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@gutenberg_org Interesting timing given the SAG-AFTRA strike. Taking "The Iliad" as an example, compare the Gutenberg-Microsoft version to an exemplary "plena voce" edition (I suggest the Caroline Alexander translation voiced by actor Dominic Keating). These are very different things, which in this case might hopefully coexist peacefully.
ia801601.us.archive.org/26/ite

@gutenberg_org Great to see so many "new" #books available for free in a new format, and interesting to witness the progress of #AI #audiobook generation.

After sampling a couple of books I find the timing is often far off compared to how a context aware voice actor would have read or acted.
I could probably get used to it by powering through an entire book, but for now I'm frequently forced ouf of the flow in order to reconstruct a sentence in my head.

Looking forward to the next iteration!

You did what?! [Checks calendar, no, it isn't April 1st]

@gutenberg_org the idea of making audiobooks available is great but paying actual voice actors is even better. Ai should not be replacing people who read with feeling, care, and love for what they do.

@gutenberg_org The accessibility of this is amazing! Podcasts and Spotify playlists, too, further decreasing barriers! Anything that makes reading easier for anyone who can’t access print books, especially without jumping through hoops, is awesome! I know some people are upset, but books read by voice actors are prohibitively expensive for people who are on a fixed income and/or who may not have the luxury of being able to see or even hold a book or tablet.