Here’s a summary of the provided content, along with key takeaways and properly formatted paragraphs:
Key Takeaways:
- Audible continues its tradition of producing high-quality, star-studded audio adaptations of popular novels, this time focusing on a younger audience with "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone."
- The adaptation boasts a strong cast, including Cush Jumbo as narrator, Hugh Laurie as Dumbledore, Michelle Gomez as McGonagall, Riz Ahmed as Snape, and Matthew Macfadyen as Voldemort.
- Despite an upcoming TV adaptation, the audiobook offers a fresh and enjoyable experience, thanks to excellent sound design and lively performances.
- The review also highlights two other noteworthy audiobooks: "I Want to Talk to You: And Other Conversations" by Diana Evans and "The Quiet Ear" by Raymond Antrobus.
Summary:
Audible, known for its lavish and star-studded adaptations of classic novels leading up to the Christmas season, has set its sights on younger listeners this year with a new, full-cast recording of J.K. Rowling’s "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone." This first installment in the beloved Harry Potter series introduces the orphaned Harry, relegated to a cupboard under the stairs, as he discovers his magical heritage and his impending attendance at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The audiobook features a notable cast, with Cush Jumbo ("The Good Wife") serving as the narrator, guiding listeners through the story. Joining her are Hugh Laurie, embodying the wise and whimsical Albus Dumbledore; Michelle Gomez, who delivers a commanding Professor McGonagall; Riz Ahmed, lending his voice to the complex and enigmatic Professor Snape; Mark Addy, as the gentle giant Hagrid; Matthew Macfadyen, portraying the dark and formidable Lord Voldemort; and Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton, stepping into the roles of the young wizards Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively.
Given the upcoming television adaptation of the Harry Potter series courtesy of HBO, the release of a new audiobook might seem somewhat redundant. However, this unabridged version of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" proves to be a delightful and worthwhile experience. The production is lively, well-paced, and brings a fresh perspective to the familiar story. Michelle Gomez’s portrayal of Professor McGonagall is especially notable, proving to be a strong match to the well known performance done by Maggie Smith in the movies.
Hugh Laurie’s portrayal of Dumbledore is also a highlight, capturing the character’s blend of wisdom and playful mischief. As is customary with these large-scale Audible productions, the sound design is exceptional. Listeners are treated to immersive auditory experiences, such as the whoosh of an owl landing and the rhythmic chugging and whistling of the Hogwarts Express as it travels through the countryside, transporting Harry and his friends on their magical journey. The audiobook of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" runs for 8 hours and 41 minutes and is available via Audible.
The article also briefly mentions two other audiobooks for further listening. "I Want to Talk to You: And Other Conversations" by Diana Evans, published by Penguin Audio and lasting 8 hours and 30 minutes, is a collection of 30 nonfiction pieces from the past 20 years by the author of "Ordinary People." These features and essays, originally published in outlets like Pride and Time magazine, explore themes of literature, music, friendship, and race.
Finally, "The Quiet Ear" by Raymond Antrobus, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson and lasting 6 hours and 21 minutes, is a revealing and lyrical memoir by the British poet. It examines race, deafness, and identity through personal stories interwoven with accounts of pioneering teachers and artists who have navigated hearing loss.
