Audible is a streaming platform that is widely known for being a home for countless audiobooks and podcasts. In the last couple of years, it has been taking a step forward to bring back a concept that has almost faded over the years. The platform has been releasing book adaptations and original scripts in the form of audio dramas. They are often voiced by a cast of stars in addition to having an immaculate sound design to make the experience more immersive for the listener.
Audiobooks and Audio Dramas Are Different?
Audiobooks often follow the pattern of having one narrator tell the story throughout the entire book. But some high-quality audiobooks can have an entire cast of voice actors to play different characters. These are more enjoyable, but not always affordable for regular publishing companies.
On the other hand, audio dramas are done differently. There is a cast hired to voice-act the story’s characters from the very beginning. The experience is elevated by having a professional team working on adding music and sound effects. And the story is not necessarily a dramatized book adaptation; it can also be an original script.
Are Audible Original Adaptations Doing Books Justice?
There has been an online discourse on whether Audible’s original adaptations of classics can do them justice and manage not to subvert the author’s message. Of course, one must keep in mind that these adaptations are inevitably abridged versions of the original audiobooks, so it can be tricky to capture all the nuances within the book.
However, the primary target audience of these adaptations is people who prefer listening to a concise, digestible, and immersive version of the original story. So even if the adaptation does not capture all the shades of the book’s magic, it is still more suitable for people who are not big readers but still want to enjoy good stories in a way that aligns with their preferences.
Recommendations: Where To Start
If you want to get into audio dramas but are not sure where to begin, here are three audio dramas that will make for a memorable start:
Impact Winter by Travis Beacham
Certainly, it is easier to capture a post-apocalyptic world on film than it is on audio. But Travis Beacham took the challenge and killed it! In a story that follows a group of survivors after a comet hits the earth and blots out the sun, you will find yourself surprised by how much sound can be evocative when done right.
It is a dark, bleak, and potentially dangerous world. And you can hear all of that in detail, even with the sound of the wind howling in the background, as the characters take you on an unforgettable journey. They are trying to navigate living in this new world that seems like it does not belong to them anymore.
I went into this one with no expectations, and I honestly expected a somewhat cliché storyline, but I was proved wrong through and through. Now, whenever someone asks for an original audio drama, Impact Winter is my first go-to!
Motel Evil by KC Wayland
When a crime happens twice in the same motel room on the same date, rumors start spreading. Is it hunted? Is it cursed? Or is it just an ill fate? But then, when the third crime happens on the next anniversary, everyone realizes there is something sinister beyond the myths lurking in the shadows. Detective Read wants to crack this case open. He is willing to investigate all the guests in this motel to figure out who the murderer is, and every single one of them might just have a little too much to hide.
The creator of Motel Evil, KC Wayland, has already created an award-winning series on Audible Original Dramas called We’re Alive, so know you are in good hands! I prefer Motel Evil over We’re Alive. The plot twists were unbelievably insane and hard to see coming, and this author enjoyed playing detective while going about their day. It is an enjoyable ride for anyone who’s just getting into audio dramas.
George Orwell’s 1984
This book needs little introduction as it is one of the classics. As a quick synopsis: By 1984, Great Britain had lost all it had to it, even its name. Now, it’s called Airstrip One. Everyone is under the scrutiny of Big Brother. The people’s conception of everything around them is next to nonexistent; they are prisoners to their fear. But Winston Smith might just have enough revolting feelings inside him that are battling him to get out. As he meets Julia and then O’Brien, Winston believes there is room for change, and he holds onto a sliver of hope for freedom.
The cast for this adaptation had big star names: Andrew Garfield, Andrew Scott, Cynthia Erivo, and Tom Hardy. They created amazing work. Their voice-acting made the author believe these characters were made to be voiced by no one else but them. They brought these characters to life, and they gave the story an even more realistic dimension than it already had. The sound design was also phenomenal; it was recorded by the London Metropolitan Orchestra!
I’m someone who always recommends reading the book before consuming any adaptations of it. However, if you feel like you don’t have time to get around to reading it and want to understand the hype around it, listen to this adaptation. It was an amazing performance all around.
Conclusion
Audio dramas can be your new favorite way of enjoying the books or movies you don’t have the time to read or watch. These new dramas are an absolute revolution in the storytelling realm, especially now that people’s minds are always in a rush and it’s hard to sit and read a book. Listening to an audio drama adaptation of media is easier to consume and more accessible.
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