I am bumping this thread because, after a couple of spins, I feel I can say I would definately recommend this audio collection! I agree with Mith and Davem here.
Not having been a big audio book collector, I was iffy on getting the BBC production. I will now! Although like the others, I am pleased to hear the authors voice, I am extremely impressed with Christopher! I would listen to him read word for word the entire Silm (10-15 cds..?) if it were available.
I will also go on the record in saying that this collection far exceeds the movies in influencing my personal mental image of the books. It is far more natural to me to hear Christopher's voice as my mental voice as I read the books, than it is to picture movie Elrond or Frodo as my mental picture as I read the books, if that makes sense. My imagination apparantely far exceeds current Hollywierd movie making technology...
I am so taken with Christophers reading of the Luthien/Beren love story. I am more impressed with Huan now as well, for some reason. I almost put on a new thread to argue that Huan (pronounced Hoo Awn - not Hawn - thanks Chris!) was a more powerfull / important entity than Gandalf. Think I should?