I don’t listen to as many audiobooks as I’d like to but I still flipped when I found out that Jim Dale was going to narrate the audio version of The Night Circus. For a few reasons, including the fact that he narrated the short-lived but beloved-by-me Pushing Daisies and also he was Barnum in Barnum and I was a clown (seriously) in a production of Barnum when I was in high school. (Seriously, it involved pink and yellow polkadots and I had pigtails, and is likely one of many reasons there are no clowns in my circus.)

He has the most fantastic storyteller voice. If you haven’t heard it, have a listen:

 

I love the audio of The Night Circus so much I sometimes want to rig my iPod at readings so Jim Dale can read instead of me. He does all the accents, while I avoid reading the sections with lots of dialogue.

(Jim also narrates all the Harry Potter audiobooks. You know, if you haven’t read Harry Potter or want to have someone re-read them to you. That’d be a fun June is Audiobook Month activity, I’m just sayin’.)

So, in summary: I can’t believe it’s June already and listening to books is like childhood bedtime stories all over again and if you haven’t listened to an audiobook in a while, it is a perfect summery month to do so.

 

Categories: miscellany

10 Comments

A Rever · June 1, 2012 at 1:53 pm

I’ve been listening to the Night circus for the past few weeks. I’ve got one CD left to go and almost don’t want it to end. I think this would make a fabulous TV series. I must say I love the way the mystery unfolds. It reminds me very much of the TV series Lost, in that you are not quite sure what is going on for most of the story but you are so gripped by the people and the description of the tents etc that you want to read (or in my case listen) further. Jim Dale has done a great job on the narration.

Cole · June 1, 2012 at 2:19 pm

I’ve never been one for listening to audio books or being read to. I love the idea in theory, but in reality my mind finds a tangent, wanders down stray paths, and by the time I find myself back on the main road, the reader has read so much that I hardly know how long it would take to get back to where they were when I wandered off. But listening to this clip has me re-thinking audio books. I love Jim’s voice (and also truly adored Pushing Daisies!) and was almost instantly drawn in. Must give this a whirl!

Jennifer · June 1, 2012 at 4:25 pm

I’m re-listening to Harry Potter right now! I would love to listen to The Night Circus on audiobook too… I’ll have to borrow the discs I got for my sister-in-law… It’s about time I reread The Night Circus anyway. :]

Marcheline · June 2, 2012 at 10:39 am

I love, love, love Jim Dale. Can’t say “love” enough where he’s concerned. You really scored big time here… I’ve listened to the entire Harry Potter series six or seven times now (after reading them in book form) and Jim Dale is MAGIC. Looking forward to listening to The Night Circus and hearing him again!

Tyrolin · June 4, 2012 at 8:09 am

Unfortunately with audiobooks, they put me straight to sleep. There’s something soothing about a calming voice reading a novel to you like that. I’ve always wanted Patrick Stewart to record my favourite books — as described by Ricky Gervais, he has a “rich, sexy voice”, haha.
That being said, Jim Dale is the perfect choice for this!
When’s the movie coming out?? 🙂

susanna · June 6, 2012 at 10:24 pm

Hey Erin, I’ve been meaning to write to your for months now. I read The Night Circus and LOVED it! It’s magical and so visual. I couldn’t put the book down – the result being dark circles under my eyes and a less than sharp mind that week – and then I decided that I had to reread the book in order to fully appreciate all the imagery that you created.

So now I’m listening to the book-on-cd version. My husband and I are big fans of Jim Dale, ever since we heard him narrate the Harry Potter books, and I was thrilled to discover that he’s also narrating your book. How awesome is that?!!

Anyway, just wanted to finally say hello and to tell you what a terrific job you did when you wrote The Night Circus. Thank you for putting this idea of yours out into the world, Erin.

Rebecca · June 7, 2012 at 3:06 pm

Just finished listening to the Night Circus a few minutes ago. Phenomenal book!!! ….read by my favorite, Jim Dale! Fabulous choice, by the way! I only found your story as I was finished listening to the HP series for the zillionth time and went searching for others narrated by Jim. I honestly don’t think I would have stumbled across this book on my own. I am so very glad I did! 🙂

Jenn Baker · June 11, 2012 at 12:05 pm

Pushing Daisies! Well hot damn! This sounds great (no pun intended).

Tara Benwell · June 15, 2012 at 11:34 am

I bought the eBook and hardcover version, and am now tempted to buy and study the audiobook thanks to this post. I love listening to books, but only treat myself once in a while because they cost so much more. After I listen to a good book I always know that it was worth it, though. I loved reading that you were a clown in your high school play. When you’re a kid, you just don’t realize how these experiences can play out later in life. Fascinating!

There’s more to life than babies | Betty Crotchitt · June 30, 2012 at 3:54 pm

[…] this magical story as I my imagination tried to keep up.  For a sneak peak of the audio, see this blog post by the […]

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