Tolkien Audio Books

[garyh]

I've read the books several times and enjoyed the movies a bunch - but I finally realized there was another medium I could enjoy LotR in!!

 

[garyh]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. In case anyone is interested, I've just ordered the BBC abridged dramatizations of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings from Amazon.

 

[Mistwell]

I read somewhere that the audio version of The Silmarillion makes the book actually comprehensible. Can anyone offer any educated advice on this?

 

[Sulimo]

I read somewhere that the audio version of The Silmarillion makes the book actually comprehensible. Can anyone offer any educated advice on this?

Nope. But then I always found it very comprehensible.

 

[Daiymo]

Curse all of you on this thread.

I just bought a car with a 6 disc cd changer, and after reading this thread went out and bought the BBC LOTR dramitization. I blame garyh for planting this seed in my weak willed head and making buy such an expensive product.

On the other hand, its very good, and entertaining.

I need a new sig graphic "I blame garyh for making me buy books on tape."

 

[Dr Midnight]

I don't know why there's been no mention of the Mind's Eye dramatization... I'm FAIRLY sure that's the one in the wooden box set they sell. It's my preferred version. The BBC version is good, but the music is just godawful. I couldn't believe what they tried to pass off as an elven ballad at the end of RotK... Combining a tone deaf opera singer (belting it out in full fat-lady-in-horns-and-golden-bra style) while a ten year old slaps at the keys of his baby sister's toy piano.

 

[Ranger REG]

Guys, I just saw what appears to be unabridged recording of the LOTR 3-volume set in CDs for $89.

Does anyone else have it? Is it good?

 

[The Sigil]

To put it bluntly, the LotR Unabridged version is not what you might think it is.

It is, very simply, an older gentleman reading the books in their entirety. No drama. No sound effects. No "multiple voices." Just imagine your grandfather reading you the LotR when you were little. It's about like that (don't get me started on the singing).

If you don't have the time to read the books to yourself and want to listen to it on the drive to work, that's fine. But be forewarned; this version (at least hte one I assume it is - mine was on audiotapes) is MANY HOURS long and VERY droll.

It has its place (I listen to it from time to time) but it is every bit as dry and drab as the book is. Basically, you could do just as well if you sat down with a mike and spent a week reading the book aloud. Hope that made sense.

--The Sigil

 

[Mistwell]

So nobody here has listend to the Silmarilian on audio?

 

[Assenpfeffer]

So nobody here has listend to the Silmarilian on audio?

I've listened to parts of it. I was not especially impressed. If you had trouble with the book, you'll have trouble with the audio version - but instead of putting it down you'll just tune it out.

The book is by no means incomprhensible. But it is a tough read. I thought it was worth the trouble.