Kim

By: Rudyard Kipling

Narrated by: Walter Covell

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Kipling creates a harmonious picture of India that unites the secular and the spiritual, the life of action and that of contemplation. It is the story of the orphaned son of an Irish soldier, Kimball O'Hara, who spends his childhood as a vagabond, traveling through India with an old Tibetan lama, enthralled by the "roaring whirl" of the country's colorful landscape and by the diversity of its people.

©1982 Jimcin Recordings (P)1982 Jimcin Recordings

Magical

This recording does more than justice to Kipling's great tale. The voices the narrator is able to assume enriched my experience of a lifetime favorite.

OK

If you need to know what is going on at all times in a book, this tale is not for you. On the other hand Kim does paint an evocative picture of a very particular time and place - the Great Game in India-Pakistan in the late 19th century. The character of Kim is enjoyably described as is that of Mahboub Ali (sp?). The reading is ok although I personally did not like the way that the Lama was made to sound. The recording is very uneven and of relatively low quality.

Try another version

I had always overlooked this classic, thinking of it as a kid's book -- but the novel is great listening - or could be. The sound quality on my download was poor, and I disliked the narrator- he seemed to be sight reading with little interest in many places. I passed up a 4.95 sale version of a less expensive version, mistakening thinking price reflected quality of audiobook, which of course it does not always.

Unless you like this narrator based on another listern, perhaps you shouldn't risk enjoyment of a truly classic tale (and nice prose) by downloading this version.

A Ripping Yarn

Equal parts travelogue, picaresque adventure and spy novel, this is great story tells how a plucky Irish orphan who has grown up in the Bazaars of India decides to accompany a Tibetan lama on a quest for a sacred river. On the way he becomes embroiled in British spy intrigue with Russia. I liked the narrator and thought he did well with different voices for the various characters. But it's the story that makes this a must hear. YOu will be transported to India of the 19th century with all its different cultures and peoples.

Not great narration

Sam Dastor does a MUCH better job. This was the first narration/reading of this book for me and I LOVED the story DESPITE the narration.

Poor audio

Would you try another book from Rudyard Kipling and/or Walter Covell?

The quality of the audio recording of this book is very poor, very difficult to listen to and understand.