The Stephen Fry versions of the Potter books.

[subtle_simmer]

No: HPFGUIDX 192154

> Charla:
> Both Stephen Fry and Jim Dale(both British) are audio book readers
> for JKR books.  Both are great; I too live in Canada.  I find some
> of the changes made for American readers rather loses the British
> feel that too is so charming about the wizard world. <snip>

subtle_simmer:
I wanted to add my .02 to this discussion.  I'm a bit "Potter
obsessed" even now.  I have all the books in both the U.S. and U.K.
editions and all of them in both Jim Dale and Stephen Fry's audiobook
editions.

There are things I love about all of them.

However - if I were to make a recommendation for just one of the two
audio versions, I would have to say I prefer Jim Dale's.  Even though
there are a few terms 'lost in translation' - trainers vs sneakers,
jumper vs sweater and so on, Jim Dale does a better job, over-all,
with the vocals in my opinion.  Indeed, it's not just my opinion - he
won a Guinness Book of World Records award for the most unique voices
by one person for his reading of Order of the Phoenix, where he
created (I believe - might be off on the number) 110 distinct voices.

What's amazing to me is that he carries those voices through each of
the seven books.  Arthur Weasley is instantly identifiable as Arthur
Weasley (except for one accidental glitch-spot in book 5 where he
speaks one sentence in Vernon Dursley's voice).  Phineas Nigellus
also wasn't quite 'right' from book 5 to book 7, but I think only a
true obsessive would notice that.  Over all, I find that it greatly
enhances the listening experience and really makes it come to life.

Additionally, whenever there is a 'song' in the book, Jim Dale makes
up a tune and sings it!!  (Or I suppose the production editors made
up the tune and then he sings it?)  The Hogwarts song, Harry's
singing valentine, Weasley is our King - it's great.  Stephen Fry
just reads those.

Stephen also does vocal variations, but his are not as clearly
distinct as Jim Dale's.  His voice is naturally a bit deeper or
something, there is not as broad of a range.  He doesn't sing
anything.

However, as a die-hard Snape fan, I think Stephen's "Snape" voice is
better than Jim's and his Lucius Malfoy is much more suave. :)

I do love them both, but if I could only have one to my 'stranded
desert island', it would be Jim Dale's.