Audio

Simon & Schuster Audio has given us a holiday gift: an unabridged version of “Angela’s Ashes,” Frank McCourt’s unforgettable autobiography (10 cassettes, 15 hours, $55). Like the abridgment released earlier this year (before Simon & Schuster came to its senses), this is read by the author, who recalls a bleak childhood in Ireland with stark honesty and bitter humor.

McCourt won a Pulitzer for the book, and here his skill as a writer is matched by equally vibrant narrative know-how. His story begins in the 1930s and continues until he is 19. It was a time when fate dealt harsh realities to adults, and their children helped carry the load. McCourt presents his world in all its Dickensian bleakness but without complaint. Indeed, once you are drawn into his life, you won’t be in any hurry to escape.

The abridged version is still available (four cassettes, 4.5 hours, $24) but listeners shouldn’t miss one gorgeous word of McCourt’s brilliant delivery, his lively Limerick brogue or the sad songs he sings. They’re enough to conjure up the smell of peat smoke.

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Released earlier this year, but so memorable that we’d be remiss not to recommend it as a Christmas or Hanukkah gift, is Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita” as read by Jeremy Irons (Random House Audiobooks, unabridged, eight cassettes, 12 hours, $39.95).

This one will make your Walkman sizzle with eroticism so masterfully and poetically written that you’ll have to remind yourself how appalling the acts really are. Nabokov was a witty, ingenious writer and Irons serves up his words with flair. In a seemingly effortless way, he conveys the deeply felt irony with which Nabokov so cleverly constructed his famous pedophile. Irons’ rich, malleable voice drips with both passion and cynicism.

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Two companies have released unabridged audios of popular novels read by Frank Muller, an actor who seems never to give a mediocre or uneven performance; he can be counted on to jazz up even the flattest text.

“The Partner” (Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio, 12 cassettes, 12 hours) is decent, middle-of-the-road John Grisham. Nothing more. It is Muller who gives us a reason to shell out $49.95 (as opposed to $26.95 for the abridged version, six hours long, read by Michael Beck). The story involves shyster lawyers, government sharks and buckets of illicit money--not much that’s new to Grisham devotees. But Muller gives each character his or her own personality. Southern accents? Brazilian accents? No problem. Too bad the story did not offer Muller--or us--more of a challenge.

Muller’s performance also is superior on “The Dark Tower IV: Wizards and Glass” by Stephen King (Penguin Audiobooks, 18 cassettes, 27 hours, $49.95). Fans of King’s Dark Tower series--a mystical departure from the world of terror with which we usually associate the author--have waited almost seven years for this installment. It probably will be best enjoyed by listeners familiar with the first three installments, though an attentive newcomer should be able to pick up the plot threads. But it is Muller, more than King, who draws listeners into this story of Roland, the leader of time-traveling outsiders on a quest. Muller does a fine job conjuring up the characters, who include cackling crones, a weary gunslinger, and a black woman with attitude.

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Already had enough traditional holiday sentiment to last the season? Instead of burning Santa in effigy, check out “Holidays on Ice,” a collection of outrageous essays by David Sedaris (Time Warner AudioBooks, unabridged, three hours, $17), read by the author, Ann Magnuson and Amy Sedaris.

This is a dangerous one to play while you’re driving. You just might laugh yourself off the road while listening to “Dinah, the Christmas Whore” or “The Santaland Diaries,” Sedaris’ account of his time as a Macy’s elf. Give this one to friends who are cynical about this season of consumerism and / or won’t flinch at the blunt language. It probably isn’t the ideal gift for that favorite elderly aunt.

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Rochelle O’Gorman Flynn reviews audio books every four weeks. Next week: Dick Lochte on mysteries.