Hamlet

Shakespeare Appreciated (Unabridged, Dramatised, Commentary Options)

By: William Shakespeare, Simon Potter, Phil Viner, Jools Viner

Narrated by: Joan Walker, Stephen Elder, Paul Clayton

Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Experience Hamlet as a powerful full-cast drama with entertaining and enlightening commentary that explains what's what and who's who as the plot unfolds. To help you get the most out of Shakespeare, the narrator offers historical insights and background information, so you can enjoy the jokes, appreciate the references, and get a real sense of Shakespeare's world.

The unabridged drama is also presented without commentary. If school turned you off Shakespeare, find out what you've been missing all these years with this beautifully crafted audio presentation.

From the creators of SmartPass audio education study guides, voted third in a national poll to find the UK's favourite audibook (2008). Winners of three Spoken Word Awards for Best Drama (2004), Best Original Audio, and Best Publishing Initiative (2005).

©2009 SmartPass Ltd (P)2009 SmartPass Ltd

Very Comprehensive and Engaging

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to any students who may be studying Hamlet, both for the insight into how it is performed and the integrated commentary which fills in an enormous amount of background detail without slowing down the story too much.

What did you like best about this story?

The most outstanding feature was the research and insight that went into the commentary. This is not a cheap cash in on a famous title.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The book is very dense and may give you a bit of indigestion if listened to quickly. That said, I was in a hurry and used the 2x speed on the iPhone and was still able to follow it well.

Any additional comments?

An important note: if you just want to listen to the dramatized reading of the play, just play Part 2. It doesn't have any commentary.

Nice to Read Along to

This audiobook is single-handedly getting me through my required reading for my Literature class. Doing college English completely online has not been easy, but this audiobook makes it feel like we are reading it as a class aloud, and I love the commentary from the narrator, it definitely has helped me actually follow what is happening and why it's happening in the play. Super good, and I love the choice actor for Hamlet, he has a perfect voice for the character. And there are some pretty cool sound effects and quiet ambiance that add to the drama, but don't distract from the content of the play.

Great way to listen to the play

Plays are a visual thing for us, even for those who went to "hear a play" back in Shakespeare's time - they at least looked at people occasionally to sort everyone out (if they were paying attention). Reading a play is easier as well compared to having to listen to an audio version.

I was preparing to direct Hamlet and wanted to drown myself in the play as much as possibel so I got this to listen to while in the car. Wonderful attempt at performing the play tho as a fan of Shakespeare, the commentary did get in the way a bit. It's great for beginners and those who have issues with Shakespeare's language!

Great for a Shakespeare beginner!

Any additional comments?

I have always been afraid of Shakespeare because the language and meanings are so different. I didn't think I would be able to understand what the "true" meaning was. This audio was set up perfectly. The first part the narrator interrupts and explains the back story or the particular meaning of a phrase. Once I listened to that I was able to listen to just the dramatized play and I got so much more out of it than I would have listening on my own.

Really good significant play with outstanding additional perspective.

Both versions included in the book (clean an with narrative suggestions) are outstanding! Have never read Hamlet before and so grateful for running into exactly this version as the "first date".
Definitely recommend to anyone seeking a good story!

I loved the version with the commentary.

I'm so glad I bought this version for my son and me to study. Having the commentator interrupt after each bit to explain was so much easier than looking back and forth between original/modern versions to try to figure out what was going on. It's like your high school teacher stopping the audio to explain what's going on when the language has left you scratching your head. It's longer this way (7+ hours vs 4+ hours), but I think the extra time is worth the understanding gained. If you prefer just the play, without the commentary, that is also included. Part 1 has the commentary; part 2 does not.

Good night sweet prince Angels sing thee to thy re

It's Hamlet. good night sweet prince. angels sing thee to thy rest.
huii

hioo but onlyif

Over the top characterization

What would have made Hamlet better?

More realistic treatment. Fewer Simon Ligre villains.

What do you think your next listen will be?

The Thucydides Trap

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

What character would you cut from Hamlet?

The writing of this is, from my perspective, is poor.

Any additional comments?

no

How do I get the complete book on my Fire?

I seem to have downloaded the preview and not the full audio book on my Fire. I downloaded the full book on my iPad just fine.

just auful

the audio goes from blowing your ears out to barely being able to hear with the with the readers are saying. the constant Interruption and description is ridiculous. imagine sitting in a movie theater with a person next to you describing every single scene it ruins the book. I thought the descriptions would be pleasant and informative and giving some semblance of tone and background there was none of that. will never waste my money on this type of book again. finally I will never understand why they put music in audiobooks