Listening to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is Even Better than Watching the Movie!
Unless you have been living in a cave for the past 10 years, you have heard of Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling’s boy wizard has ignited the imagination and desire to read in the young and young-at-heart.
With the opening of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in movie theatres this week, I wondered how many readers have listened to the Potter series on audiobook.
The Boy Wizard
J.K. Rowling created characters that crossed generations in their appeal. The unlikely hero, Harry Potter, a young wizard raised by Muggles (non-magic people) is a perfectly flawed hero. He isn’t a perfect student or a perfect wizard, and because of that he is relatable.
Hermione and Ron, Harry’s fellow students, are equally appealing. Hermione is an overachiever, determined to be the best despite her Muggle lineage. Ron comes from a family that has little money, but an abundance of kindness.
Deathly Hallows
The Hogwarts Years
Each of the Harry Potter books takes place during a year of schooling at Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We follow Harry, his friends, and his enemies as they grow, change, and sometimes die. Yes, death is a part of Harry’s world right from the outset. His parents perished at the hand of Voldemort, the ultimate evil wizard.
Not Just for Children
These books are listed as children’s fantasy, but don’t let that stop you. When first released, my oldest son and I listened to the audio of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone during long car rides. I was hooked. Later, as he got older, he followed along with the book as we listened. Now he prefers to read the book… or fight for it! When the last installment came out, our copy had three bookmarks: Mine, my middle son’s, and my eldest’s.
Audiobook Narrator Jim Dale
The Magical Narrator
Jim Dale narrates all of the Harry Potter books for good reason. His voice embraces the stories, his expression perfect for the prose. I’m not alone in my admiration. Mr. Dale has won numerous awards, including a Grammy award for his reading of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in 2008 and three Guinness World Records for creating the most character voices in an audiobook and holding the first six places in the top ten bestselling audio CDs of the US and Canada – all for the Harry Potter series.
Join the Journey
If you haven’t listened to the Harry Potter series, give it a try. You do not have to be a fan of Fantasy to enjoy the incredibly imaginative series that is, at heart, about good conquering evil. Oh, and if you live at my house – I will NOT take you to the movie until you have read the book!
By Dorothy Distefano
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