More Audio and Visual

[smallhobbit]

I've now listened to all the available Ngaio Marsh CDs while in the car.  I've tried various other CDs, but none have been particularly exciting.  There were some Agatha Christie short story dramatisations, but I didn't realise they were modern versions, and I didn't care for them.  I'm currently listening to some Sexton Blake short stories - because the company I ordered the Christie from sent me Blake by mistake and didn't want it back.  It's very gung-ho, but passes the time on the journey across town to visit my mother.  I've just ordered a couple of Margery Allingham Campion stories which hopefully will play their part in the traffic.

I'm still working my way through Audible's collection of stories read by Richard Armitage.  I've enjoyed the two Joy Ellis stories 'The Murderer's Son' and 'The Fourth Friend'.  I listened to Jeffrey Archer's 'Heads You Win' (probably the only way I'd encounter one of his stories), and it was ideal for when lying in bed with a heavy cold.  And also C J Tudor's 'The Taking of Annie Thorne' which was okay but really my sort of thing.  On my journey back from holiday on the coach I must have listened to about six hours worth of audio books, every so often swapping between two stories, so a definite plus.

And currently I have a subscription to Stitcher because they are broadcasting a weekly podcast of Wolverine: The Lost Trail, with RA as Wolverine.  Such devotion.  In fact, I'm really enjoying it, as a gripping story well told.  I put my headphones on (I listen on my phone), shut my eyes and I can see it all.  It's difficult to explain, but to me, although it's an audio experience, it's very visual.

I've hardly watched television for the last couple of months.  More4 are now showing Season 2 of Berlin Station, but so far I haven't liked it as much as Season 1.  I'll continue to watch, although since it's not broadcast to past 10pm, half the time I watch it on catch up (which eliminates the adverts as well).

And, thanks to a recommendation from moth2fic I've ordered the DVD of 'Desperate Romantics'.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Do you think Armitage is a good narrator? I mean, I know you're probably biased about his voice :) but in terms of narrating, does he do a good job?

Yes, I only listen to unabridged readings but on the Youtube there are tons of BBC Drama versions of the same titles, so I have to read carefully.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, even with my bias, I do think he's a good narrator. I like the way he captures the different characters' voices.

[innie_darling]

Have you listened to RA narrate Georgette Heyer? He is a scream.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, I have all three of them on CD (I was given an Amazon voucher when I left a job, and it seemed the perfect use for it!)

[innie_darling]

Oh, I only know the one in which the heroine, Horatia, has a stammer - I think it's called A Convenient Marriage. What are the other two? I might need to beg for those if you say The Corinthian or especially The Talisman Ring.

[smallhobbit]

Sorry not those but Venetia and Sylvester. He makes the perfect hero of the stories!

[luthienberen]

I find audio CDs are hit and miss as well, since it can be quite personal to the listener. I am glad that you have enjoyed the Ngaio Marsh CDs.

Richard Armitage has read books on Audible? I liked him as Thorin, he has an excellent voice so I can imagine he reads the parts well.

How do you find listening to stories on your phone? I have yet to try. Still working from CDs (yes I am slowly catching up with technology lol)! :D

[smallhobbit]

A couple of the Ngaio Marsh ones had a different narrator (most were either Benedict Cumberbatch or Anton Lesser) and he was dreadful, but I wanted to listen to all I could.

Yes, RA has read several books and I would thoroughly recommend them (even though some might say I was biased!)

I find it easy listening on my phone - especially when I'm using headphones (like on a coach/train or late at night). I just have to watch how much I've got downloaded at any one time.

[luthienberen]

How was Benedict Cumberbatch as a narrator?

I will have to check which books RA has narrated, it would be nice to have books to listen to when travelling or at home. (Biased is fine for me ha!)

[smallhobbit]

BC is a good narrator - he captures the voices very well.

RA has narrated a few different types of book, so you should find something you like.

[solosundance]

RA has a huge array of narrations on Audible, I didn't realise! I've only listened to two - David Copperfield, which is great although it always takes me awhile to 'tune in' to hunky, deep-voiced men being very girlish characters... And The Chimes, also Dickens. I do love his voice. (RA, not Dickens, obvs). Jenny Agutter is another voice I can listen to very easily, while some voices (like Miriam Margolyes for example), put my teeth on edge - even though I understand that their narrations are very skillful.

I know what you mean about the audio/visual experience. Pictures in the mind can be so vivid.

[smallhobbit]

I know - it makes me very happy ;) I've listened to The Chimes, but haven't bothered with David Copperfield, because it's not a book I'm keen on.

I shall have to start branching out to other readers, but for the moment I'm quite happy listening to RA.

[st_aurafina]

I listened to the first season of the Wolverine series - The Long Night - and Richard Armitage was a really great Wolverine.

[smallhobbit]

There's more of him in The Lost Trail and he's just as good. There are two episodes to go and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens, but also don't want it to finish.

[moth2fic]

I hope you enjoy Desperate Romantics. I adored it.

[smallhobbit]

All I have to do now is find the time to watch it!

[moth2fic]

Watch in 30 minute sections - it will keep you going for ages!!

[smallhobbit]

I was thinking of doing that after half term (when we're away) - I'm at home at lunchtime two days a week and I enjoy having something to watch then.