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The Complete Essays of Montaigne  By  cover art

The Complete Essays of Montaigne

By: Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, Donald M. Frame - translator
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
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Publisher's summary

“A faithful translation is rare; a translation which preserves intact the original text is very rare; a perfect translation of Montaigne appears impossible. Yet Donald Frame has realized this feat. One does not seem to be reading a translation, so smooth and easy is the style; at each moment, one seems to be listening to Montaigne himself - the freshness of his ideas, the unexpected choice of words. Frame has kept everything.” (Andre Maurois, The New York Times Book Review)

©1958 Donald M. Frame (Translation) (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

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What listeners say about The Complete Essays of Montaigne

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Stands next to the Bible and M.A.'s Meditations

For me the greatest approbation for a book I've just read is a simple declaration that this is a book I'll read again, and perhaps one that I'll read regularly. This is a desert island work for sure. It (for me) fits into the same mental shelf space as Marcus Aurelius' Meditations or Herodotus' The Histories or Adams' The Education of Henry Adams. Some pieces of nonfiction should probably be considered a type of humanist sacred-text. One more book I've got to grab if the house is on fire. One more book I will forever be buying extra copies of so I can fop them off on unprepared friends.

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54 people found this helpful

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Excellent reading!

What about Christopher Lane’s performance did you like?

I have been switching between reading and listening to the essays. Lane's performance is so good that I have actually found the essays more immediate and grabbing while I was listening. Lane does an excellent job embodying Montaigne!

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2 people found this helpful

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A book that makes you happy!

This man is a riot. it is a great experience to listen to a man who lived in the 16th century and realize that he is you. l found a new friend who l will never meet. Pass it forward!

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6 people found this helpful

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Casual, life changing thoughts

I've slowly but steadily listened to Montaig's essays for two years. His no nonsense but deep approach to oneself might be the most refreshing philosophy I have had the pleasure of being in contact with.

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Natural yet inspiring philosophy

Montaigne is as no nonsense as they come, while being a classicist. He is a natural.

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Brilliant!

Frame's translation is the best available and Lane's performance is wonderful. I whole-heartedly recommend this.

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Montaigne!

I own a copy of this book I have taken around the world, I have re-read it many times in ten years, it is my favorite book, the translation is the only translation! I have recommended it to hundreds of people, I always mention Montaigne. Enjoy, great one of the greatest works of classic literature ever, I am satisfied with the reading, even though I am so particular and picky about it, it being wow just the most excellent rare unique thing, the book owned by Shakespeare, the man that spoke latin from birth, the man that invented the western essays, those these essays themselves, so landmark, so fantastic, so an incredible intellect, the Frame translation is just so so remarkable wonderful, I'm thankful for him on a daily basis and Montaigne, can't recommend the work enough.

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Speak to Our Times

Fairly dense stuff, a great mind drawing on all the learning of his time, yet seldom consciously so. If more disciplined I'd have tweeted quite a few passages mocking the foolishness of leaders of his time - and ours.

Personally I had to address the 40 hours in perhaps a dozen chunks with other reading in between. Any time I found my comprehension failing I'd switch to a different book, completing perhaps half a dozen others along the way. Then enjoy again the moment I resumed.

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Excellent

If you like Shakespeare you'll love Montaigne. Excellent choice or narrator for Montaigne, and a good modern translation.

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It's not easy narrating such a long book of essays

Christopher Lane does an admirable job of narrating a 50 hour book of essays. He makes navigating the sometimes convoluted thoughts of Montaigne much easier. Sometimes just hearing something spoken aloud makes the written word more accessible. This recording does just that.

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