Read or Listen?

[Elmo]

I love the BBC's 'Fall of Gil-Galad'. Everything else in my opinion is just dumbed down Tolkien. Thereore every else is not worthy a comparison.

[Nogrod]

Even if it has been said here already, I think the difference between a "dramatisation" or an "adaption" should be clearly differentiated from "reading the book aloud".

Dramatisations etc. are another thing; they are artistic products made by someone and should be assessed with different standards - as not the real thing but versions or interpretations of it, like the movies or other adaptations.

But reading the book aloud, word by word, being present in the situation (or listening them on a CD / mp3 / whatever - where it is read but not "acted" by someone) is a different thing.

Tolkien's books are stories to be read aloud like the stories of old he was imitating - even if they are clearly products of the twentieth century prose. But nevertheless. They are stories to be read by a campfire, as bedtime-stories... Reading them alone and quietly by oneself is just a poor substitute for the real thing.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

But reading the book aloud, word by word, being present in the situation (or listening them on a CD / mp3 / whatever - where it is read but not "acted" by someone) is a different thing.

Tolkien's books are stories to be read aloud like the stories of old he was imitating - even if they are clearly products of the twentieth century prose. But nevertheless. They are stories to be read by a campfire, as bedtime-stories... Reading them alone and quietly by oneself is just a poor substitute for the real thing.

Whereas agreeing with what you say, I disagree. (Ha! Lovely ) I mean, you are right about the storytelling (well, I said that very thing already above), but I disagree with the last sentence. The invention of reading and literacy for majority of people makes it possible for you to read elsewhere than just in the circle around the fireplace with the old tribal bard narrating. It creates options for crawling into your private corner and reading the book in your own self-centered world, closing yourself completely against the outside. However it also creates options for letting your personal imagination loose to its utmost heights, unhindered by the reader's performance. With the storytelling, only the storyteller has the very personal contact with the tale, the others' experience is only transmitted. The reader has the option to and bestow his feelings (in a limited way) upon the others, but denies the others a part in their own imagination, and also things like the management of the time and way of reading (like for example TGEW said).

And by the way, I also believe it is of a big difference to listen to a book being read aloud by someone sitting next to you and on a recording. In this way, the recording actually goes far far far lower on score for me than the reading. The "live" thing makes space for contact, feedback, from both the audience and the narrator (like gasps from the audience when Frodo is suddenly being attacked - the image of Bilbo from the movies telling the hobbit kids about the trolls comes to my mind - and the possible adjustments of the narrator's way of reading based on the audience's reactions or mood). And it is experiencing the story in a communion, passing through it together. With the narrator's voice on a CD you are actually again just alone, but even without the possibility to let your imagination completely loose as you have in reading yourself.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

The "live" thing makes space for contact, feedback, from both the audience and the narrator (like gasps from the audience when Frodo is suddenly being attacked - the image of Bilbo from the movies telling the hobbit kids about the trolls comes to my mind - and the possible adjustments of the narrator's way of reading based on the audience's reactions or mood). And it is experiencing the story in a communion, passing through it together. With the narrator's voice on a CD you are actually again just alone, but even without the possibility to let your imagination completely loose as you have in reading yourself.

This makes me think of my little brother. I am reading The Hobbit to him and every paragraph he has something to say or to ask. Mostly about Bombur, because that's his favourite. He will stop me and say "Who is Beorn?" or "Those goblins were funny!" Since I am reading to him I can stop and answer his question or have a mini conversation with him on the subject that he wants to know about. Also, I can read faster or slower if I see he is getting bored with a particular part or I see that he needs to get a better grip on what's being said. It works out better that way, even though I am not the best out-loud reader.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Reading them alone and quietly by oneself is just a poor substitute for the real thing.

I'd have to disagree with that also. There is something to be said for listening to a live reading, but a peaceful, solitary read allows me to get much more into the story. It's more of an escape that way, if I don't have to pay attention to a reader. I can disregard the real world entirely and become totally immersed.

[Son of Númenor]

I used to read The Silmarillion aloud to my family by the fireside in the evenings. We got through the book in a couple of months, and I really enjoyed the experience. I agree with Esty that Middle-earth was made to be heard! Eä!

Can someone recommend a good audio version of LotR, preferably un-dramatized? I have never thought to use this medium, but perhaps it will be good this coming winter (my preferred season for reading the trilogy), as I'll have so much other reading to do for school that my brain will do well by relaxing and letting someone else do the work of reading my favorite book to me.

[mormegil]

Originally Posted by Son of Númenor

Can someone recommend a good audio version of LotR, preferably un-dramatized? I have never thought to use this medium, but perhaps it will be good this coming winter (my preferred season for reading the trilogy), as I'll have so much other reading to do for school that my brain will do well by relaxing and letting someone else do the work of reading my favorite book to me.

I checked it out from the library but it was Robert Inglis who read it, he really did a good job with the voices. Here is a link to Amazon that may work.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lord-Rings-C.../dp/0007141327

[Guinevere]

If I have time, I actually prefer reading, for the same reasons that Legate and Inziladun gave. I can read at my own pacing, can go back and reread if necessary (for better comprehension or special relish of favourite passages) and can immerse much better in the story.
On the other hand, Tolkien's wonderful language fairly calls out to be read aloud - I often catch myself moving silently my lips while reading.

Several years ago I saw an unabridged Audiobook of the Lord of the Rings (read by Rob Inglis) in my English Book shop, but I wasn't sure if the narrator's voice and performance would be to my liking. It seemed an awful lot of money for buying "a pig in a poke"!
Well, after listening to some samples on YouTube of Rob Inglis reading from the Hobbit I finally made up my mind and ordered the LotR Audiobook.

I am not disappointed - Mr.Inglis really does an excellent job, even with the songs!

I mostly listen to the CD's while ironing or doing other household chores that are not noisy and don't require too much concentration. I am actually looking forward to such work now!

[xMellrynxMaidenx]

I prefer to read as well. I already have the character's voices pegged out in my mind, and if I tried to listen to it and the actor's voice isn't the same as the voice in my mind, then the two clash and I end up unable to follow along with the rest of the story. Aside from that, I would fall asleep if I listened to it. Our English teacher, when I was in my Jr. year, played Beowulf on tape for us...I fell alseep and snored, and quite loudly too might I add, through the entire thing. I just enjoyed reading it more and in general enjoy reading anything.