I’ve finally gotten around to listening to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on CD. I’m only about halfway through and have been surprised by how much I missed the first time around. I always catch so much more when I listen to it because Jim Dale gives such life to the words. It’s really amazing. I wouldn’t recommend listening instead of reading, but I would definitely recommend listening after you’ve read the books. I’ve listened to Jim Dale read all of them to me and it completely expands my love of the books. If that love could have possibly grown more.
He even does a good job of giving the standard characters different voices when/if they have to use the Polyjuice potion. Yet, somehow, I’m still able to know who is who. It’s amazing.
Have you listened to any of the readings? Are you as in love with Jim Dale’s interpretation as I am?
Listening to Jim is my favorite way to enjoy Harry Potter. Grad school ruined me for reading (scanscanscan - ooh that looks important! slow down!) so this summer I was the girl who wandered around whole foods in a daze with her mp3 player because I could not stop listening. I have books 4-7 as audio files, and I listen to them when I’m bored with music or my commute starts annoying me.
I haven’t listened to Jim Dale, but on your recommendation, I will. Our favorite audio book narrator is Barbara Rosenblatt and she is so amazing ~ it’s a crazy gift to be able to use your voice alone to convey the character!
I love his readings - I’ve read and then listened to all of the HP books too and he definitely does a great job of bringing them to life. I haven’t started reading HP and the Deathly Hollows yet, although I have had it on the bookshelf since July. I’m looking forward to starting this weekend while in the car on a road trip. I can’t wait to read your predictions from when you were reading it too.
I’ve listened to Jim reading book 5 around 6 times or so. It’s quite lovely when driving across country and you’re sick to death of hearing the same 5 songs…unless you’re in Utah, in which case you don’t get to hear quite as much music, somehow, but a lot of talk radio.
What Sarah said: “I listen to them when I’m bored with music or my commute starts annoying me.” is true for me, too. There’s something soothing about his voice!
I lost the very last disc tho! Cannot find it ANYWHERE…dang, dang, dang!
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe your hubby hasn’t read it yet! Tell him to hurry up or Nikki will beat him to it
I’m not much for books on CD but I might have to try that one - maybe when I’m on my next road trip!
I’ve never read any of the Harry Potter books. I actually thought about starting from..one? and going through the entire series as some kind of reading project, but listening to them might not be a bad idea, just to play catch up.
I may have to invest in some books on CD, as the TV is driving me insane, and while being home with a baby is great in many regards, I like the background noise to remind me that I’m not alone.
Where did you get them?
Um, what pray tell, has Mr.Z been doing?? Besides of course working full time, redoing your kitchen, and training for a marathon?
No excuse, Dude. You need to read that book!
wait…he hasn’t finished the book yet??? egads!!
I haven’t listened to them on tape..i dont have the patience…
I may or may not have checked them all out from the library and transfered them to my computer. Technically, I’m not stealing. I could check them out anytime. Right?
I have just received all 7 books on cd…. I want to listen to them all but I started with Book 7. lolol. Jim Dale is doing a great job. I am really feeling the book listening to him.
Will you ban me if I admit that I haven’t read any of the HP books or seen any of the movies?
Being a huge Harry lover myself, I got myself the first four audiobooks ready for my laser eye operation way back in May - and spent the weekend drugged out, often falling asleep to his voice.
Since then I’ve got through all of them - except the Hallows! I think I’ll need to find a good copy of it soon, as I’m moving to a new country and can’t lug my seven lovelies with me. Sad!
I live in the UK so the Version we get is read by Stephen Fry. I got the hallows and listened to it just after I read the book. I agree that you get far more from the audio. I think I read the book so fast I missed a lot. I have to say that I was a bit weepy when I read the book but listening to it I nearly sobbed on the bus!!!
Listening to Jim Dale read is just fantastic. When I can’t sleep at night, I listen to him on my iPod….it’s great. Plus, I was totally thrilled when I started watching Pushing Daisies…and there he was narrating a great show!
Mr. Z’s not the only one: I’m now 9th on the waiting list for the French version and I’m determined to finish the whole damn series in French before I re-read any of them in English. I’ve still managed to avoid spoilers so far, so let’s hope I make it…
Dear MrZ,
You are killing me. Please read the book. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Jenny H.