• Their Eyes Were Watching God

  • By: Zora Neale Hurston
  • Narrated by: Ruby Dee
  • Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (11,449 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Their Eyes Were Watching God  By  cover art

Their Eyes Were Watching God

By: Zora Neale Hurston
Narrated by: Ruby Dee
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.29

Buy for $24.29

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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)

Featured Article: 175+ of the Best Quotes from Black Authors, Activists, Entrepreneurs, and Artists to Celebrate Black History Month


Black History is American History. Whether writers, poets, activists, entertainers, scientists, entrepreneurs, or some combination thereof, Black people have frequently offered exactly the right words when they were needed most. This sweeping collection of wise, stirring, and thought-provoking words from Black Americans offers much to inspire all Americans.

What listeners say about Their Eyes Were Watching God

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8,721
  • 4 Stars
    1,925
  • 3 Stars
    559
  • 2 Stars
    123
  • 1 Stars
    121
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8,634
  • 4 Stars
    846
  • 3 Stars
    232
  • 2 Stars
    61
  • 1 Stars
    63
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    7,346
  • 4 Stars
    1,717
  • 3 Stars
    544
  • 2 Stars
    117
  • 1 Stars
    88

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sweet and heartwrenching at once!

What did you love best about Their Eyes Were Watching God?

The display of humanity and true love.

What about Ruby Dee’s performance did you like?

EXCELLENT!! She totally brought the feelings and mood of the story to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The storm.

Any additional comments?

Great, great read (listen)!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great narration

The narration brought this excellent story alive. A must listen for anyone, even if you've already read the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ruby Dee is amazing

This is one of the best books and narrative performances ever posted on Audible. I will seek out Miss Ruby's other memorable performances.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The best!

I read this book for the first time twenty years ago. It was so very wonderful to listen to it! The author did such a phenomenal job writing this. The narration was superb. I couldn't stop listening. I was transported to the time and place of the characters lives with every listen. Do not hesitate to use a credit. It was so incredible!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent in every way

The narration was in a class of its own. Rarely enjoyed an audiobook as much

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story of a woman's journey.

I've attempted to read this book but got bogged down with the language used. The audiobook helped cut through the barrier between deciphering the meaning of the words and the story itself. It's a beautiful story of a woman who followed her own inner wisdom. The story also provides insights as to what black life was like in the generation after the abolition of slavery.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

incredible

ugh, so good. heart wrenching story and brilliant performance. strongly recommend, especially to capture the dialect's intended emotions.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Look no further for The Great American Novel!

Zora Neale Hurston, oh, my, GAWD!!! And Ruby Dee’s performance — just, WOW. I’ve listened to this book twice through, and am about to listen again. Pure poetry, compelling story, amazing characters, and the best (and funniest) dialogue I’ve ever heard. I’ll be picking up all Hurston’s other novels (most also read by Dee) as quick as my monthly credits allow!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Classic

I love this book. Read it and listened to it twice now. The narrator is amazing at portraying and verbally painting a story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Phenomenal Mrs. Ruby Dee!

Mrs. Ruby Dee brought this classic to like God rest her soul! I really enjoyed this story!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!