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A Well-Read Story Captures The Listener's AttentionNov 17 '02 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Audio books are great for people who have tired eyes, insomnia or lack of time. However, don't ever give up reading books in place of listening to audios.
I was asked by a customer in a store the other day. "Should I listen to audio books? My eyes get so tired sometimes when I read a book." Of course this got me into a long conversation with him as I had to express my opinion about the way an audio book should be read. I love a good book to read but when I'm very sleepy and can't sleep, I turn to an audio book. An audio book is a cassette where a person tells the story. Well-read audio books where the reader expresses themselves in their voices can be both a comfort and delight at the same time. I don't have a cassette player in my car but I don't think I would listen to a story for the first time while I'm driving anyway, especially if the reader shows expression in their story. If no expression than I might fall asleep behind the wheel. The first time I listen to an audio book that really captures my attention would have to be when I have time to really listen to it at home. I have two very favorite audio books that I have listened to over and over because they are read so well. One is called "The Christmas Tree" (my very first audio book) written by Julie Salamon and read by David Birney. The other is called "The Angel Doll" written by Jerry Bledsoe and read by J. Charles. In "The Christmas Tree" David Birney expresses himself so beautifully. Each person involved in the story has a different voice disguised by David Birney to sound like the person is actually talking. In the "The Angel Doll" J. Charles does the same. To me, that is the perfect way to read a story. "The Christmas Tree" is about a nun who is greeted by an horticulturist working as a chief gardener of Rockefeller Center named Jessie King, who stops by one day at the convent. He had recently been on a helicopter and spotted the perfect tree for that year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. The nun, Sister Anthony (how she got that name will reveal itself later in the story if you listen to it, but I'm not going to tell) reminisces back to her childhood telling Jessie her story about how she and that particular tree grew up together. She starts off by asking "Why my Tree?" she asks in an almost child-like innocent voice, "There are many trees here for you to choose from, why do you pick mine?" David Birney does a splendid job of taking on Sister Anthony's sweet voice. This is the beginning of a friendship between a nun and and a young horticulturist that will last for many years. It is a very beautiful and touching story with sprinkles of humor and well read and well expressed. I came across it one Christmas season while browsing through Barnes& Noble book store and thought I would take the chance and buy it. I'm glad I did. "The Angel Doll" read by J. Charles is another beautiful story that really touches your heart. It is about two ten- year- old North Carolina boys who become friends back in the 1950's while applying for a position delivering newspapers and a little girl named Sandy who has polio and longs for an angel doll. Back in the 50's angel dolls were unheard of but the boys set out to find one and on their adventures they discover the beauty of giving and its rewards. One of the boys in the story, now a grown man, is telling the story about his friend and the little girl. J.Charles expresses himself quite well that it almost feels like you are right there in the story. The story is non-fiction (I know, I called the toll-free number and was told) but I almost think it really happened and the names were just changed. The author, Jerry Bledsoe (who usually writes detective books that I have read) wrote it so well and J. Charles is, as I mentioned, a terrific reader. Although this audio book story has its sad parts, its ending makes the listener feel very satisfied due to J. Charles' unique way of telling the story. He too, Like David Birney, expresses each character in the story remarkably well. The story itself would have been ruined if the person reading it failed to express himself to actually become each of the characters. There are some audio books where the reader is nothing but a monotonous drag. This is the kind of reading that has the same tone throughout the story and never shows any kind of feeling at all. The listener needs to hear expression to really enjoy a story. My opinion of the audio book "A Message In A Bottle" is read without any expression. I also listened to "Natasha, The Story Of Natalie Wood" and that story is rushed so fast that I had to listen to the entire set of tapes many times to get the story straight. I have 2 other audio cassettes that are not stories. They are motivational audios. One is "You'll See It When You Believe It" by Dr. Wayne Dyer and "Living Without Limits" by Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer. These provocative thinkers share their wisdom of life before a live audience. Both audio books are motivational with touches of humor and both speakers are well known doctors. My opinion is that if you don't have the time to read a story that you want to read, try the audio books and if you enjoy the speaking voices and the expression of the readers, you'll most certainly enjoy the story. I guarantee that. However one word from a lover of books Don't make this a habit. Reading a book is great for your moral so don't give up books altogether. Should I read audio books? I would say definitely but do check out the narrator. Before purchasing an audio book, try renting it from the library first. That way no money will be lost.  |
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