Selections from Dreamsongs 3: Selections from Wild Cards and More Stories from Martin's Later Years: Unabridged Selections [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

George R.R. Martin (Author, Commentary), Various (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2007

Dubbed “the American Tolkien” by Time magazine, #1 New York Times bestselling author George R. R. Martin is a giant in the field of fantasy literature and one of the most exciting storytellers of our time. Now he delivers a rare treat for listeners: a compendium of his shorter works, collected into three stunning volumes, that offers fascinating insight into his journey from young writer to award-winning master.

Whether writing about werewolves, wizards, or outer space, George R. R. Martin is renowned for his versatility and expansive talent, highlighted in this dazzling collection.  Included here in Volume III are acclaimed stories such as the World Fantasy Award winner “The Skin Trade” as well as the first novella in the Ice and Fire universe, “The Hedge Knight,” plus two never-before-published screenplays. Featuring extensive author commentary, Dreamsongs, Volume III, is an invaluable chronicle of a writer at the height of his creativity–and an unforgettable listening experience for fans old and new.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George R.R. Martin sold his first story in 1971 and has been writing professionally since then. He spent ten years in Hollywood as a writer-producer, working on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and television pilots that were never made. In the mid '90s he returned to prose, his first love, and began work on his epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. He has been in the Seven Kingdoms ever since. Whenever he's allowed to leave, he returns to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he lives with the lovely Parris, a big white dog called Mischa, and two cats named Augustus and Caligula, who think they run the place.

From AudioFile

[EditorÕs Note: The following is a combined review of DREAMSONGS, VOLUMES I-III.]--George R.R. Martin has covered a great deal of ground in his career. If proof is needed, look no further than this three-volume audio retrospective, which contains unabridged stories in the science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres. Each section of the audiobook covers a period in MartinÕs career and is introduced by Martin himself, who reads a lengthy essay brimming with biographical and story-related details. Excepting his earliest work, thereÕs not a weak story in the lot, and each one is well matched with a top-notch narrator. Some standouts include Mark BramhallÕs performance of the famous science-fiction horror story ÒSandkings,Ó Roy DotriceÕs disturbing reading of ÒThe Pear-Shaped Man,Ó Emily Janice CardÕs just right ÒThe Ice Dragon,Ó and Eric DaviesÕs ÒThe Hedge Knight,Ó which is a prequel to MartinÕs bestselling Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series. S.D.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Random House Audio; Unabridged edition (November 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739357166
• ISBN-13: 978-0739357163
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.7 x 5.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,316,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Uneven, as expected. Great that is has different voice actors, recommended!, October 20, 2008

By 

G. Guthrie "fiction book collector" (columbus, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Selections from Dreamsongs 3: Selections from Wild Cards and More Stories from Martin's Later Years: Unabridged Selections (Audio CD)

This is a selection of stories read by various authors, based off The Dreamsongs collection. George R. R. Martin provides three sections of commentary for each of the three sections. In fact the first section, which is teleplays in the paper collection, is just commentary by Martin for about 30 minutes. He also adds some commentary on the section Doing the Wild Card Shuffle and The Heart in Conflict. The last one isn't that exciting but the first commentary talks all about his Wild card anthologies that he edits and how it got started. All of the information in the commentaries was really invaluable information pertaining to Martin the writer.

The audio commentary was done pretty well. It is always a bonus when you get separate authors per story, as we get here. When the protagonist was an old man we got a voice that was old. When the protagonist was female we got a female voice. There was one story "The Skin Trade" that was told from two different perspectives, one male and one female. At first it was rough going to follow along, but as it got further into the story it got easier to understand. This was a hiccup in an otherwise pretty good job of voice acting for this collection.

The stories were mostly pretty good, but The Wild Card stories were average. I got a re-read in here with "The Hedge Knight" which is a very good novella. "The Skin Trade", which I haven't read before was an excellent horror/mystery story. While stories like "Under Siege" and "Portraits of His Children" were both solid stories. All-in-all this was above average work and fun to listen to.