The Voice from the Edge, Vol. 2: Midnight in the Sunken Cathedral (Library Edition)

If you never heard Harlan narrate and bring his characters to life you are really missing out. I am a long term fan and I never tire of listing to Harlan no matter what!

I bought this CD with trepidation. Why trepidation? Because often when I've listened to an author read his own work I want to write that person and tell him/her to stick to writing. NOT in this case. Harlan Ellison has always been one of my favorites, ever since discovering the anthologies he edited: 'Dangerous Visions' and 'Again, Dangerous Visions'. I could not stop listening to the stories in this cd set. My gosh what range of voices this man has! What a delight! He really made his stories come to life. All I can say is 'thank you, Mr. Ellison! You delighted me and made me think with your work on the printed page and now you give me further pleasure via this means. Thank you for adding to my life (and I don't say that lightly). For those of you thinking of getting this cd set -- stop thinking. You deserve the treat of Mr. Ellison.

Harlan Ellison writes with an edge, to say the least - and it's an edge I've enjoyed for years.To hear him read his own stories allows you to hear the edge, though - and this provides a whole new perspective on his work. His voice was captivating from the very first moment of the first story, and lead me through material both familiar and new. His own commentary is offered at a few points in the tape - another fantastic addition.I did occasionally find the recording quality somewhat questionable, but the pleasure of hearing this master storyteller in action more than makes up for the problems.A true listening experience - I highly recommend it.

The market for Ellison's work is growing, slowly, ...There's something about picking up Ellison's work in an early or original edition that gets you closer to the author. It gives you a sense of historicity and a taste of the times when the work first hit the palate of his reading public.The better way to get this feeling is by listening to Ellison read his own work. There is no better way to get into an Ellison story than to listen to the guy read it. He's a cranky, angry, loud man with a lot of opinions and I think he is heard mostly because he makes an articulate point when he opens his mouth. His commentary comes from his heart and it shows in his delivery. When he reads his stories, he has the same kind of passion and range, but add to it his spectacular storytelling ability. This is a guy you want around your campfire one night if just to tell one ghost story to the kiddies. "Excuse me, Mr. Ellison...would you mind telling the one about the Function of Dream Sleep? The scouts'll love it."Fair bet some of the scouts will leave camp with bed wetting problems for years to come. Among the stories is the classic short story "Jefty is Five" which, in print eluded me for years. I just didn't dig the story. Once I heard Ellison read it, however, I had a Joycian epiphany and now hold it as one of the best stories ever written...scifi or otherwise. Get this collection for the car or home or wherever. You will love it.