25 May 2005
Loud, Proud, Unabridged: It Is Too Reading!

I know Kris and I have certainly enjoyed a great many audio books on long car trips. They make the time go by so much faster. And some writings were meant to be heard rather than read, if that makes any sense. Beowulf is an epic poem, which is of course supposed to be recited.

In a more modern vein, The Silmarillion is a wonderful book, but an even better audio book. This is prose that is often difficult, awkward and seemingly repetitive when read, but suddenly springs to life when listened to as audio. No more struggles with antique spellings and foreign pronunciations - the tale shines so much brighter that it's hard to believe it's the same text.

The popularity of audio books is redefining the notion of reading, which, for centuries, has been centered on the written word.

(link) [NYT > Home Page]

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