Audiobook Week: Sound Effects and Narrators

By Jen On June 7, 2011 · Add Comment · In Uncategorized

It’s day 2 of Audiobook Week, and today’s discussion prompts are:

How do you feel about sound effects in audiobooks? Love them? Hate them? Take them or leave them?

Although there are exceptions, I’m not usually a fan of sound effects in audiobooks. For me, they tend to distract from the story rather than enhance it. Often they can make the recording sound cheesy and sometimes this has negatively impacted my opinion of the book.

Single narrator vs. multiple narrators vs. full cast – thoughts?

My preference for narrators depends on the story… but I’m all for multiple narrators and full casts in audiobooks. My favorite single narrator is Jim Dale, who narrated the Harry Potter series. His ability to do multiple voices – male and female – is the best I’ve ever heard. I don’t think full casts are necessary, but I do love when there is both a male and female to narrate their respective characters. I listened to Graceling earlier this year which is narrated by a full cast, and I have to say that was fun to listen to!

So, what’s your take on sound effects and multiple narrators?