Is it Worth Buying a Harry Potter Audio Book?
Sunday, December 30th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Recently, a friend of mine was exasperated by her 11-year old daughter who was insisting that she be bought a Harry Potter audio book (which included the latest installments: “The Half-Blood prince” and “The Deathly Hallows”). The reason for my friend’s despair was that she had just bought the hard-bound copy AND had to queue from 5am to get it! Frustrating or what?
What’s the point of a Harry Potter audio book when you’ve already read the book, my friend had asked her daughter who simply replied that the book and the audio-book were two different things. The only thing different about them is that the Harry Potter audio book costs a lot more although both are beginning to be such big headaches my friend retorted.
The mania for all things Harry Potter has a lot of parents in bewildered and confused. The release of the final book worldwide created an unheard-of frenzy with millions of people lining up at book stores even the day before the novel was set to be released simultaneously. Although most of Potter novels have been heavily discounted, the effort to acquire one has gotten on the nerves of some parents who if given a choice, would gladly not go through the whole experience again.
With a Harry Potter audio book retailing in some outlets at almost $70, one thing parents would refuse to face again is the prospect of shelling out more money for something their kids already have, although in a different format and medium. What also adds to the cost is that each book of the series averages twelve or more CDs and is not really practical to offer as a complete set. Parents are even aghast that a Harry Potter audio book even contributes to the messiness that often characterizes the life and habits of its pre-teenage and teenage readers.
There are CDs strewn all over her room and in the car, my friend complains that had she known, she wouldn’t have consented to buying a Harry Potter audio book in the first place.
Compliments for the Harry Potter Audio Book
But if there are critics, there are also fans that have fallen in love with the series in its audio book format. Many established critics have lavished praise on the audio book’s technical polish, saying that the quality has brought listening to a new level. Indeed, the book’s author, J.K. Rowling (who has creative control over everything related to her creation) has obviously spared no expense on the production of the Harry Potter audio book.
Jim Dale is the narrator and he holds a Grammy, Tony, Audie and Drama Desk award for his narration work. He also has an Academy Award nomination. Quite a pedigree!
Some parents believe that the audio books have helped children with reading problems and disabilities. Kids inclined towards the dramatic arts also find the audio books beneficial in developing certain crucial skills:
1. Correct pronunciation.
2. The development of a British accent!
3. Acting skills.
Ultimately, parents must make up their own mind and not be influenced by their children or friends. At the end of the day, you must decide what is best for the entire family.
