2007 Rundtomrask (Trond Brænne)

Roverandom

Release Date: 2007
Reader: Trond Brænne
Language: Norwegian (Bokmål)
Translator: Nils Ivar Agøy
Organisation: Cappelen Damm Lydbok
ISBN: 9788242119322
Duration: 2 hour 35 minutes
Unabridged: Yes
Country: Norway
Licenced: Yes
Formats: CD, Digital

Trond Brænne (1953–2013) was a household name in Norway, particularly beloved for his work in children’s literature and his warm, versatile voice. Much like Derek Jacobi in the UK, Brænne was chosen for his ability to convey a “storytime” atmosphere. Since Rundtomrask was originally a consolation story for Tolkien’s son, Brænne’s gentle and empathetic delivery is often cited by Norwegian reviewers as its greatest strength. He was a skilled at creating character voices (having dubbed many Disney films). In Rundtomrask, he gives distinct, quirky personalities to the Månemannen (The Man in the Moon) and the various sorcerers the little dog encounters.

Nils Ivar Agøy, Professor of Modern History at the University of South-Eastern Norway is a co-founder of the Norwegian Tolkien Society. The word Rundtomrask combines “Rundtom” (around/about) with a sense of “rask” (quick/scurrying), perfectly capturing the essence of a wandering, energetic dog. Agøy ensured that the many linguistic puns and “dog-logic” jokes in Tolkien’s text translated smoothly into Norwegian, maintaining the 1920s charm of the original.

He has translated The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, The Children of Húrin, Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf by Niggle, Smith of Wootton Major and On Fairy-Stories into Norwegian (Bokmål) as well as writing many articles giving numerous lectures at Tolkien events.