I also read the abridged version of the count of monte cristo and absolutely loved it. Conversely, unabridged audiobooks consist of the full literary text, kept intact as originally published. An abridged version is concise and an unabridged version is elaborate even and detailed. If you dont want a detailed version of a book or an audiobook, the abridged version is what you should go forit is shorter in. Meg, jo, beth and amy are iconic figures in american literature. I read the abridged version of stranger in a strange land, but thats because i didnt know it was abridged until later. What is the difference between an abridged book and an. Unabridged vs abridged audio books, whats the difference. Many times the reasons to abridge are to save space. Simply put an unabridged audio book is read and recorded word for word. Jun 07, 2017 to abate this, many publishers will offer an abridged version of the audiobook, where the story line remains intact but certain sections are cut to shave a few hours off the recording. An abridged audiobook is a shortened version of the book. Does it matter to you if the book you read is abridged or unabridged. As an example of this you might think of a movie adaptation of a book as an abridged version of the original work.
I had to read the completely unabridged version of les miserables in high. I cant believe i missed out on 17 hours of content. So what is the difference between an unabridged and an abridged book. Aug 05, 2008 the unabridged version is difficult to get through. This is a collection of famous novels which have been shortened and slightly simplified for the general reader.
The only other possibility that i could think of in choosing an abridged version is if i am a huge fan of the narrator of the abridged version and dislike the narrator of the unabridged recording. However, i do think that abridged books are good because they introduce the book. Unabridged books practically cost more than abridged books. The editor abridged the manuscript by cutting out two chapters. Ok people i need your help, i was keen to read the book before watching the movies as usually the books are better right i lodged on to itunes and bought the abridged version that is 9 hours of narrative long, it was awesome, i loved it, so when i came to download book number 2 i discovered there were 2 versions, abridged at 9 hours approx and unabridged at 20 hours the same is true. Unabridged audiobook voice overs the voice can make the book. Abridged audiobooks are shorter versions of the original text. Diary of a young girl includes passages in which frank writes about her own anatomy leading to a call for the books removal from a. Nov 14, 2019 simply put, an abridged audiobook is a shortened version of the full text. I recently read an abridged version of the count of monte cristo because i was curious about what they cut out to make the thing so slim.
I accidentally purchased the abridged version what did you love best about small sacrifices. An unabridged audio book on compact disc has not been compromised in any way. If you have been to book store, you might have come across the books called, readers digest. There can be a lot of debate about abridged books vs unabridged. Thanks to kiley reid for stopping by to sign copies of her debut. Unabridged versions of books are popular among those with poor eyesight or reading skills who wish to appreciate the entirety of the work, and the abridged. This abridged edition of the book of blessings has been prepared for use when blessings are celebrated outside mass or outside of the church. Of course, to some, the fluff is what makes a book great. However, there are many classic books that are around pages. If you want to purchase accompanying audio to listen with, just buy the unabridged version and it should be a match. Nov 04, 2011 the only time i will listen to an abridged audiobook is if it is part of a series and the only version available is the abridged.
Having trouble knowing if the book is unabridged or not. Even then, if an unabridged version is subsequently released, ill exchange the abridged for unabridged. The abridged version only has the most important excerpts that retain the most salient points that. What is the difference between abridged and unabridged. The price is different because the unabridged version has so much more than the abridged. In this connection, there are two general classifications of these audio books namely the abridged and the other being the unabridged book. When i first started listening to audio books i was a little confused about some of the terminology. For those people, perhaps the unabridged versions are more suited. Im not talking about the fictional abridged version of morgensternss book, im talking about an actual abridgment of goldmens book. Ive heard that dumas got paid per word so made the book as long as possible to maximize profit. An abridged version can be quite a bit shorter than the unabridged. Abridged definition is shortened or condensed especially by the omission of words or passages.
However, thats not to say that abridged audiobooks no longer have a place in the industry. Abridged definition of abridged by the free dictionary. How to choose from abridged vs unabridged audiobooks. Whitney otto tried listening to the audio version of her book how to make an american quilt, which had been condensed to fit into a. He is the founding director of ariel ministries and a much. Unabridged is where nothing of the story is left out. This can make the book more enjoyable and set a more preferred pace. An unabridged book, speech, or article is in its original form and has not been made shorter. What is the difference between abridged and unabridged audiobooks. Little women, unabridged 9780486410234 by louisa may alcott.
This would mean that very few books are actually abridged. The unabridged version is a lot longer, and doesnt really add anything to the story. Where an unabridged audio book would take maybe twelve cds, the abridged version might take only four. However, if youve got a struggling reader or one who is completely disinterested in a given book, id still rather him read an abridged version and have the gist of the book than to know nothing of it at all. The swiss family robinson read by jonathan keeble abridged. There are a lot of unneccessary descriptions and if youre not completely committed it would be very easy to put it down and never pick it back up. By all means read this book but skip the abridged version. We should try to leave the world a better place than when we entered it. The numbering for blessings in this edition varies from the unabridged, but blessings remain essentially in the same order. I definitely think the unabridged version is great.
One main advantage is that they take less time to listen to. Abridged version synonyms, abridged version pronunciation, abridged version translation, english dictionary definition of abridged version. Rites of blessing during mass and those celebrated in the church have been omitted. I read the full version first, and i remember reading my friends copy while we were camping. Unabridged meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Unabridged definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Popular abridged books meet your next favorite book. Jun 12, 2018 the audiobook industry is now asking for unabridged books almost exclusively shari nakagawa, ebook and audiobook manager, orca book publishers.
The abridging was done with a broadsword and not a scalpel ruining a good book. An abridged version is shorter in length and detail compared to an unabridged version of a book, audiobook, dictionary, etc. He has the fulllength book, various abridged versions of the book, the video, the cd, the cdrom and the dvd. When time warner releases an unabridged version of gone with the wind this fallofficials in charge of author margaret mitchells estate wouldnt allow the novel to be cutit will run.
Contentwise, the unabridged book is the audio book having the most content. Its just the original view of the author, but the abridged. Dharma has plans for a 300page abridged version of the book. Thats why i think reading the abridged can make a wonderful introduction for reading the full version later. The unabridged version of the book is read, in its entirety, exactly the way the author wrote the book and exactly the way it was originally published. The only time i will listen to an abridged audiobook is if it is part of a series and the only version available is the abridged. Apr 14, 20 before selecting which audiobook youre interested in purchasing, consider whether you are purchasing an unabridged or an abridged version of that same book. What is abridged and unabridged audiobooks the difference is the length of the book. Judah benhur does experience a spiritual revival which comes in the last 100 pages of the book. The secret garden sterling unabridged classics burnett, frances hodgson, mckowen, scott on.
If different versions of the source exist, use this element to state which version is being cited. Though dissimilar in personality, their unwavering loyalty, friendship and adventures have captivated readers for years. Unabridged books are best for the recreational type of readers while the abridged books are best for students. War and peace unabridged the greatest novel ever written. Abridged audiobooks exist for the purpose of quickening the listening time for the audience. That said, a friend once called audible with a sob story about purchasing the wrong version by mistake. The history and current decline of abridged audiobooks book. I have read it abridged and unabridged and took french classes just so i could read it in french. It is that way so that people can get the gist of the story but not have extra details. An abridged book is where parts of the book are left out. And yet, as i am now an adult, i wonder if i would be better served picking up an unabridged copy.
To abate this, many publishers will offer an abridged version of the. Abridged audiobooks can be shortened between 35% and 75%. As individuals, we can make a difference, whether it is to probe the secrets of nature, to clean up the environment and work for peace and social justice, or to nurture the inquisitive, vibrant spirit of the young by being a mentor and a guide. I was upset however, that i bought the abridged version.
Youll get the main idea of the book just not all the smaller details. Apparently that is another work that gets criticized for excess descriptions and verbose language. Abridged version definition of abridged version by the. Abridged versus unabridged audiobooks advantages and disadvantages of abridged audiobooks. If done right, the themes, tones, and mood should all line up with the original text. Mar 11, 2014 thats why i think reading the abridged can make a wonderful introduction for reading the full version later.
Written by swiss pastor johann david wyss, it begins with a shipwreck. However, if youve got a struggling reader or one who is completely disinterested in a given book, id still rather him read an abridged version and. The unabridged would be a great deal longer than 2 12 hours and sadly, it has not been made yet. This is a great version to use with younger kids it has larger print and illustrations on almost every page. The majority of our listeners opt for the full version but others feel that an abridged audiobook is easier to handle. Unabridged definition, not abridged or shortened, as a book. Simply put, an abridged audiobook is a shortened version of the full text. What is an abridged book dec 27, why would anybody bother to read an abridged version of a book. It is a true representation of how the author wrote the story. Audible exchanged anyway even though the unabridged edition was 2 credits.
I was not aware of what the differences were between abridged or unabridged audio books. The count of monte cristo abridged vs unabridged showing 6. Im wondering if anyone who has read either this edition, some other abridged edition, the unabridged edition, or any combination thereof, could enlighten me as to what exactly id be missing by reading the abridged version. Difference between abridged and unabridged books difference. Youll get the main idea of the book just not all the smaller. A classic tale of adventure and survival, the swiss family robinson has been a bestseller ever since it was published in 1812, just over 200 years ago. Unabridged books are best for recreational type of readers while the abridged books are best for students.
Some may feel like a novel is taking a while when it otherwise wouldnt. Reading an abridged version of a classic as an elementary or middle. Benhur is a man driven to reclaim his family and position. Audible will do this so long as its the same number of credits. Unabridged books are more complete longer in content compared to the abridged books having simpler shorter content. Swiss family robinson, the unabridged naxos audiobooks. The unabridged audio version represents the complete work as the author. Itunes problem, abridged or unabridged stieg larsson. These are hardbound copies which contain a series of novels. K is for killer by sue grafton, i is for innocent by sue grafton, the count of monte cristo by alexandre dumas, mobydick or.
Do you prefer unabridged or abridged version of book. I usually dont advocate for the abridged versions, but victor hugo is the exception. An unabridged piece of writing, for example a book or article, is complete and not. Some examples of different versions include editions, directors cuts, and abridged or unabridged versions. Diary of a young girl includes passages in which frank writes about her own anatomy leading to a call for the books removal from a 7thgrade classroom. I lodged on to itunes and bought the abridged version that is 9 hours of narrative long, it was awesome, i loved it, so when i came to download book number 2 i discovered there were 2 versions, abridged at 9 hours approx and unabridged at 20 hours the same is true for all of them. He stumbles along and seems to be at the mercy of forces beyond his control.
The unabridged version is something like 1200 pages, but the abridged version left out alot of things that i thought were essential. Do you feel like you are missing something if you read the abridged version. Unabridged definition of unabridged by the free dictionary. With some abridged versions theres not a whole lot cut out of the book, but in this case the abridged version was about 9 hours long, while the unabridged version is over 26 hours. I very much enjoyed reading swimming in the dark, which beautifully captures the exhilaration of sexual awakening and the sexually charged atmosphere of first love, with its yearning and desire, but also the fear and shame of living a duplicitous life, when the warmth of love gives way to feelings of sorrow, shame and despair.
Viewing 6 posts 1 through 6 of 6 total author posts february 23, 2009 at 1. The digressions really hammer home one of the major themes of the novel, providence versus chance. New introductions commissioned from todays top writers and scholars. Another advantage is that some of the extraneous, consuming material is omitted. A written work may be abridged to make it more accessible to a wider audience. I read the book years ago and it was much longer and more detailed. In this regard, audio books both the unabridged and the abridged versions are becoming handy.
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