Read or Listen? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Guinevere · 11-06-2010, 05:28 PM

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!

View Poll Results: Read or Listen
Read	22	75.86%
Listen	6	20.69%
Read while listening	0	0%
Watch the movie	1	3.45%
Voters: 29. You may not vote on this poll

11-06-2010, 05:28 PM	#21
Guinevere Banshee of Camelot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 5,830	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! __________________ Yes! "wish-fulfilment dreams" we spin to cheat our timid hearts, and ugly Fact defeat! Last edited by Guinevere; 11-06-2010 at 05:32 PM.