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[Enhancement]: Same book, different narrators #1726

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opened 2026-02-20 02:05:59 -05:00 by deekerman · 6 comments

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 02:05:59 -05:00

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Originally created by @racemus on GitHub (Dec 7, 2023).

Describe the feature/enhancement

I have audiobooks that are the same, but voiced by different narrators. Sometimes it's fascinating to listen to different voiceovers. I kept them within different subfolders within the book folder, but now with ABS I have to create a book folder for each narrator.

Also, it's not so convenient to have multiple, but the same books within the library. I tried to use subseries for it, but I can't create real subseries with it.

So, I would suggest updating Directory Structure rules for it. For example, use subfolders with narrators names, as I used before. And then give user choice which narrator to play somehow on front-end.

What do you think?

Originally created by @racemus on GitHub (Dec 7, 2023). ### Describe the feature/enhancement Hi I have audiobooks that are the same, but voiced by different narrators. Sometimes it's fascinating to listen to different voiceovers. I kept them within different subfolders within the book folder, but now with ABS I have to create a book folder for each narrator. Also, it's not so convenient to have multiple, but the same books within the library. I tried to use subseries for it, but I can't create real subseries with it. So, I would suggest updating Directory Structure rules for it. For example, use subfolders with narrators names, as I used before. And then give user choice which narrator to play somehow on front-end. What do you think?

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2026-02-20 02:05:59 -05:00

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 02:06:00 -05:00

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@KaiStarkk commented on GitHub (Dec 11, 2023):

Subfolders are probably best used for sub-series per #870 (at least that's my hope -- not yet implemented). The {Narrator} folder structure that is currently implemented is better as it's conventional for large trackers.

Regarding multiple books in the library I agree - I would love to see something like this for multiple narrators:

There is some complexity around syncing progress, as there is the question of which progress should take precedence if they're tied to the same library asset, but it seems like this is similarly the case with eBooks, and that solution works well (progress is tracked separately).

@KaiStarkk commented on GitHub (Dec 11, 2023): Subfolders are probably best used for sub-series per #870 (at least that's my hope -- not yet implemented). The {Narrator} folder structure that is currently implemented is better as it's conventional for large trackers. Regarding multiple books in the library I agree - I would love to see something like this for multiple narrators: ![image](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf/assets/1722064/97705239-8a6f-47d2-a672-77fd3a841c35) There is some complexity around syncing progress, as there is the question of which progress should take precedence if they're tied to the same library asset, but it seems like this is similarly the case with eBooks, and that solution works well (progress is tracked separately).

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 02:06:00 -05:00

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@advplyr commented on GitHub (Dec 11, 2023):

Yeah progress would be an issue here unless we tracked them separately and selecting a different narrator would show the progress for that narrator. On the book covers we would have to pick one to show the progress of.

I can see this being useful but it's unlikely it gets added since it is a lot of work and only a small number of users would benefit from it.

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Dec 11, 2023): Yeah progress would be an issue here unless we tracked them separately and selecting a different narrator would show the progress for that narrator. On the book covers we would have to pick one to show the progress of. I can see this being useful but it's unlikely it gets added since it is a lot of work and only a small number of users would benefit from it.

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 02:06:00 -05:00

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@racemus commented on GitHub (Dec 11, 2023):

but it's unlikely it gets added since it is a lot of work and only a small number of users would benefit from it

Pure prioritization, I understand. It's a pity that I'm not a JS developer. Hope it will be made someday.

@racemus commented on GitHub (Dec 11, 2023): > but it's unlikely it gets added since it is a lot of work and only a small number of users would benefit from it Pure prioritization, I understand. It's a pity that I'm not a JS developer. Hope it will be made someday.

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 02:06:00 -05:00

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@DDriggs00 commented on GitHub (Apr 28, 2024):

Even if the full live-switching feature was not added, it would be cool to have support for multiple versions of the same book. E.g. the Wheel of Time with the new Rosemund Pike narrated versions, or the Lord of The Rings with its multiple narrators.

@DDriggs00 commented on GitHub (Apr 28, 2024): Even if the full live-switching feature was not added, it would be cool to have support for multiple versions of the same book. E.g. the Wheel of Time with the new Rosemund Pike narrated versions, or the Lord of The Rings with its multiple narrators.

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 02:06:00 -05:00

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@manalive commented on GitHub (Apr 30, 2024):

I also like this general idea, but it's kind of a problem to treat it as the same book because

The narrator is very rarely the only difference (usually, there are edition differences, translations, abridgments, additional forwards/prefaces, etc)
Many times, the same "book" may actually have different chapter splits from different publishers
as mentioned by others, matching progress is a challenge
having a matching ebook version or supplemental/companion PDF for each narration adds UI complexity

What would be nice is being able to:

Identify distinct editions/adaptations/abridgments/translations/narrations of the same original 'work' and link them together
Collapse them or expand them in the list view just like Series
See the linked entries while on the detailed view
Star/Favorite or otherwise mark preferred versions of a work (or optimally give them a numeric order of preference)

When it comes to classics / great works, I often try to collect as many versions as possible and listen to them all over time. Example: Fellowship of the Ring

English Narrator: Andy Serkis
English Narrator: Rob Inglis
English Language Radio Drama: NPR
English Language Radio Drama: BBC Radio 4

@manalive commented on GitHub (Apr 30, 2024): I also like this general idea, but it's kind of a problem to treat it as the same book because - The narrator is very rarely the _only_ difference (usually, there are edition differences, translations, abridgments, additional forwards/prefaces, etc) - Many times, the same "book" may actually have different chapter splits from different publishers - as mentioned by others, matching progress is a challenge - having a matching ebook version or supplemental/companion PDF for each narration adds UI complexity What would be nice is being able to: 1. Identify distinct editions/adaptations/abridgments/translations/narrations of the same original 'work' and link them together 2. Collapse them or expand them in the list view just like Series 3. See the linked entries while on the detailed view 4. Star/Favorite or otherwise mark preferred versions of a work (or optimally give them a numeric order of preference) When it comes to classics / great works, I often try to collect as many versions as possible and listen to them all over time. Example: Fellowship of the Ring - English Narrator: Andy Serkis - English Narrator: Rob Inglis - English Language Radio Drama: NPR - English Language Radio Drama: BBC Radio 4

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 02:06:00 -05:00

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@ZLoth commented on GitHub (May 17, 2024):

As an example of books with different narrators:

James Bond Books (Casino Royale is narriated first by Simon Vance, then the Celebrity Performance by Dan Stevens)
The Lock-In series which I have organized as follows:
Lord of the Rings

PLUS, there is the non-booktrack and booktrack versions.

@ZLoth commented on GitHub (May 17, 2024): As an example of books with different narrators: * James Bond Books (Casino Royale is narriated first by Simon Vance, then the Celebrity Performance by Dan Stevens) * The Lock-In series which I have organized as follows: ![image](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf/assets/6700159/db80eae5-9e67-4251-ab3f-71fe5986b9a9) * Lord of the Rings PLUS, there is the non-booktrack and booktrack versions.