After listening to a few clips of The Silmarillion narrated by Andy Serkis, I am interested in seeing if I could actually get used to listening to audiobooks. I usually can’t focus enough on audio alone to keep up with a book but now I’m thinking it might be more of a narration quality thing than anything else.
What are your suggestions for other audiobooks with great or at least similar narration as this new version of The Silmarillion?
Others have given great suggestions for good narrators but I just want to add that audiobooks work best for me when I’m doing something else to keep busy. I have a job that doesn’t require much brain power or interacting with people so I can use earbuds at work and that’s my favorite time to listen to audiobooks, I got through the three body problem in 2 days and over the last 2 days I’ve gotten 3/4 of the way through the second book. I’ve also gone through the whole series of The Expanse on audiobook as well.
Give em a shot when you’re doing tedious chores or out for a walk, or at work if you have a job that allows it. I’ve heard of others that like listening to audiobooks while driving but I’ve never done that. I’ve tried listening to audiobooks without doing anything else and my mind wanders to much, and if I try to read along with a book in my hands then I tend to read to fast to keep up with the narration and it just ends up being a distraction.
I love the Joe Abercrombie books narrated by Steven Pacey. Recommend them to anyone who likes dark fantasy.
Steven Pacey is a true talent. He is a man of a thousand voices. The major characters are all so unique and distinct but even the minor characters all feel like individual people. Pacey does such a wonderful job bringing the world of The First Law series to life.
The discworld series narrated by Nigel Planer and Stephen Briggs are EXCELLENT
My absolute favorite audiobook narrator is the late Frank Muller. I’m currently listening to his narration of Interview With The Vampire and it’s incredible how well he’s able to convey the tone and atmosphere of the story.
I first encountered him when I was listening to the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. When I discovered that (due to his passing) the series switched narrators after the fourth book, I considered switching to the print copies rather than hear someone else narrate those books. I’m glad I didn’t, because George Guidall did a very good job finishing up the series, but no one can quite compare to Frank Muller.
Project Hail Mary read by Ray Porter is amazing!
Almost anything by Ray Porter is incredibly well read and well produced. NOS4A2 read by Kate Mulgrew is solid.
Voice is the most important factor for audiobooks.
One narrator with a great voice is Tom Parker (aka Grover Gardner).
