Deliverance

By: James Dickey

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

The smash-hit best seller that inspired the acclaimed 1972 film starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox is now available in unabridged audio for the very first time.

The setting is the Georgia wilderness, where the state's most remote white-water river awaits. In the thundering froth of that river, in its echoing stone canyons, four men on a canoe trip discover a freedom and exhilaration beyond compare. And then, in a moment of horror, the adventure turns into a struggle for survival as one man becomes a human hunter who is offered his own harrowing deliverance.

This classic tale is vividly read by movie and TV star and Audie Award-winning narrator Will Patton.

©1970 James Dickey (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

100 Best Novels ( The Modern Library)

All-Time 100 Novels ( Time)

"Will Patton's narration is nothing short of haunting. His Southern tone steadily declines from that of a man pondering all that is possible in the world to that of a shattered soul." ( AudioFile)

Fear of the other

What made the experience of listening to Deliverance the most enjoyable?

Like most people I saw the movie years ago, and never revisited it. After reading the reviews I decided to give the audio book a try. The story is gripping and engaging far darker and more disturbing in it's narration than it was on the screen. The story is very well written, with Mr. Dickey painting a picture with words, you can almost smell the water.
The only thing that detracts from this is the audio, either in the engineering or reading the southern draw of Will Patton turns in to a drawn out and popping S sound that soon becomes all you can hear.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I appreciate the southern draw however the drawn out s became an issue and distraction

A thrilling story.

I thorouvhly enjoyed the story.
It started a bit slow but it really pocked up.
The most suspenseful and exciting part for me was Ed climbing the cliff and hu tinv down the hunter.

The narrator was simply fantastic. I am sure his reading made this a great audio book.

I couldn’t put this book down

I almost didn’t get this book because I seldom read a book after I’ve seen the movie. The story was mesmerizing. Much better than the film - more depth and details. Will Patton has a voice like butter. To say I loved it, is an understatement.

Still good after all these years.

I saw this movie ions ago. This is a very good story. Not every minute, because it does drag in a few spot. Umm thats why they make the fast forward button. Sometimes I think they all just write some pages just for filler. Blah blah yeah okey now back to the story.

fascinating but very harsh

some of the writing, the use of the English language, is amazing
the story is very harsh and often very difficult to listen to
This is too raw and crude for me!

will Patton squel like a pig... in a good way

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

Absolutely blown away by the narration. So would've thought will Patton was so good

What was one of the most memorable moments of Deliverance?

Really enthralling book and great American novel.

Which character – as performed by Will Patton – was your favorite?

All... He nails it. Riveting book you just want them to get away

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Old book breathed new life by narration

Any additional comments?

Get this one

The movie was great, the book is good.

Would you consider the audio edition of Deliverance to be better than the print version?

NA

If you’ve listened to books by James Dickey before, how does this one compare?

NA

Did Will Patton do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It brought back memories from when I saw the movie at the drive in...I still can think of the strong performances of the actors like Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Jon Voight. Now that I heard the audiobook, I can see where they got some of that passion. A very good book, moving, and spellbinding.

Any additional comments?

I found a few chapters that got mired down in description, which I could have easily turned the page if I had read the book.
The overwhelming action sequences where they are in the river, fighting for thier lives in canoes grabs a hold of you, and makes you feel just like you are on the riverbank viewing all this.

Really didn't know what I was getting myself into

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

Not sure. I thought this was more about adventure.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I'm glad this was over. A little too deep for me.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I couldn't separate myself away from Remember the Titans. I guess his voice was perfect for this. His slow southern drawl.

Was Deliverance worth the listening time?

Don't think so.

Great story, Perfect narrator

amazing story perfect narrator. Very thrilling great characters. Seeing the movie beforehand will not ruin this book.

A book that surprised me

This book surprised me. I had seen the movie once long ago but never thought to pick up the book.

I chose it as an audiobook because I like to listen to intense, creepy/disturbing books while I’m out running (weirdly motivating to me!).

What I didn’t expect was that the book would totally hook me. Instead of listening on my runs, I just binge listened over two days.

It’s brutal, primal, survivalist. Here and there it comes across a bit dated and definitely told from a male perspective but the underlying themes still resonate.