from the library. Everyone seems to rave about it and, even though I rarely listen to audiobooks (really just Harry Potter stories on road trips), I decided to give it a try. I loved the book when I read it last year so I thought it would be something nice to put on while I blogged and surfed the web. Well, things didn't go quite as planned.I adore Neil Gaiman's voice and some of his voices in this reading are quite entertaining. His Miss Lupescu is the best and Scarlett's little Scottish accent is quite cute! However, I just couldn't keep my mind on the story. I caught bits and pieces but had to keep reminding myself to really listen. I was doing a bit better by the last disc or two but still wasn't quite following along. I'm normally a pretty good multi-tasker but I think that books are something that require my whole attention, whether they're written or spoken.
I still played the entire story and it has whet my appetite to revisit my copy of the book. Sadly, though, I think it will be a while before I try an audiobook again. I need a commute or something!
Finding that Neil Gaiman demands my full attention,
K
I never give my full attention to audiobooks, which is why I don't really listen to them. My mind wanders onto different tracks and then I can't get back to the last bit I listened to. It's a shame because I love Neil Gaiman and hear nice things about audiobooks of all his books.
ReplyDeleteI've found I really have to love the narrator to get into an audiobook. Though that's definitely not a problem with Neil Gaiman! I've listened to several of his books, just because his narration is so perfect. I tend to listen to audiobooks around the house, since I don't really have a commute either. They make cleaning and cooking and the like much more pleasant, I find. I do occasionally drift off, but usually not for long enough to miss something vital.
ReplyDeleteI really loved this audio and I am sorry you found it hard to listen to. I do understand what you mean about audiobooks and needing a commute I do my best listening when I am driving. I also like listening to audiobooks when I am out walking.
ReplyDeleteI understand about the mind wandering syndrome when listening to an audiobook, commuting and cleaning the house has certainly helped me to focus better.
ReplyDeleteGaiman's narration is fabulous, I think his is one of the best that I have heard. Too bad that you could not throughly enjoy it.
Strangely, the only audiobook I've had a huge success in listening to for long stretyches of time is Milton's Paradise Lost, partly because Milton was blind when he wrote it, so could only judge it by listening to it, and partly because it sounds wonderful when read by a good actor - I suspect that poetry works so much better than any active story.
ReplyDeleteI can concentrate on other audiobooks in short bursts, up to 30 minutes, but any longer and I start missing bits.
I can't pay attention to audio books either ... unless I listen to them when I exercise or walk .. and we know how often I do that!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I retain anything when I listen to audiobooks.
ReplyDeleteJenny - Exactly my experience. :)
ReplyDeleteErin - The narration was wonderful. I just couldn't keep my mind from wandering.
Zee - Yes, I definitely need some time when it's somewhat impossible for distractions to pop up.
Ibeeeg - I still appreciated Gaiman's narration -- I just didn't catch much of the story!
Tracy - Interesting!
Jenners - Haha! Yes, I can't commit to listening when I walk because, well, yeah.
Kailana - I wonder how it would have been with this one if I hadn't read the book already. Would I have paid attention more because it was new or even less because it wouldn't have been familiar.
While I do have the problem of my mind wandering a bit while listening to audio tapes, this one did hold my attention. It would be a good one to listen to in the car to get the kids in the spirit of Halloween. When you are in the car, you are much more captive and attentive audience!
ReplyDelete-Shannon
http://www.storysnoops.com
Shannon - Definitely! Our problem is just that we don't spend that much time in the car. School is less than five minutes away and we aren't in any activities right now. What a mood setter though!
ReplyDeleteI was listening to a lot of audio books until the last month or so. I seem to have so much on my mind lately that even my commute, the gears in my brain are going a mile a minute and I simply can't concentrate on the book at hand. I'm wondering if I need to pop in a Harry Potter to get me back in the mood?!? :)
ReplyDeleteTif - I'm regretting passing on or selling each of our HP audiobooks after we listened to them. They were awesome for road trips!
ReplyDeleteCompletely agreed!!! Jim Dale is an amazing narrator!!! :)
ReplyDelete