Orwell Collection

Animal Farm & 1984

By: George Orwell

Narrated by: Stephen Fry

Length: 16 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

Audible Studios presents two new recordings of George Orwell's most celebrated novels – 1984 and Animal Farm – with exclusive introductions, written and performed by Stephen Fry. 

1984

The classic dystopian social science fiction novel first published on 8th June 1949 as Orwell's ninth and final book completed in his lifetime. One of the most brilliant satires on totalitarianism and the power-hungry ever written, introducing new language as words of warning for future generations; 1984, Newspeak, Doublethink, Thought Police, Big Brother is watching you.... 

Animal Farm

One of the most influential works of the 20th century. A socio-political allegory that reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union. Set in a farmyard, where the animals decide to seize the farmer's land and create a co-operative that reaps the benefits of their combined labours. Four legs good, two legs bad....

About the narrator

Stephen Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter, film director and all-round national treasure. Whilst at university, Fry became involved with the Cambridge Footlights, where he met his long-time collaborator and friend Hugh Laurie. As half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie, he co-wrote and co-starred in A Bit of Fry & Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. Fry’s acting roles include Blackadder, Kingdom, Bones, V for Vendetta, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and The Hobbit trilogy. He has written and presented several documentary series and as a proudly out gay man, the award-winning Out There, documenting the lives of lesbian, bisexual gay and transgender people around the world is part of his 30-year advocacy of the rights of the LGBT community. Fry has written four novels, The Liar, The Hippopotamus (made in to a feature film in 2018), Making History and The Stars’ Tennis Balls. Translated into many languages, they have never been out of print. The most recently published works are Mythos and Heroes, constituting the first two parts of what will be a trilogy retelling the Greeks myths from the Creation to the aftermath of the Trojan War. Troy was published in November 2020.

Includes original theme music by renowned composer Carly Paradis, who is known for scoring the BBC’s Line of Duty and Netflix’s production of The Innocents. Featuring strings performed by Robert Ames, co-founder of the world-famous London Contemporary Orchestra. 

Public Domain (P)2021 Audible, Ltd

Fantastic and shockingly accessible.

I expected an insightful, but rather drab/depressing, journey through two dystopian nightmares. However, whilst the subject matter is indeed heavy, I was amazed at how easy and enjoyable the listen was. It's all wheat and no chaff. I regret that I had waited until my 30th birthday to approach these stories. I needn't have been fearful!

Perhaps a lot of the enjoyment comes from Fry's fantastic performance, it's the first time listening to him narrate an audio book. I intended to only listen to an hour or so a day, but I've ended up greedily consuming the content, like a certain noteworthy pig.

Outstanding in every way

An outstanding narration of two very relevant books. Highly recommended. Must read. Brilliant in every way.

These books are essential reading (‘or listening) and offer the reader the best audio version available on audible.

The reading of Animal Farm is perfect in every way - Stephen Fry’s narration could not be bettered and the fable written by Orwell is a must read, and at once enjoyable, witty and insightful.

1984 deserves to be called a classic too and with each reading the story grows in depth and significance. Stephen Fry’s narration is again impressive - perfect to the ear and flawless.

Brilliant writer, brilliant works and brilliantly narrated. 10/10 and a worthy credit spent. Indeed I would say these are books that must be read at least once in your lifetime and the audible narration makes the works accessible and will provide immense pleasure to any listener. One of the very best audios I have had the pleasure to own.

(Please note - There is another version of 1984 available with a narrator who I believe rivals the delivery of Mr Fry. For those interested, check out the penguin audio version (tape version available only) as read by John Nettles. Though abridged the delivery is sublime and evokes the tragedy, humanity and brutality of the story in devastating fashion and in a style acutely different to Stephen Fry. In 2021 the relaxation of licensing rights has seen a number of other readings available. If by chance the version by John Nettles is released then I urge the aficionado of 1984 to purchase this version also. In doing so you will have two authors whose narration unpicks different subtleties from the Orwell's masterpiece and the experience for the reader will be more profound).

As it stands, this production by Stephen Fry is outstanding and to have two great and important novels performed so brilliantly for the price of one credit, means the reader gets a real bargain.

Political propaganda gone mad

Before anybody even goes into the book they'll hear "The book and all the references to it are banned in China". "What an irony" you must think, "how lucky we are in democracy, how pathetic to be ignorant under a modern day dictatorship, how can anyone be robbed access to Orwell's great collection of literature"? Except the works of Orwell are not banned in China. I found Animal Farm in my school reading list as a child, I studied 1984 as a part of my literature programme at university, and I continue to listen to the audiobooks because 1984 happens to be my favorite book. We're in the information age, but who are really being firewalled? The amount of misinformation and ignorance among people under the media control are incredulous. I've been a huge fan of Stephen Fry, I loved listening to his intro to Jeeves and Sherlock Holmes, but this is most disappointing.

Excellent

The narration of Stephen Fry was, as usual, absolutely perfect. I have finished reading the book only a year ago in February 2020. At that time I was more thrilled by the personal story and the hopelessness ¨of individual struggle against fear, manipulation of thoughts and physical pain. I didn´t pay that much attention to the social theory of the Ingsoc... Thanks to Mr. Fry´s narration I could listen again to these thoughts and was shocked how up-to-current-date Orwell´s thinking was.
Great book, great narration and a good job publishing the book again at this time.

It was okay

It was okay no way never as goog as I 5hought it was gonna be.

Brilliant but scary

I've read Animal Farm a few times but realised I'd never read 1984. Stephen Fry brought these to life. Knowing what I know now makes these so scary about what could happen.

Awful, don’t bother, because no one at audible did

I love Stephen fry, his writing, his readings, there is nothing I love more than a Stephen fry Audiobook.
But this!!!!
He reads everything in a monotone, dull, slightly cheery (which is really at odds to what he is reading)
Doesn’t even bother to alternate his voice to distinguish characters.
For the love of god!! Just buy the Simon Cowell version of animal farm and Andrew wincott version of 1984
They put in effort, all I can say thank god I didn’t spend any money on this and just used a credit

Fantastic book read by Stephen Fry

I've always heard of 1984 and Animal Farm however I've never managed to indulge in then until now.

Stephen Fry made the world's leap out and materialise in my head from the farm lands to the distopian area of Airstrip 1.

Both fantastic books that provide a great point of reflection for modern life enhanced by Stephen Fry's voice.

I would highly recommend to those politically motivated and those who aren't. Everyone should read or hear these at least once.

Perfect!

Splendid narration of two brilliant books, especially 1984. If you haven't read or listened to either of them, then this is exactly what you're looking for.

Really enjoyed it. Thank you all involved.

Big thanks to all those who have helped bring this together, my favourite book and my favourite narrator of audio books, was never going to be anything but good.