Dune (Audiobook) Review

Dune was the first Audiobook I purchased, said purchase occurring about 2 years ago. I'd say I've listened to it about 20 times since than which probably brings the total number of times I have read/heard the book well into triple figures. To see my review of Dune click here.

The Unabridged Audio Book was created by Audio Renaissance Now an arm of the publishing house Macmillian. As I stated in my review of the Pandora's Star, The Dune audiobook is very lavish, which is currently very rare in the (re)burgeoning a-book industry. Here we have not one voice actor (as is common) but several, and this does improve the quality. The actors are able to bounce of each other as needed, and give real depth to their performances.

The book is expertly narrated by Simon Vance. With the other actors taking on several parts. Of note are the portrayals of The Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, who is portrayed as having a relatively soft public voice and Bass almost demonic private voice. Which gives the perfect feel to the complex character. Also Scott Brick's Stilgar, is fantastically portrayed as a voice full of power, wisdom and command.

Dune is such a rich tapestry, it was definitely the right call to do this “Theatre Style” I.e as though it where a live production (although at over 24 hours it would be some stage show.) The very talented Paul Goodrich expertly mixes in subtle background music and effects, it really is a joy to listen to.

Audio really is the only other medium Dune truly works in. Dune is so lean, which is surprising at 645 page. Like his creation Count Fenrring Herbert never uses two words were one will do, or limits himself to one meaning in one word. Their really isn't any sub-plots that can be trimmed off, without effecting the whole. Which is why though their have been some very good efforts, Dune will never translate properly to film or TV.

My recommendation for this audio-book is buy it, but it now. If you already own a copy buy another one.

Pandora's Star Audiobook Review

You may have read my recent review of the novel Pandora's Star, if not...why not. So I won't go into the book in detail here.

So after that disclaimer on with the review.

I recently did the thing i've been on the slipper slope to for some time now. I joined audible. Audible for those that don't now is the Audiobook wing of Amazon. They sell audiobooks per item or (and this is where I come in,) as a pay per month club. As I've been a bit of audiobooks glutton recently and I already had about 6 lined up, I made the jump.

First book up, was Pandora's Star the “first” (I don't count Misspent Youth) of “five” books set in the Commonwealth Universe and the first of two in the Commonwealth saga. All five of these books are created by Tantor media, and read by the very talented John Lee. I personally tend to favour the lavish multi-actor audio-books (Dune) but they can go rather astray if done wrong (Dune Messaih). John Lee manages to handle Hamilton's rather extensive cast, and at times its easy to forget that all the voices are him. Of particular note are his Gore Burnelli and his Paula Myo. He brings the universe to life with ease. The audio is good quality and the material is treated with great care. Its quite expensive if bought singularly, but not to bad if you pay per month.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this audiobook. Its a great place to start an audiobook collection or continue an existing one. Its rather cheaper than the excellent Harry Potter books and lighter than the paperback version of Pandora's Star which is rather heavy to carry around all day.

More reviews to follow as i slowly fill up my shiny new ipod.

The Kat's Amazon Store is open for business.

Some of my more regular readers may have noticed the Amazon adverts plastered all over the site. Unlike the google ads these aren’t pay per click adds, I only get revenue from these when people click them and buy products from Amazon. A bit of a trade off as the conversion rates are much lower but the revenue is proportionally higher.

A few days ago I decided to create an aStore (Amazon Store) of my very own. I started to collate my favourite products and placed them on my aStore. These are mostly things I have bought from Amazon in the past and highly recommend. At the moment its mainly books and (my new obsession) audiobooks, but the store will grow over the next few weeks to include more.

Hopefully it’ll give me the push to write the reviews I’ve been planning on writing for ages now. Watch this space.

You can find my aStore here. Or by using the banner add at the bottom of the page.

2011 Book List - Draft 1

Here is a short draft List of the Books I'm looking forward to next year.




Alastair Reynolds' new Series starts next year. I love Reynolds' work i read his last book (well at least some of it.) Terminal World on a flight from Las Vegas to New York and 5 hours has never gone so fast. This new book comes as part of a new "Mega-Bucks" deal that Reynolds has recently signed, and quire right to. I know a few people are worried that his writing may suffer due to the commitments demanded of him, but he's pretty damn prolific. I Imagine he'll eat up any demands with room to spare. I for one can't wait!



Hmmm that really is a draft! One! One book is all i can find that i'm looking forward to reading next year!.


So to bump out the List here are some books and audiobooks i'm looking forward to owning but haven't bought yet.

Books



I got into Iain Banks' non 'M' work quite recently because i'd run out of his excellent 'M' books (sci-fi). I was not disappointed my personal favourites so far are The Wasp Factory and Complicity (Abacus Paperback). I have read that transitions is a move to bring together his non-m and m works as their are sci-fi elements to this work. Sounds good bring it on.


Audiobooks

I love an audiobook not because I'm lazy (I normally get audiobooks of books I've already read ,) but because they are great distractions/background while at the gym or working.


Pandora's Star (Commonwealth Saga 1) and it sequel Judas Unchained (Commonwealth Saga 2) are fantastic books(whatever Paul says,) but being Hamilton's usual epic tomes are not really books you can quickly reread. Great if you have a month to spare, not so good for filling an empty lunch hour with. Thats the great thing about audiobooks it doesn't matter its sat on your iPod waiting for you to escape into. I'll definatly be adding this to my brand spanking new Apple iPod classic 160GB - Black.




As I said above I love Reynolds' work and were better to start with the audiobooks than at the beginning of his epic Revelation Space saga. No where that's where!