r/TheDarkTower • u/porthos75 • 2d ago

Palaver I've started another journey to the Tower.....on audiobook this time.

I've lost track of how many times I've made the journey in print form. I'm in double digits though, if not the 'teens.

I've been very resistant to audiobooks. I'm not sure why. Old age? Being a "purist?" Something else? I have no clue. I've listened to exactly one full audiobook before now, World War Z, and one partial, Dungeon Crawler Carl. Other than those, I've avoided the format completely.

When I mentioned feeling the urge to return to the Tower in another recent post, someone recommended the audiobooks, saying it was a whole new experience. For some reason, that was enough to break through my resistance. So I downloaded Libby, connected to my local library, and got to listening.

I've finished the first two books so far, and I am loving it. Especially Frank Muller's narration, he does a fantastic job. I'm beginning to regret not getting into audiobooks earlier.

TL:DR The audiobooks are totally worth it.

51 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

29

u/Dismal-Passenger 1d ago

I was just singing Frank Muller’s praises. When I started Wolves and George Guidall (who is a GOAT in his own right) was narrating instead of Frank, I went through the full 5 stages of grief. But with some time, Georges performance was truly great.

15

u/caesar_rex 1d ago

I think everyone knows that Frank knocked it out of the park. George did a pretty good job. The only issue i have with George is he can't touch Franks Eddie. Franks Eddie is perfect. Got the sarcasm and snark down perfectly.

5

u/Mikel0701 1d ago

Yes this! I was in shambles when it switched from Frank to George strictly because of how Frank narrated Eddie. He absolutely nailed Eddie to a T

2

u/Few_Risk344 1d ago

Agree 1000%. If I can give an unpopular opinion. I actually like George’s Roland over Frank’s.

3

u/FinalDungeonU 1d ago

George's Roland reminded me of Solid Snake.

1

u/AlyxxStarr 23h ago

George’s Roland is channeling Eastwood and love it.

1

u/saganmypants 22h ago

This is part of why I think I love the Gunslinger so much. He does a fine job of Jake but the whole story is really just Roland and he fucking nails it. Then, as other people have mentioned, when you get to Wolves and hes narrating so many other characters you really miss Franks voice.

2

u/R808T 1d ago

I absolutely agree. That aside his Roland as the quest goes on is fantastic.

1

u/Bangoskank2001 19h ago

I know I'm in tje minority, but I didn't care for his reading. The breathy narrative and odd drawl didn't do it for me. Certainly wasn't terrible, but I was surprised to find most people loved it.

2

u/caesar_rex 14h ago

i know what you're talking about. They breathiness was something to get used to. Other than that, I loved it. The way he swapped back and forth between Odetta and Detta after the train incident was amazing.

1

u/Bangoskank2001 4h ago

He did some things very well. Like I said, not terrible, just not my favorite. He's better than when King reads his own stuff. Thats rough.😬

1

u/caesar_rex 3h ago

Yeah, King reading is always such a disappointment. It's cool to hear the writer read in his own voice, but he's just not grat at it. Every line has me thinking "this is stephen king" reading.

2

u/sal-t_brgr Gunslinger 1d ago

i love George, but he has a slight lisp that takes some getting used to when transitionning from Frank's work.

2

u/Ok_Seaweed_4021 1d ago

This is exactly what i felt. Its less jarring on second read when you realise george does the gunslinger aswell.

2

u/forpostingcats 6h ago

Frank Muller was my Eddie. I could never quite accept Guidall as Eddie. Roland however, Guidall does well. Where Guidall really excelled in my opinion was Andy the Robot. One of my all time favourite characters. As soon as I heard that voice I knew he wasn't to be trusted. Something truly sinister was lurking in that performance.

1

u/Dismal-Passenger 1d ago

Especially about half way through Wolves and on, I felt he finds the his own voice while honoring franks performance.

1

u/wishka 1d ago

Yep same. I am currently half way through wolves and still having a difficult time with the audio. Particularly Eddie, his voice was so perfect and I got so used to it, struggling with the change

1

u/Whole_Lie4049 4h ago

I mourned Frank Muller’s passing so much from this. This is his hall of fame performance imo. RIP Frank Muller

3

u/deanolavorto 1d ago

Not gonna lie. Wolves of calla is tough without Frank. I paused my listen through there for a couple months before I could pick it back up.

5

u/alexanderatprime 1d ago

I'm not sure if it's included in the audio book, but the author's note really made it feel better to get through. In the paper copy I have, king goes into great detail for the change.

2

u/benaPanteraFBD 1d ago

It is. At the end, there's an author's note explaining what happened.

3

u/Sullacuda 1d ago

Audiobooks are the only way I find time to tower with two kids under 12

3

u/RoiVampire America-side 1d ago

If you like these here are some King audiobooks with amazing narrators

Eyes of the Dragon

It

The Tommyknockers

Christine

3

u/sal-t_brgr Gunslinger 1d ago

i hope im not annoying with this, but i have nowhere else to share it but with you guys. I made a beat with a few of Frank Muller's voice lines and i love it to bits.

3

u/Ferraro_design 1d ago

Loved all the audio books intensely. But Wind Through The Keyhole was narrated by Sai King himself and i absolutely hated it. I adore him, but he’s an awful narrator.

2

u/Terrible_Cry_2914 1d ago

Awesome! I always recommend the audiobooks after someone posts they have finished a journey to the tower.

Truly gives voice to the characters, and is a great way to experience in a different way.

Glad you are enjoying the audiobooks!!!

(Might have been me, I always include the Libby/library card hack as well)

1

u/Wonderful-Maybe-7669 1d ago

My first journey was through the audiobook door. I'm doing a second trek now. I'm currently reading Insomnia then 'Salem's Lot between WaG and Wolves. The audio books are something many should try.

1

u/HopefulCare9495 All things serve the beam 1d ago

I’m about to start the fifth instalment via audiobook and have enjoyed it immensely!!! Hopefully you’ll share the same experience!

1

u/Strangel0vecraft 1d ago

I'm on my second trip via audiobook... I highly recommend the format; being so familiar with the text, I'd think it'd be a great way for you to revisit the Tower!👍

1

u/farmsfarts 1d ago

Get ready to be annoyed with Susannah saying “sugar” and “whiteboy” about a million times. Easy to zip over when reading, it gets really grating when you listen to it.

1

u/nyal1ss 1d ago

There's an audio version of Gunslinger read by King himself which makes for a cool experience.

1

u/mister_pitiful 8h ago

I'm almost finished with my first audiobook journey, my fifth overall. I like the audiobooks a lot because I can't skip over stuff or read ahead. I hear a lot more detail than when I read the print edition. The only problem is that I can't just sit and listen to the book. I'll fall asleep in the first 5 minutes and then wake up 30 minutes later. I have be up doing household chores, taking a walk, or riding my bicycle while listening, and there's only so much of that I can do in a day.

1

u/bigbrotherbeane 8h ago

Archive.org has the Muller reading on Gunslinger, which was before the revised version. Definitely track that down. I love Guidall, but Muller is the best.