Read or Listen? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Inziladun · 08-24-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Reading them alone and quietly by oneself is just a poor substitute for the real thing.

I'd have to disagree with that also. There is something to be said for listening to a live reading, but a peaceful, solitary read allows me to get much more into the story. It's more of an escape that way, if I don't have to pay attention to a reader. I can disregard the real world entirely and become totally immersed.

Son of Númenor · 08-24-2009, 10:08 AM

I used to read The Silmarillion aloud to my family by the fireside in the evenings. We got through the book in a couple of months, and I really enjoyed the experience. I agree with Esty that Middle-earth was made to be heard! Eä!

Can someone recommend a good audio version of LotR, preferably un-dramatized? I have never thought to use this medium, but perhaps it will be good this coming winter (my preferred season for reading the trilogy), as I'll have so much other reading to do for school that my brain will do well by relaxing and letting someone else do the work of reading my favorite book to me.

mormegil · 08-24-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Son of Númenor

Can someone recommend a good audio version of LotR, preferably un-dramatized? I have never thought to use this medium, but perhaps it will be good this coming winter (my preferred season for reading the trilogy), as I'll have so much other reading to do for school that my brain will do well by relaxing and letting someone else do the work of reading my favorite book to me.

I checked it out from the library but it was Robert Inglis who read it, he really did a good job with the voices. Here is a link to Amazon that may work.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lord-Rings-C.../dp/0007141327

Guinevere · 11-06-2010, 05:28 PM

If I have time, I actually prefer reading, for the same reasons that Legate and Inziladun gave. I can read at my own pacing, can go back and reread if necessary (for better comprehension or special relish of favourite passages) and can immerse much better in the story.
On the other hand, Tolkien's wonderful language fairly calls out to be read aloud - I often catch myself moving silently my lips while reading.

Several years ago I saw an unabridged Audiobook of the Lord of the Rings (read by Rob Inglis) in my English Book shop, but I wasn't sure if the narrator's voice and performance would be to my liking. It seemed an awful lot of money for buying "a pig in a poke"!
Well, after listening to some samples on YouTube of Rob Inglis reading from the Hobbit I finally made up my mind and ordered the LotR Audiobook.

I am not disappointed - Mr.Inglis really does an excellent job, even with the songs!

I mostly listen to the CD's while ironing or doing other household chores that are not noisy and don't require too much concentration. I am actually looking forward to such work now!

xMellrynxMaidenx · 11-06-2010, 07:19 PM

I prefer to read as well. I already have the character's voices pegged out in my mind, and if I tried to listen to it and the actor's voice isn't the same as the voice in my mind, then the two clash and I end up unable to follow along with the rest of the story. Aside from that, I would fall asleep if I listened to it.

Our English teacher, when I was in my Jr. year, played Beowulf on tape for us...I fell alseep and snored, and quite loudly too might I add, through the entire thing.

I just enjoyed reading it more and in general enjoy reading anything.

alatar · 11-06-2010, 08:22 PM

Read.

Robert Inglis does an excellent job reading the unabridged audiobook version, but after a gagillion times you begin to tire of his voice.

View Poll Results: Read or Listen
Read	22	75.86%
Listen	6	20.69%
Read while listening	0	0%
Watch the movie	1	3.45%
Voters: 29. You may not vote on this poll

08-24-2009, 10:08 AM	#2
Son of Númenor A Shade of Westernesse Join Date: May 2004 Location: The last wave over Atalantë Posts: 515	I used to read The Silmarillion aloud to my family by the fireside in the evenings. We got through the book in a couple of months, and I really enjoyed the experience. I agree with Esty that Middle-earth was made to be heard! Eä! Can someone recommend a good audio version of LotR, preferably un-dramatized? I have never thought to use this medium, but perhaps it will be good this coming winter (my preferred season for reading the trilogy), as I'll have so much other reading to do for school that my brain will do well by relaxing and letting someone else do the work of reading my favorite book to me. __________________ "This miserable drizzling afternoon I have been reading up old military lecture-notes again:- and getting bored with them after an hour and a half. I have done some touches to my nonsense fairy language - to its improvement."

11-06-2010, 05:28 PM	#4
Guinevere Banshee of Camelot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 5,830	If I have time, I actually prefer reading, for the same reasons that Legate and Inziladun gave. I can read at my own pacing, can go back and reread if necessary (for better comprehension or special relish of favourite passages) and can immerse much better in the story. On the other hand, Tolkien's wonderful language fairly calls out to be read aloud - I often catch myself moving silently my lips while reading. Several years ago I saw an unabridged Audiobook of the Lord of the Rings (read by Rob Inglis) in my English Book shop, but I wasn't sure if the narrator's voice and performance would be to my liking. It seemed an awful lot of money for buying "a pig in a poke"! Well, after listening to some samples on YouTube of Rob Inglis reading from the Hobbit I finally made up my mind and ordered the LotR Audiobook. I am not disappointed - Mr.Inglis really does an excellent job, even with the songs! I mostly listen to the CD's while ironing or doing other household chores that are not noisy and don't require too much concentration. I am actually looking forward to such work now! __________________ Yes! "wish-fulfilment dreams" we spin to cheat our timid hearts, and ugly Fact defeat! Last edited by Guinevere; 11-06-2010 at 05:32 PM.

11-06-2010, 07:19 PM	#5
xMellrynxMaidenx Wight Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Riding with the Grey Company Posts: 120	I prefer to read as well. I already have the character's voices pegged out in my mind, and if I tried to listen to it and the actor's voice isn't the same as the voice in my mind, then the two clash and I end up unable to follow along with the rest of the story. Aside from that, I would fall asleep if I listened to it. Our English teacher, when I was in my Jr. year, played Beowulf on tape for us...I fell alseep and snored, and quite loudly too might I add, through the entire thing. I just enjoyed reading it more and in general enjoy reading anything. __________________ ~\|And all will turn, to silver glass. A light on the water, Grey ships pass, Into the West. \|~ "Few now remember them...yet still some go wandering, sons of forgotten kings walking in loneliness, guarding from evil things folks that are heedless."

11-06-2010, 08:22 PM	#6
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Read. Robert Inglis does an excellent job reading the unabridged audiobook version, but after a gagillion times you begin to tire of his voice. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.