I’m planning to have an audiobook made of my upcoming novel, Peter’s Angel, and I am toying with a new idea I’d like some opinions on. I’d love to do full-cast but don’t have the resources to coordinate it right now, so I thought of a possible alternative - multiple narrators.

The book cycles through several POV characters (four guys and two girls), and the multiple POVs play an important part in the story. I was thinking of perhaps, instead of having one narrator read the entire thing, contracting a narrator for each POV character. Each scene from that character’s POV would be read by the same narrator.

The potential benefits to this are variety, easy distinction between scene switches, and a unique flavor for each POV character. (I could even go so far as to seek out some characters with accents.) It also wouldn’t be insanely hard to edit together (as opposed to full-cast). The possible con is disjointedness… The book is written in 3rd person, so the “voice” of the narration does not change between scenes, just the perspective, so switching narrators may not add as much flavor as I’m hoping. There is also the question of each narrator portraying dialog of the other characters differently.

I do plan to run a test chapter before committing, but I wanted to garner some opinions on the idea. Has anyone seen this done before? Thoughts on whether or not it would add enough to the novel to be worth it? Any one interested in picking up a character? (Could use an Irish accent for Edwin if I can find somebody with one...)

I love the idea...if it works! I would love to help you! I don't know if we have any recording equipment or how you are planning on doing this, but I would love to help if I can. I might be able to do an accent depending on what kind of accent you are looking for.

I'm so glad you like the idea! I shall need two female narrators, and only know of one for sure, so I shall definitely consider you. I'd have to hear your reading voice and see that your recording equipment is suitable, but we'll look into it. Which reminds me... I'd love to know if anyone is interested in this! Because this is a professional audiobook your acceptance will be contingent on your voice talent and recording quality, but I'll consider anyone.

Some additional thoughts on the general subject:

Whilst pondering this some more I thought of something I should add… Although the narrative is in 3rd person, it’s extremely internal. The book is very contemplative and there is a great deal of characters analyzing and reflecting on the situation. I have some POV characters who will go for whole scenes hardly saying anything but commentating on the goings on. I’ve actually found that if I don’t include enough “internal dialog” I lose the sense of POV and the scene becomes flat and distanced.

So that being the case, multiple narrators might add a lot of flavor even though it’s in 3rd because the narrative is very personal.

*pops up hand* As soon as you mentioned this I really wanted to have a go, not sure that I've got the voice for it though (or equipment of good enough quality).

Personally (to change my mind from my Twitter reply, haha) I like the idea of different narrators I agree that it'd add a simple way of distinguishing when POVs switch and give each character an added flavor

Sounds awesome, Aubrey! We'll see what you decide on this and how it will all work out.

*is glad to have Vili's support* There's no harm in giving it a shot! See what you've got for equipment and do a test-run (I can send you a scene of the book if you want). It might not work, but there's no harm in trying. Heads up, though - I don't need as many female narrators as I do male. I believe I need 4 male and 2 female, plus if possible I'd like to have an extra narrator to do front & back matter, chapter headings, and scenes from miscellaneous characters. That extra narrator should probably be male, since all the "bonus" scenes are from male POV's, I am pretty sure.

I'm so glad you like the idea, though.

I shall have to see if I can find any guys who'd be interested I do know a guy down at school who can some great accents...

Ooh...! I'm not sure on accents, but it's a thought. If I did that, I'd have Edwin with an Irish accent. I would probably keep all the others as American just for simplicity and realism, but I might divide regionally so there's a slight difference between Alaidians and Revalians. Some of the Alaidians speak Italian, but I don't think that would translate to an Italian accent...

And I might change it from Italian to something else. Italian just sounded right, but if I want another accent I might change it. Anyway.

Oh! Oh! Oh!
I want in! I want in!
In fact, given enough time to work with my book on accents, I might be able to perfect my Irish accent.

Drat. I am so counted out of this project.

However I love the idea of multiple narrators. I have listened to an audio version of the Bible with multiple narrators, and it is very good to listen to; almost like a movie only without the image. My favourite audiobooks are actually a series read aloud by only one author though, and that is because his voice is so unique, he could do very distinct voices for each character, so that you knew which ones were talking. (Another narrator I know of did the accents and all. Now idea how...)

So yes! I think this a marvellous idea, no matter how put out I am that I can't put my hand up for it.

Oh! And Brendan has an awesome Irish accent.

*grins happily* Thanks so much for your excitement, Seer! When I'm ready to start organizing the cast, I shall bug you for some voice samples.

Hmm... maybe if I write a book that includes a character with an Aussie accent, mon Bushy will want to help then? I'm so glad you like the idea, though, lovely!

I'm with Bushy here, it's a fantastic idea!

I love the idea, Aubrey!

I have the equipment and the love for voice acting, so I am available, if you would like me to give it a go.

I can't wait to listen to this one. POV Narrators is an awesome concept and will add a lot of depth to the audio book, I feel.

Oh, absolutely! I would love to have you try out! I don't need as many female narrators as I need male, but I'll have more people try out than I need, if possible. I'll be sending an email out this week, Lord willing.

Yay! *claps*

The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan had two narrators, and it worked great.

I have always found that I enjoyed audio books with multiple narrators more than with just a single one. I guess it comes down to personal preference, but I feel it ads more depth when listening.