Terry Goodkind’s Wizard’s First Rule (unabridged) has stormed to the top of the fantasy charts at Audible.co.uk

1. Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind
2. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
3. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
4. The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
5. The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
6. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
7. Outcast by Michelle Paver
8. Prince Caspian by CS Lewis
9. Stone of Tears by Terry Goodkind
10. Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett

All the top ten are unabridged readings.

Kit Whitfield is an English novelist. Her first book, titled Bareback in the UK and Benighted in the US, was published by Random House in August 2006. It has subsequently been purchased by Warner Brothers for an undisclosed six-figure sum, and is currently being adapted as a film called Benighted by director Andrew Adamson.

In a recent article on the Guardian.co.uk she listed her top 10 genre-defying novels. Whitfield lists Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.

“Too good and too delightful to leave out. A fantasy novel, a historical novel, a literary jeu d’esprit? Who cares? The book is so charming, so intelligent, so gripping and potent in its unusual storyline, that I can’t be bothered to debate with anyone what genre it should be considered; I’d rather talk about how much I loved it, then go and reread it. ” said Whitfield

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell book review

Whilst many of you will be aware that there is to be a big screen production of the best-selling book by Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell no one seems to know when it’s eventually going to happen! New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. are in charge of bringing what now appears to be two films to the screen but have been beset with delays. They are now hopefully due to go into production in 2009. The screenplay for both films has been written by Clarke and Julien Fellows (Gosforth Park) which rumoured to be nothing short of brilliant. There has been no confirmation of a director for the project and whilst gossip is rife concerning casting for the films there is again no confirmation that anyone has been chosen. Some of the more interesting names being thrown around are Johnny Depp as John Uskglass and David Lynch as a contender for Director. Surely Mr. Depp will want his good friend Tim Burton behind the camera? Ravens, dark magic and period gentlemen? Sounds just his cup of tea!

The UK’s biggest audio-book web site has a fantastic array of fantasy books from all the top authors. The top 10 for May 2008 shows that Philip Pullman and Terry Pratchett transfer extremely well to audio-book - Terry Goodkind’s Wizard’s First Rule is the Editor’s Pick. The links below lead to reviews on the titles (written word not audio-book). Click on the Audible.co.uk banner on the right to download these titles today.

1. Northern Lights (Unabridged) - Philip Pullman
2. The Subtle Knife (Unabridged) - Philip Pullman
3. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (Unabridged) - Susanna Clarke
4. The Amber Spyglass (Unabridged) - Philip Pullman
5. The Hobbit (Unabridged) - JRR Tolkien
6. Once Upon a Time in the North (Unabridged) - Philip Pullman
7. Wizard’s First Rule (Unabridged) - Terry Goodkind
8. Thief of Time (Unabridged) - Terry Pratchett
9. The Colour of Magic (Unabridged) - Terry Pratchett
10. Monstrous Regiment (Unabridged) - Terry Pratchett

Audiobook downloads - Visit audible.co.uk

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke read by Simon Prebble

English magicians once amazed the known world; they had fairy servants at their command, the winds, mountains, and woods were theirs to control. But by the early 1800s they have long mislaid the ability to do magic. They can only write long, dull papers about it, while fairy servants are nothing but a fading memory. Sophisticated, witty, and ingeniously convincing, Susanna Clarke’s magisterial book weaves magic into a flawlessly complete image of historical England. She has shaped a world so thoroughly enchanting that thirty two hours leave readers pining for more.

Audiobook downloads - Visit audible.co.uk

Simon Prebble is a well-known and respected author and historian. He was born on the 13th of February, 1942. He has worked with some of the world’s finest actors and played roles in many classic stage productions. On British radio, he has been an anchor, newscaster, announcer, talk show host, and writer. Simon Prebble performs outstanding narrations, the unabridged versions of authors such as Susanna Clarke.He has an amazing command of accents and can be just about anyone: male-young and old, female-young and old, child, villain.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell book review

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell was shortlisted for Audible’s Listen of the Year, 2006.

I am currently listening to Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell on audiobook. Luckily, to start with, it is an excellent book. The audiobook is narrated by Simon Prebble and I can’t think of anybody who could possibly have done a better job of narrating this, it is spot on in every way. I had never heard of Simon Prebble before and still know little of him but will look at what other books he has read and would not hesitate in downloading another.

There is a page on the site with a few more suggested fantasy audiobooks
http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/articles/audiobooks.html