The Great Train Robbery

By: Michael Crichton

Narrated by: Michael Kitchen

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

In teeming Victorian London, where lavish wealth and appalling poverty live side by side, Edward Pierce charms the most prominent of the well-to-do as he cunningly orchestrates the crime of the century. Who would suspect that a gentleman of breeding could mastermind the daring theft of a fortune in gold? Who could predict the consequences of making the extraordinary robbery aboard the pride of England's industrial era, the mighty steam locomotive? Based on fact, as lively as legend, and studded with all the suspense and style of a modern fiction master, here is a classic caper novel set a decade before the age of dynamite - yet nonetheless explosive....

Michael Crichton wrote and directed the screen adaptation of The Great Train Robbery, starring Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland.

©1975 Michael Crichton; Copyright renewed 2003 by CrichtonSun LLC (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

Narration outstanding

Would you listen to The Great Train Robbery again? Why?

I learned so much about the Victorian Era, and having watched many Foyle's War movies, Michael Kitchen is familiar and I do not agree with others who found his narration displeasing. The story as 'caper' was fun, but the social background gave it depth.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Crichton did a great job in bringing all of the characters to life.

Have you listened to any of Michael Kitchen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first experience with him as a book narrator, but I'm definitely looking forward to finding more.

Any additional comments?

The contrast between "criminals' who are people and "criminals" who are institutions such as the British Empire was eye-opening even though I've recently listened to the Great Courses British Empire lectures and other mid 19th century books. A recent news story about the city of Detroit finally getting their street lights back, made me wonder if they will have the problems that London had when they got gas lights for their streets.
The PBS series about Queen Victoria will be more meaningful now.

Excellent!

Gripping story, great research on Chrichton's part as usual and a brilliant romantic portrayal of Victorian society, all enhanced by a masterful reading performance!

A Good Read…

… though not historically accurate.

The story was well written and narrated, but for me, the most intersting parts of this book were the historical ones. The look at current day attitudes, values, and life at that period of technology were fascinating. A little research reveals this is not a true depiction of the actual event. I assumed some fictional deviation occurred, but the author himself explained he didn't want to be constrained by true events. This somewhat diminishes the book, as I found the historical parts of it the best parts.

10-star narration!

Michael Kitchen is a terrific narrator for this book… Story is compelling and a fascinating look at mid 19th-century London.

A wonderful story with the perfect narrator

One of Michael Crichton's best novels, with a pitch-perfect performance by Michael Kitchen. Even if you've seen the movie, you're bound to be surprised and delighted by this audiobook.

Great story, if not historically accurate

The great train robbery of 1855 was a great heist, but not as heroic as made out here. And not by a gentleman master criminal. But the language and delivery are lovely. It's one of the most enjoyable books I have heard.

A compelling book.

An erudite picture of Victorian England beautifully written. The narrator is genius. Crichton at his best.

Lots and Lots of Details

The story was well presented, the narration superb but it felt as if there was much to much fill.
As in many audio books the back ground in this story was presented clearly but then the end was just dropped on us.

Great historical novel

A good crime novel with a nice collection of facts about Victorian England along with incomprehensible London criminal slang. A joy to listen to.

amazing performance had me laughing out loud

was an amazing performance similar to a Guy Ritchie movie had me laughing and laughing. The story was similar to a Ocean's 11 type plot which made it very interesting and entertaining.