[Publib] importance of narrators in audio books

[Beverly Michaels]

I don't like being read to, so I don't like listening to audiobooks, but
I used to have a long commute, so I kept trying. (Actually I still have
a long commute, but now I can take the train, so I can read "real"
books). For me, the narrator could definitely be the kiss of death. For
example, while I love reading books by Oliver Sacks and Bill Bryson, I
can't stand to listen to either of them read their own works. They just
sound condescending and self-satisfied to me. And it's not that I don't
like British accents -- my husband has one.
 
On the positive side, I know of library patrons who will search for
anything read by George Guidall. (and their taste is confirmed by this
NYT quote, January 15, 2005) His voice "sounds like velvet," said
Rochelle O'Gorman, editor of audiobookcafe.com
<http://audiobookcafe.com/> . "He could read the phone book to me, and
I'd want to listen.")
 
Beverly Michaels 
Circulation Services 
Tredyffrin Public Library 
610-688-7092, ext 201 


________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Mary K Chelton
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 12:25 PM
To: audiobooks at list.audiodiversions.com; publib at webjunction.org;
yalsa-l at ala.org; alsc-l at ala.org; glisann at qc.edu
Subject: [Publib] importance of narrators in audio books


I am still collecting opinions, anecdotes, etc. for either background or
use in my PLA preconference presentation on "Audio Book Narrators as an
Independent Appeal Factor." The idea is that, over and above genre,
pace, characterization, mood, etc., the narrator can make or break
somebody's desire to read/listen to a book all by him/herself. An
example is my love for Michael Connelly's books where any desire to
listen to them was killed when I discovered the rights had been sold to
somebody using a narrator other than Dick Hill. In that instance, I
returned to text; in others, I've given up. 

Thanks in advance,

Mary K.


Mary K Chelton
Professor
GSLIS/Queens College
CUNY
65-30 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11367
(718) 997-3790,3667



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080303/2592e0ad/attachment.htm