• Their Eyes Were Watching God

  • By: Zora Neale Hurston
  • Narrated by: Ruby Dee
  • Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (11,456 ratings)

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Their Eyes Were Watching God  By  cover art

Their Eyes Were Watching God

By: Zora Neale Hurston
Narrated by: Ruby Dee
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Publisher's summary

Their Eyes Were Watching God, an American classic, is the luminous and haunting novel about Janie Crawford, a Southern Black woman in the 1930s, whose journey from a free-spirited girl to a woman of independence and substance has inspired writers and readers for close to 70 years.

This poetic, graceful love story, rooted in Black folk traditions and steeped in mythic realism, celebrates boldly and brilliantly African-American culture and heritage. And in a powerful, mesmerizing narrative, it pays quiet tribute to a Black woman who, though constricted by the times, still demanded to be heard.

Originally published in 1937 and long out of print, the book was reissued in 1975 and nearly three decades later Their Eyes Were Watching God is considered a seminal novel in American fiction.

©1937 Zora Neale Hurston, Renewed 1965 John C. Hurston and Joel Hurston (P)1997, 2000, 2004 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"For readers who know Hurston's work, this program will be a joy; for those who are lucky and wise enough to discover her here, it will be an exceptional experience." (AudioFile)

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What listeners say about Their Eyes Were Watching God

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Their Eyes Were Watching God

Great story and great performance by Ruby Dee. I loved Hurston’s poetic writing style. She makes every sentence count .

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Exquisite Writing!

Hurston writes poetry in the skin of prose. I never get tired of reading this text for the simple beauty of her writing. And Ruby Dee definitely understood the assignment! She does a brilliant job of bringing the characters to life. This was definitely a literary and listening treat!

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So mind opening

Love this story. Allows one to make unique interpretations based on personal experiences. Everyone can get value from this book

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Amazing all the way around.

The story is an absolute masterpiece and Ruby Dee brings it to life in all its perfection.

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“You got tuh go there tuh know there”

As Edwidge Danticat states in her foreword, “I am amazed by the way [Hurston] often managed to use the places and circumstances she found herself in to create a room, a world, of her own”

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Phenomenal!

Ruby narrates this life story in a way that transports you in time! Loved it!

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How it really was

There was nothing to dislike
It was as real is the story was told
Great book
The book is for people to read,to understand how it was than in the south of Florida,
not a easy life to make a living.
Better on audio than read the book I think.

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Magnificent story

I loved this book. The audible version is excellent. I felt like I was a part of the story. Zora Neal Hurston had a wonderful use of imagery and the narrator did its justice.

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A must read for those with eyes and a heart.

A must read for those with eyes and a heart.
The writing alone is gold. The story is engaging and memorable. And the characters are so real you forget this isn't nonfiction.

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Sweet story

I was listening to fall asleep, the story was so well written and narrated I listened all night until now. wonderful book. Going to take a nap😇

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