Quote:
Originally Posted by issybird
I finally got around to trying Patrick Tull reading Master and Commander, which I read earlier this year before I started listening to the Vance versions of the next six novels. He is, of course, excellent and I think you nailed it with going with the one you listened to first, as I'm going to stick with Vance as the voice in my head (cheapness is also a factor here, as Overdrive has the Vance versions).
Parsing the differences between the two, I'll note that while you snarked with reason about Vance's Maturin, I think he does a better Aubrey. More young and vigorous, while Tull's is more grizzled seadog even though Aubrey is still in his twenties in the first book. And I think Vance is funnier, giving more measure to the humor in the stories, although Tull does an excellent narration in the raconteur style.
So yes, ultimately it's a you-pick-it situation. The dream version would have Vance reading Jack and Tull reading Stephen.
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I'd agree with your assessment of a dream version IF we could get Simon Vance to slow down just a bit. I much prefer Patrick Tull's pace for this book. It's not measured or slow, but it
does have pacing which is, as you put it, "in the raconteur style". There are actual dramatic pauses.
But you're right, both are actually quite excellent and enjoyable, so by all means go with the one you can get from the Library via Overdrive. I don't think all the Patrick Tull ones are easily available in North America right now, anyway. Which just makes me happy I have them all, while reminding me how very much I hate geo-restrictions!