The Eye of the World

Book One of The Wheel of Time

By: Robert Jordan

Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer

Length: 29 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

"These veteran narrators keep the plot moving and the narration fresh" (AudioFile Magazine)

This program is read by Audie Award-winning narrators Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, and includes a bonus interview with the author.

Now an original series starring Rosamund Pike as Moiraine!

The first novel in Robert Jordan's #1 New York Times bestselling epic fantasy series, The Wheel of Time®.

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Moiraine Damodred arrives in Emond’s Field on a quest to find the one prophesized to stand against The Dark One, a malicious entity sowing the seeds of chaos and destruction. When a vicious band of half-men, half beasts invade the village seeking their master’s enemy, Moiraine persuades Rand al’Thor and his friends to leave their home and enter a larger unimaginable world filled with dangers waiting in the shadows and in the light.

Since its debut in 1990, The Wheel of Time® has captivated millions of readers around the globe with its scope, originality, and compelling characters.

The Wheel of Time®
New Spring: The Novel
#1 The Eye of the World
#2 The Great Hunt
#3 The Dragon Reborn
#4 The Shadow Rising
#5 The Fires of Heaven
#6 Lord of Chaos
#7 A Crown of Swords
#8 The Path of Daggers
#9 Winter's Heart
#10 Crossroads of Twilight
#11 Knife of Dreams

By Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
#12 The Gathering Storm
#13 Towers of Midnight
#14 A Memory of Light

By Robert Jordan and Teresa Patterson
The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time

By Robert Jordan, Harriet McDougal, Alan Romanczuk, and Maria Simons
The Wheel of Time Companion

By Robert Jordan and Amy Romanczuk
Patterns of the Wheel: Coloring Art Based on Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time

Listen to more books in The Wheel of Time series.

©1990 Robert Jordan (P)1996 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal." (The New York Times)

Gets better with each reading

Robert Jordan is a giant and his Wheel of Time series is a towering classic. For me it has such a depth that each reading or listening gives me something new and fresh. The characters become like old friends I'm happy to visit with again. This audio version sings to me. If you have a love of stories well crafted and well told this will sing to you as well.

Finally a way to enjoy this book

I have been trying to read this book for years now and never could, the audio book was so good I couldn't put it down!

Gripping and Expansive

Having NOT been a fan of the long, epic story that often waxes and wanes over time, I have to admit that Jordan has written a compelling and masterfully woven story...one that I found gripping and thoughtfully expansive each and every hour I listened to it.

These complex yet understandable characters have been my companions for weeks as I listened to the story of their plight...fearing both what was going to happen next to them, as well as the end of the story which inexorably drew nearer and nearer.

I can't wait to listen to the remaining stories...I have been captured by the lives of these simple farmers and their motley crew of friends (both dark and light).

Well worth the time spent listening. Well worth the investment. Thank you Jordan for writing something worthwhile and interesting!

Great story!

loved the book. great story and done well. the narrator change threw me a bit but nothing too crazy.

came highly recommended

this was highly recommended to me, I'm very glad I tried it. I love it.

best series ever

I loved it when I read it, and the audio does not disappoint. highly recommend

My Favorite Series

Would you listen to The Eye of the World again? Why?

I enjoyed Kate Reading and Micheal Kramer narrating this series. They did an excellent job with developing the personalities of the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Eye of the World?

For me, the beginning of Perrin's journey as a wolf brother was my favorite part.

Which character – as performed by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer – was your favorite?

I enjoyed all of the characters as they performed them.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would love to sit and listen to this straight through, though it is way to long to do so.

Any additional comments?

I have since moved on to other book series that are narrated by Kate and Michael, including the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson.

Epic

There is not much I can add to what has been said already about this book and this series. When you are doing a review on a series as famous at The Wheel of Time, you just try not to sound too enthusiastic or too bland. Personally I really like this series but consider The Eye of the World a mistake. I only say that because you feel as if you are walking into a story in the middle of it as it starts. The publishing of New Spring solved that problem, but at the initial publication of The Eye of the World it caused some issues with me.That being said, in all other respects this book is fantastic. In the fantasy genre there are few authors that can weave a tale like Robert Jordan. His storytelling skill is only matched by the likes of Tolkien, Lewis, and Feist just to name a few that have so deeply influenced the genre like Jordan. Jordan's attempt to use the myths, legends, and philosophies in our history to shape the world in which his characters reside is done with a care and diligence that you don't find in many works published today. This is a fitting start to an epic tale, that will take you far afield of your normal lives, and give you a look into the imagination of a man truly inspired by his Muse.

Kate Reading and Michael Kramer do a fantastic job narrating this story. For anyone wondering Reading handles the chapters that are written from a female character's perspective and Kramer a man's. They bring this work to life in a manner that would make Robert Jordan proud, and present his work with a thespian flourish that makes the story grab the listener and pull them into the world of The Wheel of Time.

Fabulous start to the series.

This was a fantastic book with all good qualities -- great characters and character development, A well developed world, and a well written story that tees up the following g books. Fantastic!!!

Still great after 5 times

What made the experience of listening to The Eye of the World the most enjoyable?

I am updating my review from several years ago (in fact, I am not certain I gave a written review on this title before). Now that I have listened to well over 100 books on Audible, I can easily say that Michael Kramer does an incredible job with this series. His performance in the first book (the one I am leaving this review for) is not as perfected as his performances in future books, it is likely due to the fact that he is getting used to the characters. His voice for Loial gets better and better as the series goes on. Eventually, you will know the character he is voicing without any cue.

Kate Reading only has a couple performances in this first book. I remember thinking when I first heard the series that I didn't like her style, but now I know it's more the fault of how Jordan writes the women in this series.

What did you like best about this story?

Robert Jordan does a great job keeping the characters (who are from a very small community) innocent and "doe-eyed." This is, by far, the aspect of the story that I enjoy the most. Each of the male characters is distinct, with strong characteristics to separate their personalities. On the other hand, even after five reads through the series, I have a difficult time distinguishing any standout characteristics about the female characters. Many people have complained about the weak representations of the female characters within the series, and I tend to agree; however, the series is still one of my favorites.

Which character – as performed by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer – was your favorite?

Michael Kramer does an amazing job with many of the voices and personalities, but Thom Merrilin is, hands down, the best of the group. Michael Kramer has such a rich tone when speaking in Thom's voice and his bravado is superb. Kate Reading doesn't really have a moment to shine in this first book, so I will save my assessment for future books. I can say, however, that having listened to the entire series (sans the last book) Kate Reading doesn't really do as great a job as her husband with this material.

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

There have always been parts of this book that make me laugh and cry. I don't want to give those moments away, but I think these moments are related to the pure nostalgia of childhood and the innocence lost as we age.