More readers are turning to audiobooks because they want to read from portable devices. (Photo : Getty Images)
The 23rd Beijing International Book Fair is getting droves of enthusiasts that are getting more interested in audiobooks.
"The Knights of the Cross," a novel written by Nobel laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz in 1900, is a hot seller with its Chinese version done by Lu Xun, the country's top author.
China Publishing Group Corporation, audiobook platform Audioteka, and the Polish Book Institute now released the audiobook version of the book's Chinese translation.
The audiobook's Chinese director Guo Zhengjian explained that putting together a cast of voices was like doing a play for radio. Selection of the actors had to be consistent with the book's theme, and the director had to consult his counterparts in Poland for this.
"Polish artists are amazing. They did a great job when it came to sound effects and music. When it comes to music, every one of us knows about Chopin. This work is full of patriotism just like Chopin's work," Guo said.
He added, "I hope the Chinese audience can learn more about Sienkiewicz via this audiobook, and I also hope one-day Chinese classical works can be introduced to Poland."
"The Knights of the Cross" is a novel about the battle of and victory of Polish and Lithuanian forces at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410.
Many publishers are turning to audiobook sales as book reading trends are changing with technology.
Marcin Beme, chief executive officer of Audioteka, said that more readers are looking at e-books and searching for ways to synchronize their files in whatever place and whatever device they are using.
"An audiobook is a mobile and portable book that people can listen to at any time and at anywhere - driving or doing sports for example - and thus achieve the synchronization," he said.
The increase in sales in audiobooks have led to 1.66 billion yuan in August, according to the Shanghai Observer.
