The Moonstone

By: Wilkie Collins

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Length: 20 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

No, the "Moonstone" isn't a celestial relic, it's a gigantic yellow diamond of unearthly beauty that was given to Rachel Verinder as a present on her 18th birthday - and stolen that very night! Betteredge, one of the most beloved butlers in English literature, is the focus of this seminal detective novel, which examines how one family's life is turned upside-down by the theft. And find out why the answers to all of life's problems can be found in the pages of Robinson Crusoe.

Public Domain (P)1989 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"The first, the longest, and the best of modern English detective novels." (T.S. Eliot)

"This finely crafted tale is riveting in the audio medium." ( Library Journal)

Loved it☺

Found the performance excellent and the story entertaining.b. It was difficult to put aside once started.

One of the best readings ever

The Moonstone is a classic, and if you like mysteries it is a must-read (or must-listen). What is truly special about this rendition is the reading. The reading is superb, done by several actors to match the voices of several narrators.

Although it is VERY long, I never once got bored - in fact I couldn't wait for my drive to/from work so that I could listen some more. This is my favorite audio book to date (I've been doing this about a year now).

Fantastic Victorian Fiction, Superbly Read

If you love good Victorian fiction, with its keen insights into human relationships and motivations, you'll love The Moonstone. This novel was never intended to be a physical action story. Ignore those people saying it's too long or--gasp!--boring. It's just right! The novel is told from several points of view with several narrators performing the various characters. In addition to Patrick Tull as the butler, audiobook customers might be interested in knowing that the narrators include Davina Porter and Frank Muller, both of whom have a large and loyal following. The Moonstone is also a great introduction to Wilkie Collins, whose works, in my opinion, are equal to those of his friend and mentor, Charles Dickens. At least two other Collins novels are available from Audible.com: The Woman in White and The Evil Genius. I hope there will be more in the future.

Don't steal sacred diamonds

The performance was outstanding. I usually do not think much of using multiple readers for novels, but in this case it truly added to the book.

The Moonstone, a valuable diamond that has already been stolen once, is stolen again. There are 7 (8?) narratives that tell the story of the mayhem surrounding the loss of the diamond and attempts to discover the thief and recover it.

What I don't see noted in many of the reviews of this book is the humor. There is drama and mystery, love and death, but this is a funny book. Betteridge, the Butler, with his fierce allegiance to Robinson Crusoe is perhaps one of my all-time favorite characters.

I agree that it does seem longer than it is -- even when it ended, there was still more to go. Part of it's Victorian charm, I suppose. I'm going to recommend this one to anyone who has the patience for it. Not a quick read, but a worthwhile one.

Great Victorian mystery, but be warned, it is long

This is a wonderful mystery, but just like his contemporary Charles Dickens, Mr. Collins writes a very long novel. Some may find this wearisome and should stick to 20th Century Pulp Fiction. Those willing to commit the time (nearly 21 hours in listening time) will find the effort worthwhile and the various readers add a dimension that make the length more than tolerable (my favorites are Gabriel Betteredge and Miss Clack)!

A classic somewhat obscured by the narration.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I know it's a classic but unfortunately I found the authentic British accent of the narrator rather heavy, interfering with my enjoyment of the reading. Usually I do not object to accents--loved Life of Pi and am a fan of Downton Abbey, but this reading obscured the text.

Vastly Victorian

I was sick in a Mexican hotel for a week while I listened. This audio book makes that week a treasured gift. The voices of the characters living different class roles in English town and country was mesmerizing. This is a medley of perspectives on values and the nuanced relationships between people. The narration is so good it seems almost impossible.

Performances were some of the best read and heard!

Being new to audio books, this was one of the first books I purchased. I thought the performances were excellent and spot on! All the characters were read very well and I particularly liked the way Mr. Collins and the performers were able to capture the essence of their character within their station in life. Mr. Blake, the hero, being very formal and a little highbrow and the butler, Mr. Betteridge, being more down to earth and "real" in his search for meanings within his Robinson Caruso. The female character, Miss Clack, grated on the nerves as a person, but the woman who read her did an amazing job of bringing across her overly-religious zealotry and passion for the good book. It felt good that the main characters felt the same about her that I did and you had to admire her persistance to spread the good word. All in all, a very well written and well performed book with quick turns of phrase and excellent visuals. It didn't matter to me who took the moonstone, I just enjoyed listening to it.

An utmost masterpiece and an unrivaled narration.

For every soul aware of the great talent and capacities of the late Mr. Collins to create vivid, unique stories with characters that truly come to life, it will not be a surprise to know that the material here offered, namely "The Moonstone" is no exception to showcase the great legacy of Mr. Collins.

For the soul unacquainted with the works of Mr. Collins, The Moonstone will proof to be a mind-riveting adventure which, with no doubt, stands at the very pinnacle of literature, and serves as proof of the unimaginable reach that Mr. Collins's mind was able to achieve.

Next to that, the unsurpassed talent and precision of the performance of the ensemble of narrators could not be more accurate and powerful in making this audio book a true jewel as amusing as the Moonstone itself.

Before listening to this audio book, I knew it was going to go over my expectations. How did I know this? I read it in Robinson Crusoe!

Sarah from South Carolina

A great period mystery. The various readers are splendid and add much to the joy of listening to the book. I listened to some parts of the book several times just to enjoy the voices and accents. The reader of the butler's part was especially entertaining.