Listening to Discworld Novels

[ElAbuelo]

Over many years I have bought, read and retained all the Discworld novels. And again, over the years, I have re-read some with almost as much enjoyment as the first time.
However for the past year or so, thanks to Audible, I have now listened to many of them and found that they are even better than I thought previously!
Possibly, when I read the stories I am so keen to find out what is going to happen next I miss some of the subtlety of the writing. Only when I listen do I appreciate how clever it all is.
Does anyone out there agree with me?
ElAbuelo (Geoff)

 

[Bouncy Castle]

I've never listened to any books of Terry's, though I have got The Brightonomicon by Robert Rankin, which is good.

To be honest, I don't know that I'd find the time to sit down and listen. The RR discs I use to send me off to sleep!

 

[Tiffany]

Over many years I have bought, read and retained all the Discworld novels. And again, over the years, I have re-read some with almost as much enjoyment as the first time.
However for the past year or so, thanks to Audible, I have now listened to many of them and found that they are even better than I thought previously!
Possibly, when I read the stories I am so keen to find out what is going to happen next I miss some of the subtlety of the writing. Only when I listen do I appreciate how clever it all is.
Does anyone out there agree with me?
ElAbuelo (Geoff)

Yes, I totally agree with you. A lot of my audio CD books are the Tony Robinson versions, but even abridged, which I know a lot of people on here hate, I have had enjoyment from listening to them.

 

[Dotsie]

Hi Geoff! I used to listen to a lot of audio books when I was running, just to distract me from the pain, but the library only ever had the abridged Tony Robinson versions so it felt more like 'Pratchett-lite'. I can't remember anything about any other versions, except that someone had Colon as Welsh, which felt so wrong (he's not from Llamedos, he would have said so I'm sure).

 

[raisindot]

Absolutely! I read all the books first, but since have amassed a collection of just about every Stephen Briggs read book, and selected favorites read by Nigel Planer that I listen to whilst traveling by plane or when exercising. The best ones truly do bring the story to life, and today when I re-read some of the books I always "hear' the dialogue in the voice of whoever read it.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

I've never listened to any books of Terry's, though I have got The Brightonomicon by Robert Rankin, which is good.

To be honest, I don't know that I'd find the time to sit down and listen. The RR discs I use to send me off to sleep!

Listen to them out and about on a MP3 player or your phone Bouncy.

 

[ElAbuelo]

Hi everyone,
Further to my posting above, where I mention Audible, for those not in the know I recommend you look at http://www.audible.co.uk and then search under Discworld.
To date, over the past year I have downloaded at least a dozen unabridged Terry Pratchett novels and am enjoying everyone.
As a member of Audible, if I do not like an audio book within a month of downloading it, I can cancel that book and get a full refund. (Unfortunately for me I like the books so much that I am still keeping them all on computer and don't want to give any back.) Then I download to my Ipod and listen when both driving or walking.
Geoff

 

[Bouncy Castle]

I've never listened to any books of Terry's, though I have got The Brightonomicon by Robert Rankin, which is good.

To be honest, I don't know that I'd find the time to sit down and listen. The RR discs I use to send me off to sleep!

Listen to them out and about on a MP3 player or your phone Bouncy.

Don't have an MP3 player or a phone that can play stuff, Dug.

I used to have an MP3, and Dan at the office downloaded from the CDs the Rankin one, and a couple of other CDs (Carpeters! included) then the player went Phut, and the only time I listen to the Rankin ones now, is on my laptop when I want to switch off the lights and go ZsssssZzzzzd's!

 

[The Mad Collector]

I love the Discworld audio books and have a complete set of the CD's that I regularly play. The recording quality of Light Fantastic is a bit dodgy and sometimes Stephen says a line in the wrong voice but I just love being read to

 

[Teppic]

30+ Discworld books in my pocket...

...better than an imp in a box

 

[octarinefire]

I tried an Equal Rites one once read by Celia Imrie but couldn't really get into it. I did subequently listen to Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents read by Stephen Baxter (if I remember rightly - it was a long time ago and on cassette lol) which was very good.
I do like Audiobooks but find that much depends on the person reading - that can make or break it! I have books on CD that I just don't listen to because the person reading ruins the experience but have others that I can listen to over and over again because the voice artist is perfect!

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

I did not like Celia Imrie on that one that much either, for me Stephen Briggs is really good and Nigel Planer is good as well but they are on the UNABRIDGED versions, I don't like Tony Robinson much on the short abbridged ones though.

 

[raisindot]

I can't stand Celie Imrie at all. The only one of hers I have is "Wyrd Sisters" and the way she voices Nanny Ogg as a decrepit, weak doddering old woman is a travesty.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

That's the only one I think she's on.

 

[Sister Jennifer]

Believe it or not I've yet to listen to a DW novel on audio. I don't know why.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Today I've just finished listening to Doger, unabridged version narrated by Stephen Briggs, really good I especially like the SODW ones I'm looking forward to number IV coming I will get the book as well.

 

[Sister Jennifer]

So I just ordered on Fishpond, Guards! Guards!, Wyrd Sisters & Small Gods read by Tony Robinson.

Very exciting.

 

[Tonyblack]

So I just ordered on Fishpond, Guards! Guards!, Wyrd Sisters & Small Gods read by Tony Robinson.

Very exciting.

Do you realise that those are abridged versions, Jenn?

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

So I just ordered on Fishpond, Guards! Guards!, Wyrd Sisters & Small Gods read by Tony Robinson.

Very exciting.

You will find quite a bit missing on these ones SJ the unabridged ones are the same as the book word for word.

 

[Sister Jennifer]

Shit.

Unabridged, got it. Shall see what I can do. Teach me to read things properly.