AUDIO BOOKS . . .

Ah, the spoken word. I'm a huge fan of audio books, notwithstanding the fact that I don't care to listen to them. (Well, just what do you do with 'em, Larry? Eat 'em?)

Let me explain. When I try to listen to a book on tape, my mind wanders and I pick up something and start reading it. (This is always distracting, especially if I'm driving.) But I'm delighted the medium exists, and that it's growing at a brisk pace. There are loads of folks who have as much trouble with the written word as I have with the spoken word, and the whole world of books was closed to them until now. I'm absolutely delighted that all those people can now enjoy books---especially mine.

And I'm happy, too, that readers can listen to my books on their way to work, or to pick up their unemployment checks. Whatever.

First time I recorded one of my books, I came home and slept for sixteen hours. But it satisfies the urge to perform, and, after all these years, anything that allows me to earn a buck without writing something is sheer pleasure.

In the world of audio, you have to choose between abridged and unabridged. The problem with the abridged, obviously, is that a lot has been cut; most of my recent books run around 90,000 words, and a 3-hour audio holds around 25,000, and you can do the math. The problem with the unabridged is they cost more, and take more time to listen to. (No matter how many times you took the Evelyn Wood course, speedreading won't help you here.)

Much of my work is available in both versions, and sometimes from more than one audio publisher. And titles go in and out of print, and web booksellers don't always list everything. Unabridged editions are generally available for rental. Here's what's out there, with links:

KELLER:

The only version of Hit Man is Robert Forster's excellent unabridged reading, for Dove Audio.

For Hit List, I narrated the Harper Audio abridgment, and am really pleased with it; instead of the usual three-hour hatchet job, it's a six-hour recording; While some episodes have been cut, but you're getting the lion's share, and the scenes themselves aren't shredded as they so often are. If only all abridgments were this length. . .

BERNIE RHODENBARR:

Three different audio publishers offer unabridged editions for rental or purchase. Recorded Books, Blackstone Audiobooks and Chivers North America, who don't have a web site; some of their titles are available from on-line booksellers, or you can call them direct at 1.800.704.2005.

Of the abridged versions, Joe Mantegna recorded Ted Williams, while I narrated all the others. Several of you have told me you like listening to them after having read the books; that way your memory fills in what's missing. Some of the recent titles are available from on-line booksellers;
I have extras of a few that are out-of-print, and would be more than happy to sell them to you.

MATTHEW SCUDDER:

The abridgments are all out-of-print, except for Robert Forster's six-hour version of Everybody Dies. I can furnish some of the other titles, three-hour versions read by various narrators. ORDER NOW

Recorded Books has unabridged editions of Even the Wicked, Everybody Dies, A Walk Among the Tombstones, and When the Sacred Ginmill Closes. Chivers (no web site, but call 1.800.704.2005) has several titles in print or on the way, including my own recording of Eight Million Ways to Die.

EVAN TANNER:

My own three-hour abridgment of Tanner on Ice is still in print. Unabridged versions of that book and several earlier volumes in the series can be rented or purchased from Chivers (1.800.704.2005).

CHIP HARRISON:

All four titles are available unabridged from Chivers (1.800.704.2005).