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View All 6060 Classics Titles >>

"Many voices, at times enthralling"

Overall
Performance
Story

This new Blackstone recording of "Canterbury Tales" is wonderful and at times enthralling -- and also at times laugh-out-loud funny. Like the Charlton Griffin recording (also available here), it's the whole ball of wax: every tale, including the often-omitted Tale of Melibee and the Parson's Tale (which is really a three-hour sermon rather than a tale. Listen to it. It's good for the digestion, and quite a bit more interesting than it sounds). This translation, by J.U. Nicholson, uses a more old-fashioned vocabulary in places than the Coghill translation used by Griffin; but at the same time, it's also saltier. There are few crude names for parts or functions of the human body that Chaucer fails to use at one point or another, and most of them find their way into this recording. (For me, that's a GOOD thing!) One notable feature is that this is a multi-voice recording. Martin Jarvis is Chaucer, Ralph Cosham the Lawyer, Simon Vance the Squire; and that's only a few examples. Both this version and Griffin's version are five-star recordings in my book. Griffin's has occasional music, which this one lacks; on the other hand, this one has greater variety of tone and voice.

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The Canterbury Tales

UNABRIDGED (20 hrs and 49 mins)

By Geoffrey Chaucer

Narrated By Martin Jarvis, Jay Carnes, Ray Porter, and others

Overall
(257)
Performance
(131)
Story
(136)

In this edition, we hear, translated into modern English, 20-some tales, told in the voices of knight and merchant, wife and miller, squire and nun, and many more. Some are bawdy, some spiritual, some romantic, some mysterious, some chivalrous. Between the stories, the travelers converse, joke, and argue, revealing much about their individual outlooks upon life as well as what life was like in late 14th-century England.
Tad Davis says: "Many voices, at times enthralling"
"Great prose translation, great reading"

Overall
Performance
Story

I've always loved W.H.D. Rouse's prose translations of Homer. They've been available on Audible for years in an older recording by Nadia May. Blackstone has just reissued them in new readings by Anthony Heald, and they're wonderful. Heald is fast becoming one of my favorite readers. His fast-paced, emotionally-charged style is perfectly suited to the breezy rhythms of Rouse's prose. There are other more poetic translations and readings of The Iliad and The Odyssey, but to my mind these are by far the best prose versions -- especially appropriate if your goal is to be immersed in the story rather than the language.

There are some things about Rouse's style you should be aware of, though. Mostly these are reflections of Homer's style, but some translators smooth it over; Rouse does not. Zeus is sometimes referred to Cronides, Cronion, or just plain God. Other characters are referred to sometimes by their names, sometimes by their patronymics (Agamemnon is Atreides, the son of Atreus; Achilles is Peleides, the son of Peleus). Sometimes, as in Cronides/Cronion, those patronymics have more than one form. In addition, Rouse often uses the word "good" to indicate an in-law relationship: a "good-sister" is actually a sister-in-law; a "good-father" is a father-in-law. To me this is part of the charm of the translation, but if you're not prepared for it, it can be confusing.

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Odyssey: The Story of Odysseus

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 27 mins)

By Homer

Narrated By Anthony Heald

Overall
(98)
Performance
(43)
Story
(42)

One of the great masterpieces of Western literature, The Odyssey chronicles the many trials and adventures Odysseus must pass through on his long journey home from the Trojan wars. Though the stormy god of the ocean is determined to keep him off course, Odysseus is clever and has the brilliant goddess Athena on his side.
Tad Davis says: "Great prose translation, great reading"
"Great reading"

Overall
Performance
Story

This is yet another excellent reading of "Frankenstein." There are actually several really good performances of this book on Audible. Simon Vance tends to emphasize the lyrical Romanticism of the prose. Others have other strengths: George Guidall emphasizes the brooding tragedy; the three-reader version from Blackstone highlights the unusual structure of the narrative; and Flo Gibson gives what I think is the only available recording of the shorter 1818 version of the text. (Most use the 1831 revision.) I seem to be collecting versions of this book without realizing it. Vance's reading is lively and clearly differentiates the three major voices in the book (Walton, Frankenstein, and the Creature).

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Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 21 mins)

By Mary Shelley

Narrated By Simon Vance

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(252)
Performance
(181)
Story
(189)

At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, Frankenstein tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering "the cause of generation and life" and "bestowing animation upon lifeless matter", Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts. However, upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness.
Tad Davis says: "Great reading"

A Peek at C. Telfair's Bookshelf

C. Telfair's greatest hits:

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

"My favorite Bronte book"

Overall
Performance
Story

Despite being lesser known than her sisters' works, "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" may be the best of the Bronte books. Anne is a good writer; terrific at description, and there is humor here and richness of character development. I really loved this listen. The story is long and, I will admit, tedious at times (it's a Victorian novel after all!), but this edition of the audio book has handled the strange structure of the book very well. Both Alex Jennings and Jenny Agutter render their portions of the narrative beautifully.
A word of warning, however. This claims to be an Unabridged version, but it is not so. Because I was listening to the book as a book club assignment, I followed along with the written version and found some puzzling omissions. Just why they chose to abridge some parts -- especially in the central, diary portion of the book -- I can't imagine. The cuts are small and not terribly important, but nevertheless are there. Anyone wishing to experience the entire work should be aware of the abridgment.
But it's a fine trip! I'm very pleased to have learned that there is more to the Brontes than "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights".
The Hobbit

"Gather Around and Listen!"

Overall
Performance
Story

If ever a book was meant to be read aloud, it's this one! The storyteller is a tremendously important part of "The Hobbit", and Inglis just does a wonderful job enthralling us all with this adventure.

The tone and significance of this work is very different from that of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. As long as you recognize that and accept "The Hobbit" for the children's book it basically is, you will enjoy this version of a classic. And, when it comes to a good tale, there's a child in each of us who will absolutely love it!
Becoming Shakespeare: The Unlikely Afterlife That Turned a Provincial Playwright into the Bard

"Underwhelmed"

Overall
Performance
Story

I'm not sure what I expected from this work, but I am an enthusiastic fan of nearly all things Shakespeare, so I thought I'd try it. It isn't a bad listen, but it's not really much about Shakespeare. The narrator is wonderful, and there are some interesting bits about various actors through the centuries and how different audiences relate to the Bard. Generally, though, I could take or leave this one. There are many more interesting books about Shakespeare and his life and times. If you want something introductory, for example, try a short biography by Bill Bryson.
Adam Bede

"First George Eliot Novel and First-Rate!"

Overall
Performance
Story

This has it all - great setting, characters, love triangles, tragedy, and a lot very welcome comedy, as well!

I had never read this first book by George Eliot, but I must now rate it as one of my favorites. And I suspect that is partly because I have just first experienced "Adam Bede" in the audio format! The dialects of Eliot's wonderful people would be hard-going in book form, but Wanda McCaddon renders them understandable yet full of character and personality.

This is a familiar old story. Class distinction, misplaced affection in Victorian England leads to unhappiness and tragedy. Yet the strong, the hard working, and the morally resolute prevail in the end.

Adam Bede, the title character, is not necessarily the most interesting or the most important character in this book, yet one understands why the author chose him to represent what she believes to be the epitome of British virtue. It's not a revolutionary or a shocking novel, but Eliot weaves the old tale with a real mastery of description, characterization, and humor. I highly recommend this book, and especially the narration of Wanda McCaddon.

"respite from the madding crowd"

22 of 22 helpful votes

Though there are some audio quirks, they didn't significantly interfere with the listen (at least when formatted for ipod). I suppose the quick transmission to downloadable audio may keep the novel's price cheap?

I fell in love with this novel (and Gabriel Oak) when I was 14 and have re-read the paper version several times over the last 35+ years. I hesitated to download it, thinking such a beloved book would suffer in audio, but I really enjoyed the listen. I loved the narrator. She brought to life Hardy's poetic sections, especially those involving the English countryside and farming practices. As others have pointed out, the novel contains a somewhat misogynist portrait, but of a strong-ish heroine (for a Victorian character). In middle age, I felt the misogyny more deeply than back in the 70s, but I put up with it (and often much stronger) in Hardy's contemporaries and predecessors for the beauty if the prose and old fashioned romanticism and realism. Well, admittedly the ending is "too happy;" as someone pointed out --it wasn't Hardy's original ending; I think he had to tone down his realism to get published, but as a teen and now as an old fart, I love the ending. There's enough angst in the world and contemporary lit to suffice for me!

The listen motivates me to download and reacquaint myself with other Hardy novels and perhaps download his bio.

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Far From the Madding Crowd

UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 47 mins)

By Thomas Hardy

Narrated By Jill Masters

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(43)
Performance
(7)
Story
(8)

Thomas Hardy brings us an England that once existed but no more. It is rural, traditional, pastoral - a society of mannered conduct that flows like a deep river where powerful currents eddy and swirl. In this powerful novel of love and disillusion, Hardy's heroine is torn between the three men in her life. Passionate but capricious, her romantic involvements have fascinated generations of readers.
Connie says: "respite from the madding crowd"

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4.8 (1112 ratings)

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Audiobook

The Two Towers: Book Two in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

UNABRIDGED
- J. R. R. Tolkien
The Two Towers: Book Two in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 40 mins)

By J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated By Rob Inglis

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1112)
Performance
(982)
Story
(1005)

The Two Towers is the second volume of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga, The Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship has been forced to split up. Frodo and Sam must continue alone towards Mount Doom, where the One Ring must be destroyed. Meanwhile, at Helm’s Deep and Isengard, the first great battles of the War of the Ring take shape. In this splendid, unabridged audio production of Tolkien’s great work, all the inhabitants of a magical universe - hobbits, elves, and wizards - spring to life. Rob Inglis’ narration has been praised as a masterpiece of audio.
Anna says: "Thank you, Audible! Tolkien at long last!"
4.8 (986 ratings)

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Audiobook

The Return of the King: Book Three in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

UNABRIDGED
- J. R. R. Tolkien
The Return of the King: Book Three in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 18 mins)

By J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated By Rob Inglis

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(986)
Performance
(858)
Story
(880)

The Return of the King is the towering climax to J. R. R. Tolkien’s trilogy that tells the saga of the hobbits of Middle-earth and the great War of the Rings. In this concluding volume, Frodo and Sam make a terrible journey to the heart of the Land of the Shadow in a final reckoning with the power of Sauron. In addition to narrating the prose passages, Rob Inglis sings the trilogy’s songs and poems a capella, using melodies composed by Inglis and Claudia Howard, the Recorded Books studio director.
Natalie says: "Finally!"
4.8 (135 ratings)

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Audiobook

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Volume 1: The War of the Ring

UNABRIDGED
- J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Volume 1: The War of the Ring

UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 28 mins)

By J.R.R. Tolkien

Narrated By Rob Inglis

Overall
(135)
Performance
(61)
Story
(62)

The Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures as the quest continues. Aragon, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and took part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by orcs, escaped into Fangorn Forest and there encountered the Ents. And all the time the armies of the Dark Lord are massing.
Catherine says: "Inglis sounds like Tolkien!"
4.8 (131 ratings)

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Audiobook

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Volume 1: The Treason of Isengard

UNABRIDGED
- J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Volume 1: The Treason of Isengard

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 23 mins)

By J.R.R. Tolkien

Narrated By Rob Inglis

Overall
(131)
Performance
(66)
Story
(67)

Frodo and the Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom. Now they continue their journey alone down the great River Anduin, alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.
Catherine says: "third book of the series"
4.8 (81 ratings)

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Audiobook

SmartPass Plus Audio Education Study Guide to Hamlet (Dramatised, Commentary Options)

UNABRIDGED
- William Shakespeare , Simon Potter
SmartPass Plus Audio Education Study Guide to Hamlet (Dramatised, Commentary Options)

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 9 mins)

By William Shakespeare, Simon Potter

Narrated By Joan Walker, Stephen Elder, Paul Clayton

Overall
(81)
Performance
(52)
Story
(52)

The multi award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. This is a full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. Universally accepted as Shakespeare's finest play, we peel back the layers of Hamlet to discover how and why it deserves such a place of honour in world literature.
Jane says: "Great introduction to Hamlet"
4.8 (54 ratings)

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Audiobook

SmartPass Plus Audio Education Study Guide to Macbeth (Unabridged, Dramatised, Commentary Options)

UNABRIDGED
- William Shakespeare , Simon Potter
SmartPass Plus Audio Education Study Guide to Macbeth (Unabridged, Dramatised, Commentary Options)

UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 7 mins)

By William Shakespeare, Simon Potter

Narrated By Full-Cast featuring Joan Walker, Nick Murchie, Coralyn Sheldon

Overall
(54)
Performance
(27)
Story
(27)

Combined for great value! The multi-award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. Full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play.
"And nothing is, but what is not." Macbeth may be mystified by the Weird Sisters' words but this intense performance with incisive commentary cuts to the heart of Shakespeare's complex psychological tragedy.
Philip says: "Shakespeare made easy to understand!"
4.8 (32 ratings)

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Audiobook

SmartPass Plus Audio Education Study Guide to Romeo and Juliet (Unabridged, Dramatised, Commentary Options)

UNABRIDGED
- William Shakespeare , Simon Potter
SmartPass Plus Audio Education Study Guide to Romeo and Juliet (Unabridged, Dramatised, Commentary Options)

UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 51 mins)

By William Shakespeare, Simon Potter

Narrated By Full-Cast featuring Joan Walker, Chris Kelham, Sara Bowes

Overall
(32)
Performance
(15)
Story
(15)

Combined for great value! The multi-award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. Full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. The poetry of Shakespeare's star crossed lovers is poignantly performed and expertly explained in this unique production: "Passion lends them power."
Cheryl says: "Very Helpful"
4.8 (30 ratings)

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Audiobook

A Christmas Carol

UNABRIDGED
- Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol

UNABRIDGED (2 hrs and 54 mins)

By Charles Dickens

Narrated By Simon Vance

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(30)
Performance
(26)
Story
(26)

A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens first published by Chapman and Hall and first released on 19 December 1843. The story tells of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge's ideological, ethical, and emotional transformation after the supernatural visitations of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
Tad Davis says: "One of the best"
4.9 (13 ratings)

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Audiobook

Master i Margarita [The Master and Margarita]

UNABRIDGED
- Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov
Master i Margarita [The Master and Margarita]

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 40 mins)

By Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov

Narrated By Vladimir Ivanovich Samoylov

Overall
(13)
Performance
(10)
Story
(10)

Master i Margarita - "posledniy zakatnyy" roman M.A. Bulgakova, roman zaveshchanie, voskresshiy iz pepla unichtozhennoy avtorom pervoy redaktsii. V Mastere i Margarite fantastika natalkivaetsya na realizm, mif na istoricheskuyu dostovernost, teosofiya na demonizm, romantika na klounadu.
4.8 (12 ratings)

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Audiobook

Tales from Shakespeare: The Lambs' Tales

UNABRIDGED
- Charles Lamb , Mary Lamb , William Shakespeare
Tales from Shakespeare: The Lambs' Tales

UNABRIDGED (3 hrs and 54 mins)

By Charles Lamb, Mary Lamb, William Shakespeare

Narrated By Alan Cumming, Nigel Davenport, Andrew Sachs, and others

Overall
(12)
Performance
(8)
Story
(7)

A perfect introduction for all ages to the breadth and beauty of Shakespeare's work, Tales from Shakespearehas become a classic work in its own right. The tales bring vividly alive the power of Hamlet and Macbeth, the fun of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the drama of The Tempest. Blending detailed narrative with original dialogue and poetic language, they fully convey the wit, wisdom, and imagination of Shakespeare's magnificent plays.
Heidi says: "My daughter's absolute favorite!"
4.8 (10 ratings)

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Audiobook

Captains Courageous

UNABRIDGED
- Rudyard Kipling
Captains Courageous

UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 57 mins)

By Rudyard Kipling

Narrated By George Guidall

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(10)
Performance
(8)
Story
(8)

Captains Courageous is Rudyard Kipling’s classic fable of a boy’s initiation into the fellowship of men, played out on the high seas of the late 1800s. When he falls overboard from a luxury liner, Harvey Cheyne, the spoiled son of an American millionaire, is rescued by a small New England fishing schooner. To earn his keep, Harvey must prove his worth in the only way the skipper and his hardy crew will accept: through the grueling mastery of a fisherman’s skills.
Walt Robertson says: "A case where a good movie ruined a great book"
4.5 (4632 ratings)

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Audiobook

The Hobbit

UNABRIDGED
- J. R. R. Tolkien
The Hobbit

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 8 mins)

By J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated By Rob Inglis

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(4632)
Performance
(4140)
Story
(4189)

Like every other hobbit, Bilbo Baggins likes nothing better than a quiet evening in his snug hole in the ground, dining on a sumptuous dinner in front of a fire. But when a wandering wizard captivates him with tales of the unknown, Bilbo becomes restless. Soon he joins the wizard’s band of homeless dwarves in search of giant spiders, savage wolves, and other dangers. Bilbo quickly tires of the quest for adventure and longs for the security of his familiar home. But before he can return to his life of comfort, he must face the greatest threat of all.
Darwin8u says: "Victory after all, I suppose!"

Best Sellers

(More Classics Best Sellers) All Classics Best Sellers

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The Great Gatsby

UNABRIDGED
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby

UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 52 mins)

By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Narrated By Jake Gyllenhaal

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(454)
Performance
(416)
Story
(420)

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic American novel of the Roaring Twenties is beloved by generations of readers and stands as his crowning work. This new audio edition, authorized by the Fitzgerald estate, is narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain). Gyllenhaal's performance is a faithful delivery in the voice of Nick Carraway, the Midwesterner turned New York bond salesman, who rents a small house next door to the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby....
Darwin8u says: "Simple, Beautiful, and Exquisitely Textured"
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Heart of Darkness: A Signature Performance by Kenneth Branagh

UNABRIDGED
- Joseph Conrad
Heart of Darkness: A Signature Performance by Kenneth Branagh

UNABRIDGED (3 hrs and 51 mins)

By Joseph Conrad

Narrated By Kenneth Branagh

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(775)
Performance
(579)
Story
(579)

A Signature Performance: Kenneth Branagh plays this like a campfire ghost story, told by a haunted, slightly insane Marlow.
Darwin8u says: "Conrad's Brilliant & Wild Novella"
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The Hobbit

UNABRIDGED
- J. R. R. Tolkien
The Hobbit

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 8 mins)

By J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated By Rob Inglis

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(4632)
Performance
(4140)
Story
(4189)

Like every other hobbit, Bilbo Baggins likes nothing better than a quiet evening in his snug hole in the ground, dining on a sumptuous dinner in front of a fire. But when a wandering wizard captivates him with tales of the unknown, Bilbo becomes restless. Soon he joins the wizard’s band of homeless dwarves in search of giant spiders, savage wolves, and other dangers. Bilbo quickly tires of the quest for adventure and longs for the security of his familiar home. But before he can return to his life of comfort, he must face the greatest threat of all.
Darwin8u says: "Victory after all, I suppose!"
http%3A%2F%2Fsamples.audible.com%2Fbk%2Freco%2F006156%2Fbk_reco_006156_sample.mp3+flashcontent0BANHCBYF6S5BECC6Y4H3
The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

UNABRIDGED
- J. R. R. Tolkien
The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 11 mins)

By J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated By Rob Inglis

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1892)
Performance
(1661)
Story
(1694)

The Fellowship of the Ring, the first volume in the trilogy, tells of the fateful power of the One Ring. It begins a magnificent tale of adventure that will plunge the members of the Fellowship of the Ring into a perilous quest and set the stage for the ultimate clash between the powers of good and evil.
Ellen says: "At last - The Definitive Recording!"
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The Great Gatsby

UNABRIDGED
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby

UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 44 mins)

By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Narrated By Tim Robbins

Overall
(1085)
Performance
(541)
Story
(541)

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald's portrait of the Jazz Age in all its decadence and excess, is, as editor Maxwell Perkins praised it in 1924, "a wonder". It remains one of the most widely read, translated, admired, imitated, and studied 20th-century works of American fiction.
Erin says: "Something you won't fall asleep to..."
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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Signature Performance by Elijah Wood

UNABRIDGED
- Mark Twain
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Signature Performance by Elijah Wood

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 12 mins)

By Mark Twain

Narrated By Elijah Wood

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1537)
Performance
(1100)
Story
(1077)

A Signature Performance: Elijah Wood becomes the first narrator to bring a youthful voice and energy to the story, perhaps making it the closest interpretation to Twain’s original intent.
James says: "Worthy "signature" premiere"
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Jane Eyre [Brilliance Edition]

UNABRIDGED
- Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre [Brilliance Edition]

UNABRIDGED (17 hrs and 21 mins)

By Charlotte Bronte

Narrated By Susan Ericksen

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(654)
Performance
(398)
Story
(405)

After a sad and neglected childhood as an orphan, Jane Eyre was hired by Edward Rochester as governess for his ward. Jane was pleased with the quiet country life at Thornfield, with the beautiful old manor house and gardens, with the book-filled library, and with her own comfortable room. But there were stories of a strange tenant, a woman who laughed like a maniac, and who stayed in rooms on the third floor.
Elizabeth says: "a book that can be heard/read again and again"
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The Great Gatsby

UNABRIDGED
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby

UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 52 mins)

By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Narrated By Jake Gyllenhaal

Overall
(13)
Performance
(12)
Story
(12)

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic American novel of the Roaring Twenties is beloved by generations of readers and stands as his crowning work. This new audio edition, authorized by the Fitzgerald estate, is narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain). Gyllenhaal's performance is a faithful delivery in the voice of Nick Carraway, the Midwesterner turned New York bond salesman, who rents a small house next door to the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby. There, he has a firsthand view of Gatsby’s lavish West Egg parties - and of his undying love....
MATTHEW says: "Just the right reading style"
http%3A%2F%2Fsamples.audible.com%2Fbk%2Fadbl%2F002575%2Fbk_adbl_002575_sample.mp3+flashcontent0BANHCBYF6S5BECC6Y4H8
Gulliver's Travels: A Signature Performance by David Hyde Pierce

UNABRIDGED
- Jonathan Swift
Gulliver's Travels: A Signature Performance by David Hyde Pierce

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 52 mins)

By Jonathan Swift

Narrated By David Hyde Pierce

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(399)
Performance
(241)
Story
(247)

A Signature Performance: Four-time Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce delivers an air of lovable self-importance in his rendition of the classic social satire that remains as fresh today as the day it was published.
Lara says: "Timeless Humor"
http%3A%2F%2Fsamples.audible.com%2Fbk%2Freco%2F006158%2Fbk_reco_006158_sample.mp3+flashcontent0BANHCBYF6S5BECC6Y4H9
The Two Towers: Book Two in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

UNABRIDGED
- J. R. R. Tolkien
The Two Towers: Book Two in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 40 mins)

By J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated By Rob Inglis

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1112)
Performance
(982)
Story
(1005)

The Two Towers is the second volume of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga, The Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship has been forced to split up. Frodo and Sam must continue alone towards Mount Doom, where the One Ring must be destroyed. Meanwhile, at Helm’s Deep and Isengard, the first great battles of the War of the Ring take shape. In this splendid, unabridged audio production of Tolkien’s great work, all the inhabitants of a magical universe - hobbits, elves, and wizards - spring to life. Rob Inglis’ narration has been praised as a masterpiece of audio.
Anna says: "Thank you, Audible! Tolkien at long last!"
http%3A%2F%2Fsamples.audible.com%2Fbk%2Freco%2F006157%2Fbk_reco_006157_sample.mp3+flashcontent0BANHCBYF6S5BECC6Y4H10
The Return of the King: Book Three in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

UNABRIDGED
- J. R. R. Tolkien
The Return of the King: Book Three in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 18 mins)

By J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated By Rob Inglis

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(986)
Performance
(858)
Story
(880)

The Return of the King is the towering climax to J. R. R. Tolkien’s trilogy that tells the saga of the hobbits of Middle-earth and the great War of the Rings. In this concluding volume, Frodo and Sam make a terrible journey to the heart of the Land of the Shadow in a final reckoning with the power of Sauron. In addition to narrating the prose passages, Rob Inglis sings the trilogy’s songs and poems a capella, using melodies composed by Inglis and Claudia Howard, the Recorded Books studio director.
Natalie says: "Finally!"
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Meditations

UNABRIDGED
- Marcus Aurelius
Meditations

UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 11 mins)

By Marcus Aurelius

Narrated By Duncan Steen

Overall
(103)
Performance
(83)
Story
(84)

One of the most significant books ever written by a head of State, the Meditations are a collection of philosophical thoughts by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180 ce). Covering issues such as duty, forgiveness, brotherhood, strength in adversity and the best way to approach life and death, the Meditations have inspired thinkers, poets and politicians since their first publication more than 500 years ago. Today, the book stands as one of the great guides and companions - a cornerstone of Western thought.
Guilherme says: "Stoic Wisdom at it's best"

New Releases

(More Classics New Releases) All Classics New Releases

http%3A%2F%2Fsamples.audible.com%2Fbk%2Fadbl%2F013126%2Fbk_adbl_013126_sample.mp3+flashcontent0BANHCBYF6S5BECC6Y4H16
The Best War Stories Ever Told: Best Stories Ever Told

UNABRIDGED
- UNKNOWN
The Best War Stories Ever Told: Best Stories Ever Told

UNABRIDGED (29 hrs and 25 mins)

By UNKNOWN

Narrated By Narrated by Bob Hennessey

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

From Julius Caesar to the King James Bible, from modern masters like Theodore Roosevelt and Stephen Crane, this thought-provoking and compelling collection captures the variety and depth of feeling inspired by war, from the devastating to the uplifting.
http%3A%2F%2Fsamples.audible.com%2Fbk%2Fadbl%2F009205%2Fbk_adbl_009205_sample.mp3+flashcontent0BANHCBYF6S5BECC6Y4H18
The Black Soul

UNABRIDGED
- Liam O'Flaherty
The Black Soul

UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 25 mins)

By Liam O'Flaherty

Narrated By John Lee

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

Intense, compelling, beautifully descriptive - as Wuthering Heights is to the Yorkshire moors, so The Black Soul is to the Aran Islands. The sea roars dismally round the shores of Inverara. A stranger takes a room on the island. Here lives a couple whose married years have been joyless, until the presence of the stranger unleashes their passions.... For as spring softens the wild beauty of Inverara, the stranger becomes conscious of the dark-haired Mary - how summer makes her shiver with life. He is the first man she has ever loved, and she thrills with sexual awakening.
http%3A%2F%2Fsamples.audible.com%2Fbk%2Facx0%2F007064%2Fbk_acx0_007064_sample.mp3+flashcontent0BANHCBYF6S5BECC6Y4H20
El Arte de la Guerra [The Art of War] (Spanish Edition)

UNABRIDGED
- Sun Tzu
El Arte de la Guerra [The Art of War] (Spanish Edition)

UNABRIDGED (1 hr and 7 mins)

By Sun Tzu

Narrated By Caroline Simone, Luis Fernando Hernandez

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

Esta obra es importante no porque sus reflexiones sean una invitacion a practicar la guerra, sino porque para Sun Tzu la guerra es algo mas que la simple fuerza bruta y la irracionalidad de la destruccion. Se trata del arte de evitar los conflictos; requiere de una sabiduria mayor, pero sobre todo, exige de nuestra parte una gran sensibilidad para detectar cuales son las exigencias que nos demanda la armonia universal. Please Note: This audiobook is in Spanish.
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New Atlantis

UNABRIDGED
- Francis Bacon
New Atlantis

UNABRIDGED (1 hr and 43 mins)

By Francis Bacon

Narrated By Don Hagen

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

The crew of a European ship discovers the utopian island of Bensalem, having gotten lost in the Pacific Ocean somewhere near Peru. The crew spend time learning about the ways of the people of Bensalem, a very chaste group of Christians. The most important part of the island is their university, a state-sponsored scientific institution known as Salomon's House. The narrator is chosen from amongst the crew to get a one-on-one explanation of the way their society works, and he learns about the various buildings and jobs that exist on Bensalem.
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Rough-Hew Them How We Will

UNABRIDGED
- P. G. Wodehouse
Rough-Hew Them How We Will

UNABRIDGED (31 mins)

By P. G. Wodehouse

Narrated By David Ian Davies

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

This short story from Wodehouse’s collection The Man with Two Left Feet was also included in P. G. Wodehouse All Time Greatest Works. Paul Bioelle lives in an attic. By day he makes eighteen shillings a week as a waiter; by night he paints, perfecting his masterpiece so that he might earn his fortune. The money from the painting would go toward achieving his dreams: marriage to Jean Le Brocq and ownership of a little cigar shop on Brixton. For to Paul, achieving those two things would be heaven on Earth.
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The Grateful Beasts

UNABRIDGED
- Andrew Lang
The Grateful Beasts

UNABRIDGED (25 mins)

By Andrew Lang

Narrated By Tavia Gilbert

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

Ferko, a handsome young man, was born into a very poor family with very wicked brothers. Because the family is so poor, the parents have to send the three brothers away, with only a loaf of bread each. The brothers gang up on Ferko while he is sleeping, stealing his bread and convincing him he consumed it in his sleep. Taking advantage of his starvation, they trick him into allowing them to blind him and break his legs.
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Moskva i moskvichi [Moscow and Muscovites]

UNABRIDGED
- Mihail Nikolaevich Zagoskin
Moskva i moskvichi [Moscow and Muscovites]

UNABRIDGED (2 hrs and 59 mins)

By Mihail Nikolaevich Zagoskin

Narrated By Galina Samojlova

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

Kniga Moskva i moskvichi napisana Mikhailom Nikolayevichem Zagoskinym (1789 - 1852), avtorom izvestnykh istoricheskikh romanov Yuriy Miloslavskiy, Roslavlev, i mnogikh drugikh proizvedeniy. Moskva i moskvichi - eto zhivye i uvlekatel'nye ocherki, rasskazy, sceny «iz domashnej i obschestvennoj moskovskoj zhizni». Please note: This audiobook is in Russian.

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Vintage Reading: From Plato to Bradbury: A Personal Tour of Some of the World's Best Books

UNABRIDGED

Robert Kanigel
Vintage Reading: From Plato to Bradbury: A Personal Tour of Some of the World's Best Books

UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 55 mins)

By Robert Kanigel

Narrated By Denise Washington Blomberg

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

A friendly literary companion, Kanigel shares the books he loves best. Vintage Reading is like those samples that seduce you into tasting because Kanigel’s enthusiastic eclecticism makes it clear that a good listener is really someone ready to venture between the covers, and Kanigel’s mini-forays between those covers seem cozy not intimidating. The antidote to Cliff’s Notes, Vintage Reading’s unpretentious appetite for literature will inspire listeners young and old to new adventures and, most importantly, a confidence in themselves.
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The Garden

UNABRIDGED
- L. A. G. Strong
The Garden

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 15 mins)

By L. A. G. Strong

Narrated By Derek Perkins

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

The Garden is set in Dublin in the early years of the 20th century. Dermot, whose family has settled in England, returns for his summers from English Public School to visit his grandfather, and develops affection for the city. During the course of the novel, war breaks out, bringing an end to the Edwardian summer for a whole generation....
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Anna

UNABRIDGED
- Norman Collins
Anna

UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 55 mins)

By Norman Collins

Narrated By Tatyana Yassukovich

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

Anna is the story of a woman and an era. Against the background of France and Germany at the time of the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, Norman Collins tells with great brilliance the story of Anna, a beautiful woman. Born in Rhineland, when she was 19 she fell in love with a French cousin whom she followed to Paris on the eve of the outbreak of war. When he was killed by her compatriots she found herself in besieged Paris, destitute, alone, and a German.
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The Purloined Letter

UNABRIDGED
- Edgar Allan Poe
The Purloined Letter

UNABRIDGED (41 mins)

By Edgar Allan Poe

Narrated By Cathy Dobson

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

When a letter of great significance is stolen from the royal palace in Paris, the prefect of police is at great pains to discover its whereabouts. The identity of the thief is known, but try as the detectives will, they are unable to pinpoint the hiding place where the incriminating letter is secreted. When the Prefect approaches Dupin for his advice on the matter, the latter sees the solution immediately. An insight from which he is able to profit handsomely. Poe at his most ingenious!
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The Husband's Story

UNABRIDGED
- Norman Collins
The Husband's Story

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 32 mins)

By Norman Collins

Narrated By Matthew Frow

Overall
(0)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

This - as only Norman Collins can tell it - is the story of Stanley Pitts, a contracts filing clerk in the Admiralty, a small man - small in stature, small in ambition and achievement, happy in his work, and devoted to his hobby of photography. For Stan himself, his latest failure with the Civil Service Selection Board might not have mattered too much. But it mattered to his wife, Beryl. For Beryl is a social climber....

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