Faust: Parts I & II

By: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Narrated by: Philippe Duquenoy

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Faust has long been considered one of the most important works of European literature ever published. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe began writing Faust in the 1770s while still a young man, spending most of his adult life on the project. Faust was finally finished almost 50 years later, near the end of his life.

Faust is a philosophical drama full of humor, satire, and tragedy. In Part 1, the demon Mephistopheles makes a bet with God that he can lure Faust from the path of good. Faust is in the middle of a personal crisis when he is visited by the demon. Mephistopheles successfully lures Faust into putting his soul on the line for a chance at true happiness but the deal only leads to tragedy.

In Part 2, the tragedy has faded and Faust now finds himself on a new path of adventure as he strives to redeem himself and is eventually released from his evil pact with the demon.

Public Domain (P)2018 Take 2 Studios

CAUTION

did not realize this is a play. entire book in rhym. i want my money back...

Concise

Reader phrased well. Translator portrayed well. Author knew all was well. Faust went not to Hell. And the enemy is naught but a worthless fool who carves out attention from those foolish enough to believe themselves worthless.

english is to german...

...as great is to good when it comes to Faust. I expected some challenges with the German to English translation as Faust is a poetic work...and I could sense that this was not originally written in English. Seeing as I cannot read German, I have to admit that this translation did not disappoint - I really enjoyed it. As for the audiobook aspect of it - I was tempted to down the book less than 30mins into it and get a printed copy. It was difficult to follow. Then it dawned on me - Faust was not meant to be read, it was meant to be heard (seen actually - as a play). So hearing it grew on me. It is still difficult to follow and I had to strain my imagination but it was worth it.

Faust is a story that one should cover a couple of times. This was my first pass and I need at least another two to get out of it what I was hoping to. Part I sets the bar really high, and Part II frustrated me at times - but it combines in an epic tale without which Part I would be half-baked.

As for the narration - I think it was expertly done but for something as challenging as Faust, I expected a slightly more diversified reading style - perhaps multiple actors / narrators with different styles for Faust and Mephistopheles at least. I listen to many books at 1.5x or even 2x speed, but Faust is something that should be listened to at 0.75x or perhaps even 0.5x. I needed it slower with more deliberate pauses. There's a lot to take in, a lot to visualise and imagine, a lot to digest and for that the narration was a bit too challenging for me.

Wonderful Performance

After listening to the other samples I decided to give this version a shot. I was definitely not disappointed in the least bit as Mr. Duquenoy put on a masterful performance throughout the entire book. Another deciding factor, both parts of the poem/play are included in this version, many of the other books seem to only include the first part.

Simply Spectacular!!

Faust is one of those thought provoking classics that depicts how our actions have consequences. The narrator really did an incredible job in his performance of this book… his voice was a pleasure to listen to. Great book to add to your collection!

How can you even attempt to write a "review" of such a universal masterpice?

By just stating what seem so obvious; The fact that this is one of the best books ever and truly a masterpiece, probably it can compel somebody to read it or listen to it. It has so many insights in to the nature of the human being and the desire to be selfish, the need to know and the product of all the forces fighting inside an individual that want to follow his / her true nature , even against themself, the heart and mind always will produce good if the search is honest.

Mind-Blowing

Before you read/listen to this, you should first read the Cliff's Notes. That background with the Cliff's Notes will help you understand this poem. It's mind-blowing. Goethe was a true literary genius. No doubt.

Unorganized presentation

There are multiple different characters in this book and the narrator goes back and forth saying the characters’ names before every line like someone reading the entire skit of a play by himself. Can’t bear it. It would be more bearable to have different voices for each character, that way we don’t have to hear “Faust: Why?” “Margaret: Why what?” “Faust: Never mind”. Get the picture?..

This is incredible

Alright so I have good news and bad news the good news is. This is an insane undertaking, I couldn’t believe that this was going to be an actual poem. I was mistaken this is a ten hour poem that rhymes and make a wonderful coherent story. The bad news is. I learned that I personally prefer my stories not be told in rhyme. But that is a personal preference, if you’re a person who enjoys poetry I don’t think you’re gonna find anything better than this.

First part was good, second part a mess

I had read part 1 of Faust before and loved it. I wanted to read the second. I honestly could have done without. No amount of additional contect the introductory chapters really explained or justified the bloated mess that is part 2.

As for the reader, I wish he spoke more conversationally than poeticly. The constant bouncing rhythm, though I'm sure the intended way to read the text, made it very hard to listen to and process. His lack of tone change when alternating between different speaking character and narraration also affected its clarity. Maybe if he had taken longer pauses between lines it would have been better.