The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Anyone can volunteer...

(0 stars)

Nicholas19

@Sorker, for your information, RuthieG (a British volunteer) is currently making a solo version of this same book, so if you don't like this recording, I'd suggest you listen to that version when it is completed. You wrote: "The self-casting structure of LibriVox requires more, not less, self-discipline in making appropriate decisions. I expect any performance (movie, PBS, radio play or LibriVox) of this book to cast British males to perform the roles of British male characters, such as narrator Doctor Watson." This is not how LibriVox works at all. Many projects are solos, so obviously a woman could end up reading male parts and a man could end up reading female parts. Everyone is welcome to volunteer and we don't discriminate based on accent, reading style or national origin. As already mentioned, if you don't like something in the LibriVox catalogue, you're welcome to record your own version. All these books are made by volunteers and are available for free, so I suggest you understand the time and effort that is put into making these audiobooks. Nothing can be achieved by saying LibriVox volunteers should have done this or that. This recording is completed and we accept multiple versions, so if you don't like it, listen to another version or make your own. Everything depends on personal initiative. LibriVox volunteers don't have to live up to anyone's personal preferences.

"A" for effort works for me.

(5 stars)

Big Ron C

Ya know, giving just one star to a poor performance is OK, if one feels that way, but sheesh, let's do it with a little class without being caustic or insulting. A new reader has heard themselves first before we come along and inevitably they'd be their own worst critic and maybe even a wee tad embarrassed to boot. Hopefully they'll practice a little and give it another try, maybe even armed with a little encouragement and some sage advice instead of unproductive, neanderthal, snide remarks. This is the beauty of librivox, the world is a stage and we are all players. Better to be unskilled and try (that's how we learn!!)than to be a slacker and contribute nothing.

Perhaps instead of complaining ...

(5 stars)

LeGrande

... why not make your own recording for Librivox? If you believe you can do better, then I'm sure the people at Librivox would appreciate your contribution. "The Red-Headed League" is well-read, no pun intended. I'd normally rank this 4 stars, but I'm ranking it higher to pull up the average because one subpar reading (which isn't THAT subpar, it's just not acted like you imagine many Holmes recordings) shouldn't curse the entire collection.

I think we've lost the point of these reviews

(5 stars)

mikezane

There's a lot of back and forth on this book. So, let me update my review to be just that, a review. This book is a compilation of Sherlock Holmes stories. Red headed league is about a bank robbery, speckled band is about a murdering uncle, and in most of them, Sherlock Holmes gets his man. Sir Arther Conan Doyle does a nice job of drawing the reader in with each mystery. Regarding the recordings - they are all fine, no tinny sounds or feedback, but the first chapter is read with someone whose reading style is choppy and hard to follow. I couldn't listen to the first chapter, but since this is not a chapter book, I simply dropped it from my playlist. The rest are great. I would have rated it lower if it was a chapter book because it would have meant lost story line. Regarding all the comments about quality, an experienced Librivox volunteer told me that these stories are supposed to sound like a friend reading from their easy chair. This recording accomplishes that. So don't be intimidated by the negative reviews and give the story a chance. You won't be disappointed.

Different strokes for different folks

(5 stars)

jxchristopher

Yes, 5 stars. Why? Because the stories are truly classics and I do give stars for effort. If you're looking for professional readings with accent- and sex-matching performances, this may not be your cup of tea. If you're looking for free, public domain recordings of Doyle's wonderful adventures, lovingly offered by amateur, volunteer readers, this is a worthy example of many such by LibriVox. What a wonderful time to be alive. To each according to his likes...

(4 stars)

Lynn

Thanks to all the readers and to Librivox for giving us the adventures of Sherlock Holmes I have this whole.collection and it is nice to.just sit back and listen to them being read by someone.

Thank you to Conan Doyle, readers, and helpful reviewers.

(5 stars)

free LeonardPeltier

I just want to support other reviewers who had the courage to correct reviewers who seem to enjoy negatively criticizing the reading efforts of volunteers. Thank you. When I read reviews, I’m looking for info about the writing, not the reading unless it regards technical issues. (I can decide for myself if I wish to continue listening to a reader I find difficult). I would prefer that those who don’t like readers accents, etc., just DO NOT SUBMIT such comments. Get a piece of paper and write down all your frustrations for your eyes only. It will help you feel better than burdening strangers with your unpleasantness. Thank you.

One I could not get into

(0 stars)

benefitsingers

First of all to some extent I agree with a lot of what is being said here. I realize it is free and I do appreciate people's efforts; however, if I did a recording (and I am guessing I would sound terrible) I think I would want to know. I tried to listen to this book and could not get in to it because of the narration. I also think that I might not like Sherlock Holmes. Anyway, It is sad to see people arguing here but I think the one person makes a good point. It stinks when I look forward to listening to a book only to find the reader does not grab my attention. Of course some people just love certain readers, that I do not. I don't like droning and I like readers that read with enthusiasm. Accents can sometimes be difficult for me as well, but if the reader has an accent but reads like a voice actor, I like it. For example Lars Rolander has a strong accent, but I love his voice. Maybe someone else might not. It is all relative. I think honesty in these reviews is very important. I hate to say this but I also think if some readers are really terrible they need to know so they can volunteer their efforts doing something else at Librivox. JMHO