swimmermom3 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Is there a stellar audio version of Moby Dick that does the novel justice, especially one that captures Melville's humor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 It is only the opening lines, but you must check out Orson Wells reading Moby Dick: http://www.openculture.com/2010/03/orson_welles_reads_moby_dick.html Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Whatever you do, do not...I repeat DO NOT...listen to the LibraVox version. *Shutter* Abomination! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 The one from Naxos is also quite bad. Over the top bad theatricality. The one that I have read very good reviews of is the reading by Frank Muller. I have never been able to find a preview on-line. Our library system has it. Something to add to my list. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennW in SoCal Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Hi Lisa!! YES! And best of all it is on sale now at audible.com. My ds and I listened to it last year, and what I love about the audio recording is how his narration style changes with the prose. I went into it not knowing that large, huge, erm...whale sized chunks of the book are tedious description of whales and whaling. It would be a tough read, but the audio was captivating. Give yourself a while to listen to it -- it is 24 hours long!! Moby Dick Also, there is a new book out about reading Moby Dick that you might want to look at after reading it. Here's a review that KarenAnne sent me last week. Why Read Moby Dick? Have fun with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennW in SoCal Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Orson Wells reading the opening lines is very cool indeed. But as I listened I started thinking of just how long the audio version of the entire book would be if he were to have recorded the whole thing with..........all.............those dramatic ...........pauses:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Orson Wells reading the opening lines is very cool indeed. But as I listened I started thinking of just how long the audio version of the entire book would be if he were to have recorded the whole thing with..........all.............those dramatic ...........pauses:D I...would...make...the...time...to....listen :D Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 I finally found an audio portion of Frank Muller reading Moby Dick on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKPyDgdMK94&feature=youtube_gdata_player He is a very competent reader, and there is no false theatricality, but the reading is "rushed." Why? It is the anti-Orson Wells. Unfortunately at this pace it is difficult to savor the genius of the work. It is the best (complete) recording I've heard yet, but not ideal. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennW in SoCal Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Have you heard the Anthony Heald recording? I really appreciated his performance, not in comparison to other Moby Dick readers but in comparison to the many other audio books I've listened to. I probably picked his out in the audible.com line up of Moby Dicks after comparing the sample recordings of all the different versions. It is so fascinating how different each reader is, and how much time difference there is in the final product! Did you know the San Diego Opera will be doing an operatic production of Moby Dick? In February, in fact. It is odd, though, there is no Ishmael -- the character is called Greenhorn. Moby Dick, the opera! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Have you heard the Anthony Heald recording? No. Is there a preview anywhere? It is so fascinating how different each reader is, and how much time difference there is in the final product! That's for sure. Did you know the San Diego Opera will be doing an operatic production of Moby Dick? In February, in fact. It is odd, though, there is no Ishmael -- the character is called Greenhorn. Moby Dick, the opera! I had heard it was coming, but no Ishmael? Weird! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Here is another YouTube clip of Orson Wells reading another selection of Moby Dick. This give me the tingles :D bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Brilliant stuff. I've always believed such intesne prose (ok, *pausing*) is much wasted on 9th graders and such. These young folks too often grow up believing there is nothing there for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Brilliant stuff. I've always believed such intesne prose (ok, *pausing*) is much wasted on 9th graders and such. These young folks too often grow up believing there is nothing there for them. As a special treat for you...here's Orson Wells giving the Father Mapples sermon from the John Houston version of Moby Dick. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Here is another YouTube clip of Orson Wells reading another selection of Moby Dick. This give me the tingles :D bill I liked it and then he says, "cut." so abruptly. hehehehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I am currently listening to the Anthony Heald version on playaway. I find it to be a rather decent version. BEfore I got it I had heard it was the best version to get to I had searched for it through interlibrary loan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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