Unabridged Versus Abridged Audio Book

Unabridged versus adbridged audio book. How do you decide which type of audio book to purchase? Which will you enjoy the most? Let's start by learning the details about each type.

Most books are written to be read silently and would take many hours to read aloud. Hence, when most audio books are being prepared for release, the book text will need to be shortened, or abridged.

A four hour audio book could be the abridged version of a book that would take nearly 20 hours to read aloud. For instance, in Diana Gabaldon's book Fiery Cross, an original passage had 4919 words in the unabridged audio version, but the abridged version passage had 102 words.

How does this happen? The abridged version could be achieved by removing the back story from a fiction piece. Parts of the plot could also end up on the cutting room floor. When there is a need to cut that much content, all but the critical elements are up for grabs. In non-fiction books, content will also be lost. This could include examples or graphics. Although many books are released in abridged audio book form, some popular titles are released in both abridged and unabridged.

What is an unabridged audio book? An unabridged audio book is an audio book where every word of the original text is read aloud. These books are especially of interest to people who have poor eyesight or are blind.

If both versions are released, the unabridged version will likely cost more than the abridged version. Here are some examples of audio CDs that show costs and times that vary:

Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
Unabridged Audio Book List Price - $36.95 - 11 hours
Abridged Audio Book List Price - $24.95 - 5 hours 9 minutes

The 6th Target by James Patterson
Unabridged Audio Book List Price - $39.98 - 8.25 hours
Abridged Audio Book List Price - $29.98 - 6 hours 20 minutes

Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson
Unabridged Audio Book List Price - $49.95 - 21.5 hours
Abridged Audio Book List Price - $29.95 - 7 hours

So, back to the question, unabridged or abridged audio book, which is better? It comes down to a personal style issue. If you want a quicker version of the book, purchase the abridged audio book. Want to experience the full text of the book the way the author intended? Pick up an unabridged copy. While many traditionalists favor the unabridged audio books, there are many consumers that want the cheaper, abridged versions so publishers are quick to get them to the market.