Janet

Kate Reading is a perfect narrator of George Eliot's classic leisurely novel. Eliot draws her characters in full, protagonists' and antagonists' strengths and flaws noted in affectionate and undeceived clarity, her brilliant wit dry but not cruel. This is not a novel to skim for the action; the joy is in the language, the turns of phrase, the subtle discoveries. Listening to Kate Reading narrate the story is like visiting a brilliant worldly woman who shares her observations, delightful details occurring to her as she speaks.

Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey series surprised many a reader who didn't expect to enjoy fiction about Napoleonic naval history. There is action and excitement enough, but the subtleties of language and character development are the real charm.

Patrick Tull's narration of the tales makes them even better. Not only is he a master of the many voices and accents; his narrative voice and his pauses and lingerings over phrases are loaded with meaning, bringing alive all the character, wit, and drama of O'Brian's writing. If you've loved the books before, Tull's reading will truly give you joy.