Abridged vs. Unabridged – Understanding the Differences

Category: Books

here is no doubt that audio books are becoming more and more popular, and that means that audio book buyers have a great many questions about this technology and how it works. One of the most frequently asked questions concerning audio books and audio book technology is the difference between abridged and unabridged versions of novels and nonfiction works.

When buyers of audio books see the word “abridged,” it simply means that material from the original print book has been left out of the audio version. There are many reasons that material would be extracted from the source material in creating the audio book, but perhaps the biggest consideration is one of time. A typical book can run between ten and thirty hours in length, and many consumers simply do not have this much time to devote to a single work. For commercial reasons, artistic reasons and other considerations, many works of fiction and nonfiction are offered in abridged versions. Many audio book buyers prefer these condensed works, and when done well this editing can enhance the value of the audio book.

An unabridged audio book, on the other hand, is one that has not had a single word removed. The unabridged audio book will contain the entire original work with no deletions, omissions or editing done. As one would expect, the unabridged version of a lengthy novel can be quite lengthy in itself, often running thirty hours or more.

Once audio book buyers understand the difference between the abridged and unabridged versions of their favorite works the choice of which to purchase will become a lot easier. In essence this choice boils down to one of personal preference, with time considerations a major factor as well. It is a good idea for the consumer to check the running time for both the abridged and unabridged versions of the book in question. With those running times in mind the buyer can ask if he or she has enough time to devote to the unabridged version of the novel or nonfiction work. Time considerations are important, whether one is discussing a traditional paper book or a book in audio format.

The skill of the editing staff doing the abridging is an important consideration as well. Since most buyers will not be familiar with the editing process, it is a good idea to read several independent reviews of the abridged version of the book in question. An audio book that has been skillfully and painstakingly abridged will retain the essence of the original work while enhancing the listening experience of the reader. A poorly abridged audio book can leave the listener wanting more and feeling a yearning for the full unabridged version.