Deliverance

By: James Dickey

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

The smash-hit best seller that inspired the acclaimed 1972 film starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox is now available in unabridged audio for the very first time.

The setting is the Georgia wilderness, where the state's most remote white-water river awaits. In the thundering froth of that river, in its echoing stone canyons, four men on a canoe trip discover a freedom and exhilaration beyond compare. And then, in a moment of horror, the adventure turns into a struggle for survival as one man becomes a human hunter who is offered his own harrowing deliverance.

This classic tale is vividly read by movie and TV star and Audie Award-winning narrator Will Patton.

©1970 James Dickey (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

100 Best Novels ( The Modern Library)

All-Time 100 Novels ( Time)

"Will Patton's narration is nothing short of haunting. His Southern tone steadily declines from that of a man pondering all that is possible in the world to that of a shattered soul." ( AudioFile)

I felt like I was there myself

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

In most movies and books I feel I am a witness of the things happening to the caracters. In this book I felt I was one of them. When the bad guys appeared in the book I felt they were evil. It was quite upsetting. Also the wilderness being so beautiful was at the same time unfriendly. Still, it is the kind of book that leaves me thinking about it for a while after I finish it.

What about Will Patton???s performance did you like?

He is amazing. His voice keep rolling all the book, carrying the listener through it in a sort of conforting and cozy voice. It felt good. I'll be in the look out for more books narrated by him.

Detach from film impressions. Read the book!

Would you listen to Deliverance again? Why?

I might listen to this story again, simply to relive the poetic images described by a superb narrator.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

From the point in the story where two men step from the woods intent on violation, I was hooked until the end.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

This book is descriptive and written in first person narrative. Unlike books that are mostly dialogue, this story is introspective as the narrator looks back on a fateful experience in his past and the lessons learned from it. Will Patton's voice delivering James Dickey's poetic and haunting prose kept my interest all the way through.

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

I think the denouement where Ed, the main character, comes into a deeper understanding of himself and the frailty of human nature is what will stick with me.

Any additional comments?

This is a story about four men chafing at the bonds of mid-life who decide to add some excitement to their lives by taking a canoe trip into unfamiliar territory. A quote from the book is: "...another life--deliverance." That is what they are seeking at mid-life. Their deliverance comes differently than they had expected and in different ways for all of them.

Wow....couldn't stop listening

Beautifully written, harrowing, and suspenseful. Thankfully, "that scene" is slightly less repulsive (if that's even possible) in the book than it is in the movie,. The two unfortunately well-known lines were added in the movie script: they are not in the book, for which I was glad. Perfect narration. Loved it.

Amazing narration of a suspenseful story.

Where does Deliverance rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best!

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

This story required the perfect narrator, and Will Patton was just that. He intelligently, softly, and matter of factly told the story, understating the deep emotion and horror, while allowing the listener to supply her own emotions. Such a rare ability, and so masterfully accomplished.

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

I usually listen only in my car, but for this book I listened for hours on my couch, unable to let it go til the next day.

Any additional comments?

I chose this book because of the high recommendation by Pat Conroy, in his book, My Reading Life. I was not disappointed. Each word, phrase, and sentence were artfully arranged, presenting a picture that flowed through my mind so beautifully I did not want it to end.

Wow! I just finished, it's good on every level

If you could sum up Deliverance in three words, what would they be?

Very Well Done. The words were a melody singing the complications of a man's primal instincts.

Creepy and Eerie

This is probably a 3.5 for me. I enjoyed the story and the writing, but there were some parts that I found to be slow moving. From what I understand, the movie is action packed and may be the way to go if you are looking for something faster paced. However, there were many parts in this book that I found to be chilling and eerie. It also helped that I had the proper "atmosphere" for the story - I listened to it during my commute to and from work, and since it is winter, I was often in the dark as I listened to it. Very creepy!!!! The narration was excellent; I loved Will Patton's portrayal of the narrator, as it was very believable.

great performance

narrator is amazing and is a perfect fit for this book. he takes you on the river

fantastic listen!

It had been years ago when I read the book & I did enjoy reading it - but I LOVED listening to this! I wasn't bored for a minute, it is one of those books you just can't stop listening to.

Incredibly well written and narrated!

Saw the movie years ago, but the book paints a picture so vividly that no movie could ever capture. This was a really good book and worth listening too!

Great book about the draw and dangers of the river

Excellent look into what will draw men into unknown and dangerous situations. The unknowns of the wilderness and fellow man.