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

[markbernstein]

I have no strong opinion one way or the other, but if there are auditions, I'd love to know about them. :)

[gorgeousgary]

I've never bought or borrowed an audiobook, so I can't comment on the poll.

However, I would definitely consider buying an audiobook voiced by a filker. Or providing the music.

Just sayin'... 8-)

[carbonel]

Full Cast Audio are generally interesting (I just finished listening to Tamora Pierce's Wild Magic, and they did all the Pat Wrede "Dragon" series), but I still prefer one reader, as long as he or she does a good job of it.

[mbernardi]

I was going to mention Full Cast Audio too. Tamora Pierce's Melting Stones was written as an audio book, and was only published in paperback later. It's my favourite audio book of all time.

[mackenziesmomma]

Okay I'm not big on {traditional books as} audiobooks BUT I did enjoy the Stargate Atlantis Audiobooks. They were semi-dramatized books- they had some suspenseful music and minor special effects but not *too* many- Oh and there were generally 2 actors- one 'canon' actor (Torri Higginson, Paul McGillion, David Nykl, Kavan Smith) and one 'non-canon' actor and they were quite well done.

(I may totally be biased after the Kavan Smith read one ("Impressions") gave me possibly the *best* quote ever that being "I could do a striptease on the table and paint myself blue...." (Okay it actually goes on but I mentally end it right there) and we all know what a Kavan fan I am ;))

So...I think there is a line between "Dramatized" and "Over Dramatized" that if done correctly might be the perfect balance.

[debmats]

I listen to audiobooks all the time (love my ipod, I do).
Some books that I've enjoyed with a single reader are the Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs and the Alpha & Omega books also by Patricia Briggs. Love James Marsters's reading of the Harry Dresden stories.

Maia mentioned Barbara Rosenblat - I love her readings of the Mrs. Polifax stories.

As to dramatizations or multiple voices - I really like Full Cast Audio and their versions of Tamora Pierce's books. (With Tamora Pierce as the main narrator!)

Yes, and then there are those narrations which make me crazy. Wrong voice or accent. A favorite fantasy story being read by a person with a strong Brooklyn accent - doesn't quite fit the mood.

[candidia]

I haven't had too much exposure to audio books, but one thing I found very jarring about listening to Have Spacesuit Will Travel by a full cast was that the young girl had a terribly squeaky (ditzy?) voice and didn't sound at all like the intelligent and with-it Peewee in my head.

Having a single narrator with a neutral but energetic voice is a lot more pleasant. Librivox has a wonderful (free) edition of The Railway Children that's a delight to listen to (and happens to last exactly the time driving from Ottawa to Toronto, oddly enough).