"It" On Audio Book

[Robert Gray]

I, for one, would really like "It" released on audio book. Is there any chance of that happening in the near future?

[Shadowtron]

I've asked this question before. I believe the response at the time was that the book was just too long for an audio recording. Now with Under the Dome coming out in an unabridged audio version, the theory that IT is too long kinda goes out the window. Fingers crossed that the publishers come to their sense and get IT on CD.

[Robert Gray]

The problem with audio book recordings is 1. They don't convert them to MP3 format which would vastly decrease the size and number of disks required. They also insist on recording them at an extreme high quality as if they were classical music. Audio books aren't music and don't require audio perfection, only clarity. I bought all three unabridged books of the Lord of the Rings, ripped them and burned myself a single disk for my car. All three books fit just fine on a single CD. I payed for them so I'm ethically entitled to make a copy for my own use.

[Shadowtron]

The problem with audio book recordings is 1. They don't convert them to MP3 format which would vastly decrease the size and number of disks required. They also insist on recording them at an extreme high quality as if they were classical music. Audio books aren't music and don't require audio perfection, only clarity. I bought all three unabridged books of the Lord of the Rings, ripped them and burned myself a single disk for my car. All three books fit just fine on a single CD. I payed for them so I'm ethically entitled to make a copy for my own use.

Audible.com is also a good source for MP3 formatted audio books. Whatever the format, I'm hoping IT hits audio soon. Be nice taking Pennywise along with me on my daily commute. :laugh:

[bryantburnette]

Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm too lazy to look it up), but doesn't Amazon have an audio version of It available for pre-order?

[Moderator]

No, it's not true. There is no mass market audio edition of IT available now or for pre-order.

[bryantburnette]

Amazon.com begs to differ with you.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014242787X/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

And they do so at a rather reasonable price.

[Edward Cantor Dean]

I had an uncle who was deaf. He had IT on audiobook on tape. He left it to me and i just recently transferred it to my ipod. The stand too. You really have to work for those transfers.

[bryantburnette]

While shopping on Amazon.com recently, I found a whole slew of King audiobooks scheduled for release in 2010, and I pre-ordered all of them.

If any of these aren't real products, I would appreciate knowing it in advance, as Amazon.com has led me to believe that they do, in fact, exist, and have similarly indicated their intention to charge me for them. Heck, they even sent me an email to make it even more official.

Danse Macabre -- January 26
UR -- February 16
The Long Walk -- April 1
Firestarter -- April 1
Cujo -- April 1
Roadwork -- April 1
The Running Man -- April 1
The Eyes of the Dragon -- May 13
The Dark Half -- May 13
Christine -- May 13
(ahem) It -- May 13
The Tommyknockers -- May 13

So, what gives here?

[Moderator]

When I first checked Amazon's page to see if I could find the pre-order info, nothing came up. I checked with Penguin Audio about IT on Friday and they confirmed that they are planning to do this as a mass market audiobook but are waiting for the paperwork to be completed before proceeding so it has not actually been produced yet. They could not give me any information about reader/s at this time.

[Mobe1969]

Yeah, awesome news. Wouldn't it be great if they had Tim Curry do it :) Or rather, do IT.

I have had it on preorder for a few weeks now (along with all the other novels - not the short ones). I can't wait!

Regarding the whole CD/MP3, I'd prefer that if I buy them on physical media they are CD wave. I don't know what they do the MP3s at, what sort of bit rate, quality etc.

If they released them in an aac audiobook format on CD media with good quality, I'd go for that. Like the HQ Audible versions.

At the moment though I have a process for turning a CD into a single m4b using EAC and FAAC. M4bs are good on an iPod as you can both have it remember spot in the track, and run them at a faster or slower speed, plus they have the 30 second rewind feature - stuff you don't get with a straight audiotrack. If I got anything on phsical media as MP3 I'd have to decompress it to a wave and then recompress to a proper audiobook format.

[hetfield_86]

Awesome

[Mobe1969]

I wonder who some of the narrators are going to be on the next slew of Stehpen King audiobooks coming out early next year. I'm actually pretty excited and thinking about this question quite a bit. It would truly be awesome if Tim Curry did IT. :)

Any news anyone?

[Moderator]

I know who has been selected to see if they would be willing to read the new audio books but I do not know if they have accepted the offers so cannot pass along the names yet. I can tell you it is not Tim Curry for IT, though.

[Mr. Jingles]

I'd like to see Sir Anthony Hopkins read "It". That'd be sweet!

[Mobe1969]

I know who has been selected to see if they would be willing to read the new audio books but I do not know if they have accepted the offers so cannot pass along the names yet. I can tell you it is not Tim Curry for IT, though.

Thanks - as soon as you know who is doing them, can you let us all know!

Shame it isn't Tim Curry though. Ah well :) I'm still getting it.

[Patricia A]

I pre-ordered one, so here's to hoping It's really there.

[Flipsk8emerica]

I'm am currently listening to the audio book version read by Chuck Benson and I am very pleased with it. The sound isn't the best but it only makes the book even creepier, kind of like when Ash listens to the readings from the Necronomicon for the first time in Evil Dead. I got my copy on Ioffer for 9 bucks and got the link to download it the same day...cant beat that.

[Garren]

Oh snap, if thats true Under The Dome will be the next audio book I grab.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Now if only we could get The Stand on CD...

[RocketMan]

The readers have been announced for the next slew of King audiobooks, and Steven Weber will be reading It. I think it's a good but not perfect choice.

The other choices are quite good as well, especially Bronson Pinchot reading The Eyes of the Dragon and Edward Herrmann reading The Tommyknockers.

Here's hoping The Stand will be among the next batch of King audiobooks. (Maybe an actor from the miniseries could read it? I guess Gary Sinise or Rob Lowe are too high-profile, so I'm thinking Matt Frewer.)

[kingfanalaska09]

Ms. Mod is it true Steven Weber will read It? And those other choices?

[Flipsk8emerica]

Man i was really hoping Tim Curry would read IT. He did an awesome job on the Series of Unfortunate Events series

[Flipsk8emerica]

By the way where did you read this RocketMan

[Moderator]

Ms. Mod is it true Steven Weber will read It? And those other choices?


That's my understanding. I'll have to check with Penguin to confirm the other readers but many of the names look familiar from the list that Steve approved as his reader choices.

[RocketMan]

Actually, I did some detective work and have three sources.

First, I visited Penguin's website and simply searched for the audiobooks. The text didn't mention the readers, but some of the covers were up, and when I enlarged them I was able to make out the names. Some covers, however, were missing, and those included It.

Then I saw that Audiobooks today made the following announcement: http://audiobookstoday.blogspot.com/2010/02/old-stephen-king-in-new-release.html
This mentions all the books and all the readers, but not who's doing what.

Finally, one of the readers themselves - Grover Gardner - twittered the final line-up: http://twitter.com/GroverGardner

So there you go.

[hanshotfirst1138]

The readers have been announced for the next slew of King audiobooks, and Steven Weber will be reading It. I think it's a good but not perfect choice.

The other choices are quite good as well, especially Bronson Pinchot reading The Eyes of the Dragon and Edward Herrmann reading The Tommyknockers.

Here's hoping The Stand will be among the next batch of King audiobooks. (Maybe an actor from the miniseries could read it? I guess Gary Sinise or Rob Lowe are too high-profile, so I'm thinking Matt Frewer.)

Any idea when that next batch might be coming ;)?

[warbird]

I have on ebay alot lately look for Sk first editions and have come across a couple of IT audiobooks in mp3 format. I don't know if these are legal but you may want to check it out.

[ellisd]

I have on ebay alot lately look for Sk first editions and have come across a couple of IT audiobooks in mp3 format. I don't know if these are legal but you may want to check it out.

they are not legal i don't think, all I *think* I know is that the mp3's are downloaded from torrent sites and programs like lime wire. and besides them selling something thats out there for *free*, i'm pretty sure the versions there selling are copies from audibooks intended for legally blind persons' only.

[Flipsk8emerica]

Got mine on Ioffer and listened to IT about 3 times already. It's read by Chuck Benson and it's amazing. Great way to pass the time at work.

[Flipsk8emerica]

Now if only we could get The Stand on CD...

Check out Ioffer you can get it on there and it's awesome! That's where I got IT and quite a few other books that haven’t been officially released.

[Flipsk8emerica]

Just an update from the amazon site

This title will be released on May 13, 2010.
Unabridged CDs, 35 CDs, 44 hours

[Robert Gray]

I look forward to it with great relish.

[Moderator]

You can now hear a clip of the audiobook here (http://www.stephenking.com/library/audiobook/it.html).

[Flipsk8emerica]

This sounds ok so far though I still like the version narrated by Chuck Benson better. He just has more of an ominous, dark tone that suits the text better imo and his Pennywise voice is just so sinister. I can’t wait to hear how Steven Weber’s Pennywise voice will sound (hopefully chilling though)

[Flipsk8emerica]

If anyone is interested here is the link I used to download the old version of Stephen King's IT.


https://sth-se.diino.com/augeria/stephen%20king/it1

[Moderator]

That link won't work but my guess is that this site is pirating the information and violating Steve's copyright, so would not be inclined to post a workaround anyway.

[Mobe1969]

I can't wait to get my copy. I should have it soon!

[Mobe1969]

I got to say, Steven Weber's reading of IT is just brilliant. Best audiobook I've heard so far. He put's such life into it. He should get an award for it.

[Shadowtron]

I got to say, Steven Weber's reading of IT is just brilliant. Best audiobook I've heard so far. He put's such life into it. He should get an award for it.

How did he pull off Pennywise?

[Mobe1969]

Very well - menacing I'd say. He even does a fantastic job of all of Richie's impersonations as well

Seriously, he should get an award for it.

I've liked him for some time as an actor - loved his job in The Shining miniseries, Desperation, Hamburger Hill.

[matti76]

According to Amazon UK, my CDs have been dispatched today. :smile2: Anyone got theirs yet? Can't wait to listen to this on the iPod whilst out walking the dog, sitting on the train, etc. :smile2:

[ZBliss]

Typically new releases are put on shelves on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Are the Audio books going to be in stores this next week then?

[Moderator]

The official on-sale date is May 13th so they should be there already but that's a question best directed to your local retailer.

[Flipsk8emerica]

Just downloaded the new version read by Steven Weber from the iTunes store Friday before I left for the coast. Very well read and eerie as it should be! It was a perfect escape on a rather boring car ride. It stormed the whole way down so if possible it gave the book an even creepier truer vibe. I highly recommend going through the Itunes store if you have an iPod to download this. It beats having to wait for the audio book to come in the mail plus you save on shipping and the packaging. The total was about 33 dollars. When I checked Amazon it was 37 + shipping. Just an FYI and happy listening to all who get this!

[JoeSherry]

I'm loving it. Steven Weber was a great choice!

I don't have an mp3 adapter for the car so I got the standard cd's. over 30 discs for 37 dollars from Amazon. FYI...it's not 37 plus shipping, orders over 25 dollars have free shipping.

[matti76]

Well, my parcel arrived from Amazon today.....and inside was the Tommyknockers instead! Gaahh! :sad: I'm sure it's good, but It is what I wanted. I've already submitted a return but It is now out of stock, and new delivery estimate is 3rd-11th June. :down:

[GNTLGNT]

Sounds like it's time for Pennywise to don the glammer of a Mail delivery person and go "postal" on Amazon...:laugh:

[Mobe1969]

I'm loving it. Steven Weber was a great choice!

I don't have an mp3 adapter for the car so I got the standard cd's. over 30 discs for 37 dollars from Amazon. FYI...it's not 37 plus shipping, orders over 25 dollars have free shipping.
Yeah, Weber was a fantastic choice. I seriously hope he gets some sort of award for it. He deservices it.
I got mine $25 plus shipping on CD.

[DoctorStrange]

Does anyone know when it will be released in-stores in the UK? I haven't been able to find the IT audiobooks anywhere. :down:

[RocketMan]

Amazon.co.uk has It in stock.

[Mobe1969]

Does anyone know when it will be released in-stores in the UK? I haven't been able to find the IT audiobooks anywhere. :down:

BookDepository UK have it in stock. You can always buy it online.

[RocketMan]

I'm now well into this very nice audiobook, and it's a great listening experience. Steven Weber certainly doesn't hold back with his characterisations and exclamations, thankfully always stopping this way of overacting.

Just one minor quibble: I listen to it during my commute, and sometimes Weber's voice drops to low, almost conspiratorial levels - that's when my car engine drowns out what he's reading.

[kittykat1]

IT is now available on Audible.com. Stephen Weber narrates it. I think I would have preferred a different narrator, probably because his voice was so familiar that it distracted me from just listening to the story sometimes.

[ellisd]

i loved the release of IT on audiobook, it was incredible. i admit it took me some getting used to steven weber as stuttering bill, but by the end the story has your so wrapped up you dont even really notice the little quirks you may find. still wonderful to finally have IT available regardless of who narrates it imo.

[RocketMan]

I just checked out the FAQ here at stephenking.com, and it still says that there is no official audiobook available of both It and The Stand. Shouldn't that be updated?

[Moderator]

Yes, thanks, that's on our "to do" list. We are currently updating the FAQ section as there are several areas that need revision.

[arsepoetica]

I first read IT when I was about the age of the characters involved. I remember being completely swept away by the story, and the way Stephen King had immortalized that age in a way that rang true to someone who actually WAS that age at the time. As the years passed, I reread the book every summer. I've been through that book countless times, more than any other, and I'm happy I'll get to enjoy it again and again on audio format.

[Robert Gray]

I'm sorry to say I cannot suggest anyone get the new audio book version of "It." I love the book. I love the audio book version for the blind. I love Steven Weber in his many acting performances. I find him a less than apt reader. While some of his characterizations (particularly of It) were good, his overall performance in reading had problems. There are characters that bleed into one another. There isn't enough emotional shift (or distinction) between characters. The Losers often sound angry at each other, as if everyone is always screaming. It wasn't the worst audio book I ever purchased, but it suffices to say I won't listen to it again.

[Flipsk8emerica]

I'm sorry to say I cannot suggest anyone get the new audio book version of "It." I love the book. I love the audio book version for the blind. I love Steven Weber in his many acting performances. I find him a less than apt reader. While some of his characterizations (particularly of It) were good, his overall performance in reading had problems. There are characters that bleed into one another. There isn't enough emotional shift (or distinction) between characters. The Losers often sound angry at each other, as if everyone is always screaming. It wasn't the worst audio book I ever purchased, but it suffices to say I won't listen to it again.

I agree the Chuck Benson version is much better. It has more of a creepy vibe and I love how the quality sounds more like an old tape player. As I've said before it reminds me of Evil Dead when Ash is listening to the translation of The Book of the Dead (necronomicon)