Let me set the scene: I'm a huge Emily Rodda fan (Enid , Edith and Emily - they got my back) and had read through her Deltora Quest series multiple times when younger. Now one of the perks of being an artist is being able to listen to whatever I want while I work, and I found if I could find the audio version of a book, I could quite literally 'read' the whole thing two or three times a month (I read the Great Divorce eleven times last year alone).
So now I'm a big collector of Audio Books. My prize jewel is still Patrick Stewart reading The Last Battle - is there any better way to fall asleep?
As far as the Internet was concerned, however, no such thing as a 'Deltora Quest Audio Book' existed. Wikipedia made no mention of it, Google was empty, all the Audio Book websites were pessimistic and even Emily Rodda's own website confirmed it. Apparently after 30 countries and 8 million copies it had been made into an anime series, before an Audio Book was even considered. Well, the Internet had never failed me before, so I trusted it.
Then, about a year ago, I found a copy of 'Return to Del' (the final book) in audio format hidden in the back room of Angus & Robertson. It was even read by Ron Haddrick who *squee* sounds just like Patrick Stewart!
The woman at the store said it had been sitting there for about six months, well after it had gone out of print. According to her no other book store would have it, and that it was probably the last purchasable copy in Australia (the only country in which it was released). In the months that followed, I began to agree with her.
The local library chain had a couple which were sent across, and I managed to find one more at the back of a similar book store. Stonnington Informational Services and Monash University Library each had another. I was getting close now.
ABC Audio and Scholastic Australia remained tight lipped, and even Ron Haddrick didn't list it among any biography. Most book stores had never heard of it, and everywhere else said it was out of print and 'unattainable'. I rung companies, searched databases and emailed online stores. To almost no avail.
A government program called Library Link provided the answer. It allowed me to track the remaining books across Australia.
Three months ago I ordered one over from the Eastern Regional Library Corporation, and just today I picked it up. The final piece. I think I am now one of maybe 20 people to have the full collection. It's very satisfying.
I finally have the full collection after a ridiculous amount of trouble - I just hope they're not terrible.
im not sure if ive ever herd you so enthusiastic. I was looking for some audio books online last year, especially of cs lewis and found nothing. do you buy yours mostly or download them.
ReplyDeleteI get told off if I draw for four hours straight, but if I listen to a book I might not feel so guilty. speaking of books my sister demanded I finish the harry potter series, shoving the half blood prince in my hands she said, "this better be finished in three days!"
Ive never heard of deltora quest, is it enchanted?
I've now got a massive collection of C.S. Lewis which I collected from all over the place. iTunes is a good place to start, they have LOTS of audio books - even C.S. Lewis.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I go to Borders at Doncaster - that has a good range, although physical audio books tend to be VERY expensive.
However, if you want something a bit more specific (Like the rare John Cleese version of Screwtape Letters) then you might need to try BitTorrent or the library. Very hard to find.
I love the Harry Potter series, and they just got better and better - but the only way I was able to read them (almost three times now) is because I found them on audio book. It's about three and a half days worth of listening! Half blood prince is like twenty hours long alone. I pretty much illustrated the entire Stumped book while listening to Harry Potter. Thank goodness for it, or I would have gone mad with boredom.
Even though I love Stephen Fry, may I recommend the Jim Dale version?
Deltora Quest is like a simpler, more innocent version of Harry Potter. Lots more riddles.
I wouldn't say enchanted, as such. More... charming? It's easily as good as the Rowan of Rin series, and those were GREAT.
thanks for recomendations, i expect audio books would be expensive, my audio bible read by max maclean was heaps....
ReplyDeleteborders here I come
oh and im yet to check out silent knights because I like to take time and read properly and give thoughtfull comments, becasue they are such thoughtfull posts. Well i have to go get ready for work.
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ReplyDeleteThat’s Too nice, when it comes in india hope it can make a Rocking place for youngster.. hope that come true.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree Too much, Anonymous, when it comes in India I too hope in makes a Rocking place.
ReplyDeleteAnd Jen, don't feel any obligation to catch up on the Silent Knight reading - I mean we are talking thousands of words here. It's a lot of work.
Just start reading again this Friday.
Awesome! Congrats on completing the collection! Tell me how they are so I can give 'em a listen.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there is an audio book on lockpicking.
ReplyDeleteHello. And Bye.
ReplyDeleteHaha, glad you could stop by.
ReplyDeletelucky, i got them all (Except dragon's nest) out from the local library and ripped to pc
ReplyDeleteGoing back a few years I listened to the audio books for those long car trips from Sydney to the Snowy Mtns and was always enchanted by the music that appears throughout the audio book at the end of each cd. I stumbled upon this blog trying to find a copy of the music, because I find it has a striking resemblance to a recently released song called 'All of the Lights'. I don't know if the versions you have are the same I heard all those years ago, but I presume you've listened to them; do you also see a strong similarity between the two?
ReplyDeleteEbay has a very rare deltora quest audio book collection listed today.
ReplyDelete