Hunting The Mist Unabridged -- Alas

Well, at last, I found a copy of The Mist Unabridged. Not the 3D version, but the old audio tape edition read by Frank Muller. An ex-library copy that came from a collector. So how did I find it? Well, it turned out not to be so hard.
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David at Betts bookstore has the amazing ability to find Stephen king books. He had posted recently that he likes helping people find books, so we sent him an email. A tough order, he acknowledged, but he might know a source. Sure enough, he came through! The tapes arrived today, with very kind instructions on how to properly transfer them to CD for personal use. So, from me, a big thanks once again to Betts bookstore. Not sure if he could ever find another copy of the Mist, but if you're looking for a particular King book then Betts is still a great place to start. http://www.bettsbooks.com/w95020ai.html
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I know, the masses are eating up the 3D edition and the movie. But I really like this edition for a couple of reasons reasons. First, it's read by Frank Muller. He was absolutely the best reader ever when it came to Stephen King. Frank reads with a clear voice that keeps a steady pace without rushing. He doesn't give long pauses or play with words, but he also doesn't ram right through it. His reading was truly unique.
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I also like this recording because it's King's words building the story, not special effects (either audio or visual) And, when it comes down to it, that's why we read Stephen King, because he has the ability to draw pictures in our minds that cameras just can't catch. As the New York Times put it, "The first sentence starts the reader's internal movie projector humming."
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Take special note of the Publishers Weekly quote. If ever there is a case for bringing this edition back, they have hit a home run. "Muller's reading is one of the best audio adaptations of king's work that has yet been done and there are moments in it that are truly frightening even without special audio effects and eerie music. Relying only on Muller's talents, Recorded Books has made a movie for the mind and given a sometimes unsettling life to one of the best horror stories of the last 25 years," Publishers Weekly.
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"King's classic tale of a nightmare invasion of monsters receives a vivid, memorable narration by Frank Muller: It's hard to stop listening to this compelling psychological thriller."
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Just an FYI, it was published in arrangement with NAL. which means that if anyone wants to write and ask that this be re-published on CD, best to contact NAL.
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Seems like Recorded Books was primarily selling to three groups in the 80's and 90's (when this was in print) 1. Libraries. 2. The Blind. 3. Lending club. They had a popular system where you could rent books on tape. Remember, audio books really didn't get super popular until the late 80's, at least as a product for mainstream sales.
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10 comments:

  1. You are the Man!!! I was begining to think I might not be able to even get a reply from anyone other that you on some way to locate a source for this amazing recording. I even tried Frank's own web site and recieved a reply from his sister who said even she didn't know where to get a copy. I have just emailed Betts Books to see if they can get me another copy, here's to hoping. Thanks again for all your help.

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  2. Hey, if Betts can't do it, email me -- I might have another source. But contact David at Betts first.

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  3. This is the quick reply I got from David at Betts.

    Dear David-

    This audio book set is extremely rare and hard to find. I was able to locate 1 copy last winter for renowned artist and King friend Michael Whelan who had himself been searching for this version for almost 7 years. Needless to say, I have none available at present. The best I can do is to put a ***WANTED*** description on my website and hope someone contacts me with a copy they are willing to sell. The one I got for Michael Whelan cost me $65. I’ll give it a try to see if I can find you one. My friend Michael Whelan I know transferred his to a CD. I will ask him if he would be willing to make a couple more copies for me. He is very busy, so it may take some time.

    David at Betts is obviously a very gracious man in his assistance with my hunt for this recording, I can't thank he or you enough.

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  4. Strange that it's such a rare item. However, the joy is in the hunt, right?

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  5. Check this out, you might have to copy and paste. I think it's the DC public library,

    http://catalog.dclibrary.org/vufind/Author/Home?author=Muller,%20Frank.

    The mist
    by King, Stephen 1947-
    Call Number: TAPE FICTION B.O.T.
    Located: Multiple Locations
    Available
    Cassette

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  6. David, from the picture it's hard to tell but are the other Skeleton Crew stories on there as well???
    -mike

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  7. Hi Mike,

    No, it is only The Mist.

    Which is good for all of us who love the audio, since the Mist somehow fell into a copyright black hole ! Thank goodness the whole book didn't go down with it.

    I really like Mullers reading of The Mist, and suspect whoever is holding that copyright has no idea what a treasure they are giving up by not selling it to audible or something like that.

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  8. Hello, I am blind and am looking for a copy of this book in any format. Can someone please help me? I would love to hear it. I emailed DAvid at Bett's Books, so I'll see what he says, but if someone can please help me out, please email me at joeconwayr@gmail.com. I would greatly appreciate it.

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  9. It's also possible to download this (and ALL audiobooks of King's works) via torrent...just search for 'Stephen King Mass Audiobook Collection'...

    Juss sayin'...;)

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  10. I have spent the last 5 years tracking down nearly EVERY book narrated by Frank Muller and restoring them via professional audio editing tools. This has been very laborious and painstaking but I would be willing to give my ENTIRE collection for a good quality copy of this book either on cd or in mp3 format. PLEASE someone contact me as I have over 140 books read by the legend himself but truly want to obtain this one to complete the collection. My email is nicholashansgary at yahoo or nicholashgary at yahoo for anyone who has this book and is willing to trade for my entite frank muller collection. I can provide proof of this collection easily and quality samples to the person who has THE MIST read by Frank Muller on either audio cassette which must work all the way throuhg, or cd or mp3

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