Sandman Audio Day

posted by Neil Gaiman




Today is the day that the first adaptation of Sandman is released. 
It's the first three graphic novels, PRELUDES AND NOCTURNES, THE DOLL'S HOUSE and DREAM COUNTRY, released, as  full-cast audio drama, on Audible. The adaptation was written and directed by audio genius Dirk Maggs, and only it's taken 28 years to happen -- since Dirk first pitched Sandman to BBC Radio 4 in 1992. (They said no.)

For years, blind and partially sighted people, or people who for whatever reason couldn't read comics but wanted to still get access to the stories, have asked me if there would ever be an audiobook of the Sandman books. It took a long time, but this is the closest we could come to giving the world the original graphic novels, bumps and all. You don't have the art, alas, but I hope that the performances and the music give you something that translates it to another place.
It should be out now on all the English-language versions of Audible. There should be versions in other languages coming relatively soon.
(It will be out in a few months on CD -- https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/title/50614/alt  -- and I like that they begin their entry: This content is not for kids. It is for mature audiences only. Just like the original graphic novels, this audio adaptation contains explicit language and graphic violence, as well as strong sexual content and themes. Discretion is advised.
Sandman was always "For Mature Readers" and this is no different.
Here's an interview with me (and an extract from "The Sound of Her Wings") at the EW site: https://ew.com/books/neil-gaiman-sandman-audible-adaptation-netflix-show/
So many talented actors and voices are involved. 
I'm the narrator -- often reading descriptions of places or characters I wrote in the original scripts long ago for artists to draw, which Dirk has cunningly snuck into the script.
There are hundreds of characters in these eleven hours, brought to you by 68 actors (well, 67 actors and me):







Labels:  Audible, Sandman

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Published on July 15, 2020 06:09
Comments Showing 1-19 of 19 (19 new)    post a comment »
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message 1: by Jessie (new)

Jessie Congratulations on having the first of hopefully the entire Sandman audiobooks released! It sounds like a great cast of people and I wish you and this project all the success in the world.


message 2: by Eddie (new)

Eddie Kristan I can't wait to listen to this, Neil! I loved your audio drama adaptations of Neverwhere and Good Omens.


Georgiana-Laura Gheorghe That's great news.
Congratulations!


message 4: by Megan (new)

Megan I started listening last night and I love it! But I can't find it on Goodreads - does anyone know how it is listed?


message 5: by Stella Armúa (new)

Stella Armúa I'm so excited, I just buy it and I can't wait to go out from work to start to listen!!!


message 6: by Dionyshs (new)

Dionyshs Megan wrote: "I started listening last night and I love it! But I can't find it on Goodreads - does anyone know how it is listed?"

It's here, but the entry needs some additional love -- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...


message 7: by Kevin (new)

Kevin Can you read it while reading the comic book?


message 8: by Frank (new)

Frank Thornton Congratulations Mr. Gaiman!


message 9: by Terry (new)

Terry Congratulations, sir! I’m enjoying it immensely.


message 10: by Yash (new)

Yash Gadodia cant wait to enjoy it, sir!


message 11: by ALbi (new)

ALbi It is really good!


message 12: by Megan (new)

Megan Thank you Dionyshs! It seems to gradually be getting filled in! :)


message 13: by Dave (new)

Dave Mercel What a fabulous listen! I am wondering when it is too soon to go through it all again, perhaps this weekend.
Can we get a thousand people to dream of Volume 2?


message 14: by [deleted user] (new)

I love everything but Kat Dennings. Probably because I have always had Death's voice in my head and it isn't her nasal cartoonish vaguely Valley Girl persona. Plus, her TV show, "Two Broke Girls" is tripe so that is influencing me as well.


message 15: by Amy (new)

Amy I've been following along with the trade paperback. It's fun getting this added dimension to an old favorite.


message 16: by Imris (new)

Imris A job gorgously done, thank you immencely! I very much hope the rest in the series will be made into audio, too!


message 17: by Paul (new)

Paul It's so good! When is the next installment scheduled for release? I'm on my second listening and can't wait for the rest!


message 18: by Nikki (new)

Nikki I was worried that it would somehow tarnish my memories of the comics; it's been a long time since I've read them. But the audiobook was creepy and alluring and frightening and magical, just like the comics were. I loved everything about it, and now I'm hesitating to start a new book because I'm still enjoying the feelings I got from The Sandman.


message 19: by Kelsey (new)

Kelsey I'm looking to dive into the sandman series, but I'm not sure which "version" to pick! There are so many different editions out there like the actual comics, omnibusses, the absolute editions, the paperback books, and the new set coming out in September on Amazon. Which would be the easiest and cheapest to get my hands on? I've seen bad reviews about the binding of the omnibus versions. Would like to maybe do the comics but I've never collected comics before so I don't even know where to start!


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