After listening to a few clips of The Silmarillion narrated by Andy Serkis, I am interested in seeing if I could actually get used to listening to audiobooks. I usually can’t focus enough on audio alone to keep up with a book but now I’m thinking it might be more of a narration quality thing than anything else.
What are your suggestions for other audiobooks with great or at least similar narration as this new version of The Silmarillion?
I love the Joe Abercrombie books narrated by Steven Pacey. Recommend them to anyone who likes dark fantasy.
Steven Pacey is a true talent. He is a man of a thousand voices. The major characters are all so unique and distinct but even the minor characters all feel like individual people. Pacey does such a wonderful job bringing the world of The First Law series to life.
The discworld series narrated by Nigel Planer and Stephen Briggs are EXCELLENT
Others have given great suggestions for good narrators but I just want to add that audiobooks work best for me when I’m doing something else to keep busy. I have a job that doesn’t require much brain power or interacting with people so I can use earbuds at work and that’s my favorite time to listen to audiobooks, I got through the three body problem in 2 days and over the last 2 days I’ve gotten 3/4 of the way through the second book. I’ve also gone through the whole series of The Expanse on audiobook as well.
Give em a shot when you’re doing tedious chores or out for a walk, or at work if you have a job that allows it. I’ve heard of others that like listening to audiobooks while driving but I’ve never done that. I’ve tried listening to audiobooks without doing anything else and my mind wanders to much, and if I try to read along with a book in my hands then I tend to read to fast to keep up with the narration and it just ends up being a distraction.
Project Hail Mary read by Ray Porter is amazing!
My absolute favorite audiobook narrator is the late Frank Muller. I’m currently listening to his narration of Interview With The Vampire and it’s incredible how well he’s able to convey the tone and atmosphere of the story.
I first encountered him when I was listening to the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. When I discovered that (due to his passing) the series switched narrators after the fourth book, I considered switching to the print copies rather than hear someone else narrate those books. I’m glad I didn’t, because George Guidall did a very good job finishing up the series, but no one can quite compare to Frank Muller.
Voice is the most important factor for audiobooks.
One narrator with a great voice is Tom Parker (aka Grover Gardner).
World War Z is fantastic as an audiobook. If you’re not familiar, it’s written as a set of interviews of people who lived through a zombie war. The author, Max Brooks, voices the narrator/journalist and actors like Alan Alda, Mark Hamill, Carl and Rob Reiner voice the various interviewees. Mark Hamill doing the Battle of Yonkers is a highlight.
If you can find it, C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” narrated by John Cleese is an experience.
Wayne June has excellent readings of Lovecraft’s works.
Andy Serkins also narrated Lord of the rings and the hobbit. So that’s a place to start too. Personally I think Marc Thompson is great. He narrates tons of Star Wars audiobooks, if that’s interesting for you.
I have a hard time recommending a specific narrator, as it (for me) totally depends on the book.
Jonathan Keeble is great. I loved his reading of the Saxon Stories series (The Last Kingdom). I’m currently listening to the Warhammer Gotrek & Felix series, which he brings his great range of voices to as well.
Bonus note: He voiced Maliketh in Elden Ring and Lord Rydell in the Demon’s Souls remake.
Almost anything by Ray Porter is incredibly well read and well produced. NOS4A2 read by Kate Mulgrew is solid.
I think anything narrated by Julia Whelan is great. She has a beautiful voice, and does an amazing job of making each character have a unique voice. Both male and female characters which a lot of audio book narrators struggle with. It’s really impressive.
My favourites are Stephen Fry and Michael Kramer.
Have listened to most of the ‘Cradle’ series by Will Wight, narrated by Travis Baldree. He does an excellent job.
