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March 9, 2007

Audiobook Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS

March 02, 2008 08:56 AM EST (Updated: March 10, 2008 07:20 PM EDT)

views: 63 | rating: 9.9/10 (9 votes) | comments: 8

J.K. Rowling
Read by Jim Dale

There's only one word that can describe Jim Dale's work on HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS--"magical." Few audiobook narrators can stretch the medium like Dale as he interprets more than 200 characters, giving each a distinctive voice. Giants, wizards, elves, witches, centaurs, and muggles have singular voices that are instantly recognizable. It's hard to imagine anyone else doing justice to J.K. Rowling's brilliant finale to the story of the boy wizard as he conquers fear and turns into a man. Dale has raised the bar on audiobook interpretation so high it's hard to imagine any narrator vaulting over it. If anyone were going to make a case that listening to an audiobook is superior to reading it, this book would be the best evidence. Bravo. M.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 07]

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Tags: jk rowling, narrators, audio books, audiobooks, harry potter, family listening

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Comments: 8

Gerri D. Mar 2, 2008, 9:27am EST

Thanks for the review.

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Pat S. Mar 2, 2008, 5:20pm EST

thx for sharing........ :O)

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Bob D. Mar 2, 2008, 8:09pm EST

I got the audio book as soon as it came out, because Jim Dale's voices are a treat. He certainly knows the flow and cadence of J.K. Rowling in her books, and it shows. A great series of books, made even more magical by the audio version.

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Linda G. Mar 4, 2008, 8:35am EST

I listened to this book shortly after it came out. It was very good, but I thought it lacked some of the magic of the eralier books. I keep one audio book on CD in my car and another on MP3 player. It allows me to "read" no matter where I am.

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MaryBeth W. Mar 4, 2008, 9:30am EST

I have found I actually read more books now that I also listen to them! Check out our Best of 2007 list!

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j - Frugal Mom - r. Mar 8, 2008, 8:51pm EST

Thanks for the review!

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dark faery Mar 10, 2008, 8:20pm EDT

I got all the Harry Potter audiobooks done by Jim Dale and Stephen Fry. I dunno why, but I enjoy Stephen's more. Both are great though. :)

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Jeff Z. Mar 11, 2008, 2:12am EDT

Yes, Jim Dale is a master. I've listened to all 7 Harry Potter books with him reading and found Deathly Hallows to be a great culmination of the series.

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