audiobooks us vs. uk - dale vs fry

[serenadust]

No: HPFGUIDX 111703

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Miller, Gina (JIS)" 
<ginamiller at j...> wrote:
> I am going to re-read the series. I live in the US so I have 
previously only
> listened to the Jim Dale versions. Could someone tell me if they 
think one
> is better than the other and what the differences are? I am sure 
the wording
> is different but what about accents and general mood of the book? 
I would
> love both UK and US opinions from people that have heard both! Or 
if you are
> from somewhere else and read listened to both sets. 


I'm American but I have both versions.  I had enjoyed the Jim Dale 
recordings well enough, but was bothered enough by some of his 
readings (specifically the final scene between Harry and the 
Dursleys in POA) to order some of the Stephen Fry cds.  Once I heard 
the Fry versions, I found that I just didn't want to listen to the  
Dale recordings anymore.  I think that Dale's version is 
more "colorful", and may well appeal to children more, thanks to his 
very exaggerated characterizations.  However for me, Mr. Fry really 
captures the flavor and dry humor of the books in a way that seems 
more in the spirit of the stories, and he never overplays.

It's probably mostly a matter of personal taste, though.  I must 
admit that I am partially influenced by having read somewhere that 
Fry was JKR's first choice when the matter of recording the books 
arose.  IMO, she really knew exactly what approach would reflect the 
tone of her work, and I think that Fry gets it just right.

Jo Serenadust