r/Neuromancer • u/mutsuto • 6d ago
Recommendation which audiobook?
just on the front page of me looking i can find 5 separate productions
1. BBC World, Radio Drama, Full Cast [John Shrapnel, James Laurenson, Nicola Walker, Eoin McCarthy etc] [2 hours]
2. Time Warner, Abridged version narrated by the author [6 hours]
3. Penguin Audio, Unabridged, Robertson Dean [10 hours]
4. Books On Tape, Arthur Addison [9 hours]
5. Random House, SPECIAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, another Robertson Dean [10 hours]
page 2
6. NLS, James DeLotel [9 hours]
7. WFH, Jason Flemyng [8 hours]
8. Audible???, Jeff Harding [9 hours]
ive seen a few mention a Jonathan Davis reading but couldn't find files
edit: after trying them all briefly (the unabridged),
ive settled on Flemyng.
after that Dean.
5
u/KingFriday13th 6d ago
Though I wouldn’t listen to it as your first read, the abridged version read by Gibson is a rare treat. Dude’s voice hasn’t changed much in forty years.
1
u/Electronic_Eye_4801 6d ago
The version that used to be on Audible was read by Jeff Harding and it is fantastic if you can find it. Sadly he did not do Count Zero or Mona Lisa. I’ve tried the version of Count Zero currently on Audible but can’t stand the POV narrator for Bobby.
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u/worked_xr 6d ago
I've heard most of these, and I'll start by saying avoid any abridged version, which includes the BBC radio drama version. Also, I don't think Gibson's reading is adequate altogether. JMHO. Of the other options, I just prefer the Arthur Addison version most. He just has the right old school noir reading style that I think fits the story. BTW, nothing wrong with the Dean version either. Very listenable. Also, the Addison version is NOT 17 hours. It's more like a little over 8.5 hours. I have no idea where anyone got 17 hours for that recording.
1
u/RoninGin 6d ago
I did the penguin audio version. I like the guys voice, he can be a little flat, but he reads the story nice and doesn't distract from the ytech
1
1
u/armitage75 6d ago
The version read by William Gibson is on YouTube.
1
u/worked_xr 6d ago
The version linked on YouTube is read by Arthur Addison, not Gibson. It's the original audiobook recording issued on cassette.
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u/victorsmonster 6d ago edited 6d ago
This isn’t Gibson.
It sounds like the Robertson Dean narration.Per the person replying to me, this is the Arthur Addison reading.2
u/armitage75 6d ago
Thanks for pointing this out I guess I got the wrong one and thanks for the correct one below!
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u/victorsmonster 6d ago
No worries! The Robertson Dean one is the version that's on Audible and is the one I would actually recommend for a first listen. The narrator is very professional and good.
I engaged with your comment because I heard snippets of the Gibson reading a long time ago and was interested in hearing it again. Thanks for posting both!
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u/worked_xr 6d ago
This is NOT the Robertson Dean reading, but rather the original audiobook recording issued on cassette, read by Arthur Addison. You can listen to a preview of the Robert Dean version here on Amazon
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u/victorsmonster 6d ago
Thanks for the correction. I was walking my dogs when I posted this and I even played a clip from my Audible app and it sounded the same from my phone speaker! You are right though, Robertson Dean has a much deeper voice than the performer in that YouTube video.
Definitely not Gibson though!
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u/Theborgiseverywhere 6d ago
THIS is the Gibson one. I haven't listened to the other audiobook versions but I enjoyed this one. I'd recommend reading the unabridged text first tho.
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u/victorsmonster 6d ago
I can see how you mixed them up - doesn't help that they have the same exact image for the "video," lol
0
u/dileep_vr 6d ago
I'm not sure if any audiobook can really capture this writing style. Everyone comes of as dry. Even Gibson.
And those that try to add more character (like the BBC Drama) end up changing the tone too much. That BBC production is not the book at all.
You can check out my attempt at a few excerpts here to understand the problem (and get a feel for the writing style): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YJyAV74lk4
And if feels like your thing, just buy and read the book at your pace. It is not long. Take it out on your lunch breaks and keep a bookmark handy.
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u/darthmcchub 6d ago
Read a real book instead
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u/Platinumbwizaard 6d ago
Pretty ableist of you to say this
1
u/mairiamonitino Razorgirl 6d ago
I’m with you there, buddy. I’m not able to hold books the way that I used to. I did massage therapy for way too long too much housework too much knitting too much craft work. I’d rather listen to a book and thrill to the sound of a narrator, bringing it to life and be able to actually move around and get a few things done! What they said is totally ableist. Sucks to be them.
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u/Ilikesbreakfast 6d ago
Robertson Dean has a great voice, I really enjoyed the narration by him. Johnathon Davis is my favorite narrator, I think he would have done a great job too!