Harry Potter Audio Books

Should You Buy a Harry Potter Audio Book?

Recently a mother of a friend was aghast at the demands of her 12-year old daughter that they purchase a Harry Potter audio book featuring the last two recent books, “The Half-Blood Prince” and “The Deathly Hallows”. This was just on the heels of having to wait in line at 5 in the morning for the hard-bound copy of the last book so the mother’s exasperation was clearly understandable.

What’s the point of a Harry Potter audio book when you’ve already read the book, the mother had asked her daughter who simply replied that the book and the audio-book were two different things. The only thing different about them is that the Harry Potter audio book costs a lot more although both are beginning to be such big headaches the mother retorted.

Indeed the mania for all things Harry Potter has a lot of parents in a tizzy. The release of the final book worldwide created unprecedented frenzy with millions lining up at book stores even the day before the novel was set to be released simultaneously. Although most of Potter novels have been heavily discounted, the effort to acquire one has gotten on the nerves of some parents who if given a choice, would gladly not go through the whole experience again.

Harry Potter Audio Books Can Be Expensive

With a Harry Potter audio books retailing in some stores for almost $70, (look on eBay for the best price) one thing parents would refuse to face again is the prospect of shelling out more money for something their kids already have, albeit in a different format and medium. What also compounds the cost is that each book of the series averages 12 or more CDs or cassettes and therefore is not practical to offer as a complete set. Parents are even aghast that a Harry Potter audio book even contributes to the messiness that often characterizes the life and habits of its pre-teenage and teenage readers.

There are CDs strewn all over her room and in the car, a mother complains adding that had she known, she wouldn’t have consented to buying a Harry Potter audio book in the first place.

Harry Potter Audio Books Are Great For Traveling

I like Harry Potter audio books because my children love to listen to them while travelling in the car.

But if there are critics, there are also fans that have fallen in love with the series in its audio book format. Established critics have lavished praise on the audio book’s technical polish, saying that the quality has brought listening to a new level. Indeed, the book’s author J.K. Rowling who has creative control over everything related to her creation has obviously spared no expense for the production of the Harry Potter audio books.

The narrator of the book is Jim Dale who has Grammy, Tony, Audie and Drama Desk awards for his narration work as well as an Academy Award nomination.

And then there are parents who say that the Harry Potter audio books have actually accomplished a service to kids who have reading disabilities or difficulties. Parents of children who are inclined to the dramatic arts have found the audio books extremely useful in their practice of acting, proper pronunciation and even in attempting a passable British accent.

The truth is that parents have a final say on whether to buy a set or not and that they should not be influenced against their better judgment by their own children. Their decision to buy a Harry Potter audio book should take into consideration what is ultimately best for the entire family.