I remember when my Dad surprised me with those CDs. I squealed with joy and my sister was like "okay." At first, I thought that they were audio books stupidly having not read the covers, but when I realized they were audio drama... it was ten times better for me!!! Though I had already since both Narnia films, my imagination grew more after I listened to all of seven books.
I listened to them in order. I never listen to just one. I always start at the beginning and work my way through.
The dramas are almost exactly like the books. The only thing I have noticed is more dialogue in places and sometimes instead of having narration they'll have dialogue which I think is really nice. I found the voices really easy to distinguishe.
I always thought that the CD's were recorded and then published all at once but I don't know for sure.
I think the BBC ones are the ones that are read by only one person.....
No, the BBC ones are audio drama as well. Brian Sibley was involved in that production - I think he wrote the script, so to speak.
There are also other CDs available which are audio books, though, with one actor reading a whole book (but different actors for the different books). I've got one with Kenneth Branagh reading The Magician's Nephew. I especially like the section where the Cabby leaves his Cockney accent and regains the Country accent he had as a boy. Branagh really makes that easy to follow.
(avi artwork by Henning Janssen)
^^ really? I didn't know that? I will have to look for those!
NW sister - wild rose ~ NW big sis - ramagut
Born in the water
Take quick to the trees
I want all that You are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADBC57vKfQ
I just listened to the VDT audio drama for the first time, having previously only heard HHB and MN. Of the three I've heard I'd say my favorite is HHB. MN is very good also. VDT is well done, and much better then a mere audio book, but... Well, I want to make a couple of comments on things in VDT:
1. The part where they fall into the ocean is really good. The waves, Lucy being pulled under by Eustace, and Caspian diving over the side of the DT are all very well done as far sound effects.
2. When Reepicheep challenges Eustace to duel after being swung about by the tail, Caspian suggests that Reepicheep would have to be handicapped. In the book, he says Eustace. I wish they hadn't changed this.
3. When they are captured by Pug and his men Lucy has tears in her voice. I didn't mind at all that she gets upset when Caspian is bought by Lord Bern, but I thought that those first tears were not so in keeping with Lucy's valiant character.
4. The Dark Island was very good. Dark indeed. Lucy crying out to Aslan was touchingly done.
5. The line where Caspian asks Ramdat about breaking the enchantment by kissing the princess was given to Eustace.
6. The Lamb's voice was rather strange. It did not really sound like a lamb's voice at all. But I suppose this could have been due to the difficulties of working out a voice that would be able to morph into Aslan's without too much difficulty.
"In the end, there is something to which we say: 'This I must do.'"
- Gordon T. Smith
avi by Flambeau
The switched lines bothered me too, but I don't really mind anything else. They're great audio dramas. Maybe I'm so partial to them b/c they're what got me into Narnia
I just listened to the VDT audio drama for the first time, having previously only heard HHB and MN. Of the three I've heard I'd say my favorite is HHB. MN is very good also. VDT is well done, and much better then a mere audio book, but... Well, I want to make a couple of comments on things in VDT:
1. The part where they fall into the ocean is really good. The waves, Lucy being pulled under by Eustace, and Caspian diving over the side of the DT are all very well done as far sound effects.
2. When Reepicheep challenges Eustace to duel after being swung about by the tail, Caspian suggests that Reepicheep would have to be handicapped. In the book, he says Eustace. I wish they hadn't changed this.
3. When they are captured by Pug and his men Lucy has tears in her voice. I din't mind at all that she gets upset when Caspian is bought by Lord Bern, but I thought that those first tears were not so in keeping with Lucy's valiant character.
4. The Dark Island was very good. Dark indeed. Lucy crying out to Aslan was touchingly done.
5. The line where Caspian asks Ramdat about breaking the enchantment by kissing the princess was given to Eustace.
6. The Lamb's voice was rather strange. It did not really sound like a lamb's voice at all. But I suppose this could have been due to the difficulties of working out a voice that would be able to morph into Aslan's without too much difficulty.
^^ yes, I was a little annoyed that they had to mess up those bits in VotDT.....and they also messed up the bit when Reepicheep first appears!
NW sister - wild rose ~ NW big sis - ramagut
Born in the water
Take quick to the trees
I want all that You are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADBC57vKfQ
^^what did they change? I don't exactly remember, I haven't listened to it in a while...
Oh, and I did notice that while they did include the mer-people, they removed that short, moving scene between Lucy and the Sea-Shepherdess.
Another little annoying thing.
Also, while I really like the HHB drama, when I got out the book and read along for a while, I noticed that a lot of little details of the surroundings, which really help to put you into the story, are deleted. Of course, in an audio drama, the music and sound effects partially replace these, and one can't expect them to fit in everything. But I did notice. I assume it's the same with the other dramas, but I haven't got out the books and checked.
"In the end, there is something to which we say: 'This I must do.'"
- Gordon T. Smith
avi by Flambeau
Oh, and I did notice that while they did include the mer-people, they removed that short, moving scene between Lucy and the Sea-Shepherdess.
Another little annoying thing.
^^ now that you mention it, I noticed that and that is annoying! I wish I didn't know that.....
NW sister - wild rose ~ NW big sis - ramagut
Born in the water
Take quick to the trees
I want all that You are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADBC57vKfQ
I don't necessarily find it annoying, just a little dissapointing.
I like the Audio books, they are enjoyable to listen to, and fun voices (however some voices I don't like, for instance Reepicheeps. When I was younger and I first listened to it, I thought it was a woman speaking not Reepicheep)
"Lot's of Planets have a North!" ~ The Doctor
^^ yes! Aslan is my least afvorite, but I also don't like that awful high pitched voice for Reepicheep! a bit too high and nasily.....
NW sister - wild rose ~ NW big sis - ramagut
Born in the water
Take quick to the trees
I want all that You are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADBC57vKfQ
I got them all they're awesome I got the Focus on the Family set for Christmas in 2005 I think my favorite's are HHB, VDT, and SC,
I like both the BBC and Focus on the Family Audio Dramas for Narnia. They're both very well done and interesting, and I really enjoy listening to them. The places that the narrator came in worked out super-well, and I'm glad that they didn't try to tell all of it with dialogue.
"Let the music cast its spell,
give the atmosphere a chance.
Simply follow where I lead;
let me teach you how to dance."