The Virginian

By: Owen Wister

Narrated by: Richard Davidson

Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

He is the Virginian - the first fully realized cowboy hero in American literature, a near-mythic figure whose idealized image has profoundly influenced our national consciousness. This enduring work of fiction marks the birth of a legend that lives with us still.

Public Domain (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

A pure delight of western adventure

The detailed story of the western frontier was full of adventure as the Virginian lived his early life as a cowboy and courted a schoolmarm from Vermont. Both of them finding their way in the new territory with romance and intrigue. I enjoyed every bit of the descriptive and unique style of the writing. I ,also , enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape and the authentic characters of the old west. It was far more authentic than the movies and series we see today.

classic

I wish more modern books could inspire goodness and character that this book does so well.

Enjoyable book .

Good reading of a great story.Just a little wordy for today s taste. good over all.

Exceptional writing and performance

The language and plot were so skillfully written and performed that I wanted to listen nonstop

Very entertaining

The Virginian was a very entertaining and fun listen. I found myself smiling and laughing to myself many, many times. I highly recommend it.

Didn't tickle my fancy

No great complaints. Reader was okay and not irritating. Characters were not endearing to me. Tame book in the story line.

Dull

The narrator was dry, making this story not worth listening to. Went to Chapter 22 , ended it

Excellent!

Written in 1902 and so well done!! Being familiar with WY, it is a treat to listen to this very good narration! Will add to my favorites!

A must read American classic

An exceptionally written tale that holds true to the real early days of the West. For anyone wishing to read as many "classics" as possible, The Virginian is a must

Don’t revisit your childhood hero’s

The performer was good apart from his female voices. A bit cringe.
This was one of my favorite books growing up. I read it multiple times and returned to it often. My last read had been in my early 20’s and still loved it then. Decided to listen to revisit old joys and really wish I hadn’t.
Many of the overt and underlying themes and belief systems throughout, run counter to what I’ve learned in the intervening years. Where before I simply adored the Virginian as a character, I now cringed, rolled my eyes and sometimes wanted to give him a good slap.
Even in my earlier reads I had not liked Molly as a character and preferred the parts of the book where she was not present. Now I understand why, she was not a person but only a prop to better demonstrate the perceived perfection of the Virginian.
If I did not have so much nostalgia for this story, I would have given it an even lower rating. But it is still well written, and remembered love biases me towards generosity. I’ll try to remember only the parts and themes I love, forget the rest and not read again.