fiction (particularly the specific examples at hand, in which already know I'm as fond of the narrative as of the dialogue), multiple readers are a tricky proposition that I've yet to hear pulled off especially well. I always seem to find it jarring.

Brains. Weird things, they are.

[filkferengi]

Have you tried Bruce Coville's Full Cast Audio? Tamora Pierce is a regular cast member.

[wiliqueen]

I haven't. Thanks for the tip!