The Invasion of the Body Snatchers

By: Jack Finney

Narrated by: Kristoffer Tabori

Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

On a quiet fall evening in the small, peaceful town of Mill Valley, California, Dr. Miles Bennell discovers an insidious, horrifying plot. Silently, subtly, almost imperceptibly, alien life-forms are taking over the bodies and minds of his neighbors, his friends, his family, the woman he loves, and the world as he knows it.

This classic 1955 thriller of the triumph of the human spirit over an invisible enemy inspired the acclaimed 1956 film, directed by Don Siegel and named one of Time magazine's 100 Best Films. Blackstone's edition is read by Don Siegel's son, actor-director Kristoffer Tabori, an Emmy and Audie Award winner, and concludes with the narrator's insider reminiscences of his father's work on the film.

©1955, 1983 Jack Finney (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

• Nominee, 2008 Audie Award, Science Fiction

One of the best buys yet

This was a deal of the day and one of the best values I've come across to date. Excellently written, excellently performed, and totally unnoticeable production (that's the best thing you can say about production values).
Get it. Hear it. Love it.

Dated, but still great.

This story has the gender norms you would expect from its era, but I don't find that to be necessarily a bad thing. If you do, then be forewarned. The original movie, didn't exactly follow the book in every detail, but it's pretty close. If you enjoy one, you will like the other. Well read by Kristoffer Tabori.

On a one to five scale:

Violence: 1 for mild physical altercations, etc.
Gore factor: 1 for mildly descriptive horror scenes, pods turning into people, etc.
Language: 0, suitable for all ages in this respect
Sexuality: 1 for vague references to mature relationships. Again, suitable for any but the smallest children in this regard.
Difficulty level: 2, an easy read.

Classic Science fiction at its very best

I listen to history about 90 percent of the time but occasionally take a break for literature. I also love classic pulp or science fiction and this novel is both. The reader is especially good. At the end you hear him interviewed and he turns out to be the son of the great director Don Siegel who just happened to have directed the original film adaptation of Body Snatchers. Definitely gave this book a listen, its great creepy fun.

A fun listen.

The title grabbed my interest with a vague resonance of long ago either having seen the movie or read the book, but at the very least knowing of it being an iconic tale among those that fertilized the mind of a young Stephen King. The narration sample sold me and thanks to the reader's enjoyable style, tone, and pacing made the listening a really fun ride.

Excellent oldie, but goodie

I have listened to this several times—once a year since purchasing—and I love it. The narrator does a great job with the story and although some descriptions are dated, I find it truly adds to the story. I listen as though I was in that time, rather than listen through the lens of modern times.

Too good to pass up!

Kristoffer Tabori gives an excellent performance to a classic story! This is well worth a credit and I will surely listen to this one again.

Excellent Sci-Fi Thriller

While I was looking for a new book I stumbled across this one and I remembered seeing the old movie, so I took a chance - and I am glad I did. I cannot say enough about how excellent both the story and the narration were - I was completely absorbed from the first sentence all the way through to the end. Set sometime in the 20th century, a lot of the content seemed quaint, yet nevertheless intense. The length of the book was just right for this story - about 6 hours. If you enjoy Sci-Fi you will not be disappointed. Following the book there is a discussion with the narrator that is very interesting as well - he is the son of the director of the first movie.

So good!

I absolutely loved this audiobook! I'm not sure when the book was written...if it was before the early 50's movie, or if it was adapted from the movie, but whenever it was, it was a while ago and it holds up so beautifully. The writing is fantastic, and in no way ages or dates the book. The character development is wonderful, and I found myself hoooked right off the starting line. There was just enough intrigue and suspense that I simply could not stop listening. So creative and smart! The narrator is one that I had not heard before, but he is brilliant! Made the listening such a joy. I can not wait to listen to this gem again!

suspense

I am a fan of the movie so I jumped at the chance to pick up the audio book. I loved every moment of it. Not only is it a great story, it is also a stroll back to the late 1950s when it was written.

Like much of the science fiction of the 50s and 60s, it doesn't always seem believable. However that simply adds to the charm of the book.

If you enjoy this type of story then don't wait. Enjoy it today.

superb narration!

I really enjoyed this classic. definitely worth getting. and the narration for this book is spectacular!!!