Noble House

By: James Clavell

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

Length: 54 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

This spellbinding adventure is a literary triumph that proves once again why James Clavell's books have become modern classics.

Set in Hong Kong in 1963, the action of Noble House spans scarcely more than a week, but these are days of high adventure: from kidnapping and murder to financial double dealing and natural catastrophes - fire, flood, landslide. Yet they are also days filled with all the mystery and romance of Hong Kong - the heart of Asia - rich in every trade...money, flesh, opium, power.

©1981 James Clavell (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Another epic, full of twists, turns and surprises.

slow to start, but stick with it as the storyline builds and proves to be an excellent read. narrator makes a superb job of reading it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

gripping finish to a superbly written novel.

Found it hard to stop listening at times. Could not wait to find out which way things where going to turn next

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Epic is right!

Long but worth it really grabs you and doesn't let go...
Fast, and still modern .. Can't recommend it enough really exciting and heartbreakingly good but the timing and you won't regret it

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Exceptional and original work. Exemplary.

Exceptional and original work with characters that felt as though you had known them all your life. The Narrator brought this to life with a range of voices and characterisations that have to be heard to be believed. My only complaint is that I have now completed the whole series......I suppose I will have to start again. Thank you for a brilliant series of books...…"Four Finger Wong" Really !!!..... Loved all of it. Mr. Stephen D. Woods-Shepherd. M.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons.).

Many characters, many plots, disaster and triumph,

Fantastic listen, you'll fall in love with some and detest others, you'll believe the truth only to be proved wrong. The journey sucks you into the vortex of easy money and unlimited power. Choosing not to read this book will be a regret you'll never know!

Hard to put down!

I listened to this under my motorbike helmet on the way to work, during work and again on the way home!
I have read Shogun and Tai Pan in hard copy and because I enjoyed this so much I am going to buy King Rat on Audible as well .

Narrator is a bit poo story is brilliant.

Story rises far above Ralph Listers' shouty narration. Every character is indeed a character and the setting and intrigue will suck you in. Intensely engaging.

brilliant

Another fantastic book in the Asian saga, Mr Lister continues to bring so much to the story as he did in Shogun, his brilliant performance just enhances an amazing story. highly recommended

Wonderful story, shouty narration

Working my way through the Asian Saga, my memories of Noble House were of a cracking good read. And glad to say, the story itself lived up to expectations - almost 100%. I noticed the 60s standards much more this time, with a few wince moments at the sexism of characterisations. However, more than compensated for by the masterful weaving of all the storylines into a satisfying tapestry. I remember wanting the whole story to continue, at its breakneck speed, and had the same sense at completing the audio-book. Wanted to know what happened to all the characters!

Sad to say, the narration was nowhere near as good as for the others in the series. Mr Lister seemed to convey emotions by shouting a lot, and some of the regional accents were just shocking. Any attempt at a Scottish accent was pitiful - which is ridiculous since the Scottish characters in the Struans/Dunross storylines are central to the storyline. Since the same actor did Shogun (and I do remember thinking that Blackthorne shouted a lot - but that was more in character), it is surprising that this was such a disappointing return.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Very poor narration

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Less strained reading and much better accents

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Too hard to listen to. Never got anywhere near the end

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His voice was strained throughout and often at a fever pitch, when that was not required. All characters and general narration sounded identical, whether Scottish, Chinese, American, young, old, female, male, so it was not possible to recognise any characters from their voices.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Any redeeming qualities were ruined by the narrator.

Any additional comments?

Taipan was read excellently, by a different narrator, and was a good experience.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful