Their Eyes Were Watching God

By: Zora Neale Hurston

Narrated by: Ruby Dee

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Their Eyes Were Watching God, an American classic, is the luminous and haunting novel about Janie Crawford, a Southern Black woman in the 1930s, whose journey from a free-spirited girl to a woman of independence and substance has inspired writers and readers for close to 70 years.

This poetic, graceful love story, rooted in Black folk traditions and steeped in mythic realism, celebrates boldly and brilliantly African-American culture and heritage. And in a powerful, mesmerizing narrative, it pays quiet tribute to a Black woman who, though constricted by the times, still demanded to be heard.

Originally published in 1937 and long out of print, the book was reissued in 1975 and nearly three decades later Their Eyes Were Watching God is considered a seminal novel in American fiction.

©1937 Zora Neale Hurston, Renewed 1965 John C. Hurston and Joel Hurston (P)1997, 2000, 2004 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"For readers who know Hurston's work, this program will be a joy; for those who are lucky and wise enough to discover her here, it will be an exceptional experience." (AudioFile)

Audible music

I read 'Their Eyes Were Watching God" many years ago. I enjoyed it, though I found the conversations written in dialect hard to understand. Thank goodness for this audiobook! Ruby Dee's reading is exquisite. Through her performance, I can hear the beauty, the rhythm, the music of the language. It's a wonderful story, wonderfully written and wonderfully performed. This is my favorite audiobook so far - and that is saying a lot. Strongly, strongly recommended.

Yes

A beautiful book - so much more amazing than any description or synopsis I've read.
Ruby Dee gives a perfection narration.

Good read well read.

I liked this book. The story was compelling and the reader was excellent. I would recommend this book.

Yes

A beautiful book - so much more amazing than any description or synopsis I've read.
Ruby Dee gives a perfection narration.

From an English teacher

This is a beautifully written book that can intimidate some teenagers because of dialect and point of view. I encouraged my students to listen to this version (Ruby Dee was outstanding!) to hep then better understand all of the nuances of language in this masterpiece.

Reflection

This tale was a wonderful tale of a woman’s love, lost, and reflection of the life that she would never have again. The performance by the great Ruby Dee was fantastic. I was happy to re-connect with this tale again.

Lifetime

Like format and people how they can consume us either good or bad enlightenment. We can fight life for what it try’s to do us our minds.

The Best

This is a beautiful work, one that leaves gives me great feelings of inadequacy as a writer. it will leave you aching, and aching for more. The narration is impossibly good.

Superb performance

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

Ruby Dee is a skilled actor. She gave each character a distinctive voice and brought each one to life. Miss Dee's recording is not just a good reading: because she is so good the book became a drama fully realized on the stage in my mind. I gripped the arms of my chair during the hurricane and cried at the end.

Poetry for your soul

Hurston’s story may sound as if it was taken long ago, but her writing is pure poetry describing the human soul-
Ruby Dee’s delivery is superb in her portrayal of so many characters and brings the pages alive before your eyes- enjoy this on a summer’s night, with a cool sweet tea by your side.