The Blue Fairy Book

By: Andrew Lang

Narrated by: Angele Masters

Length: 14 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Here are some of the finest fairytales from around the world - most of them old favorites: "Sleeping Beauty," "Rumpelstiltskin," "Cinderella," three from "The Arabian Nights," and many more. Andrew Lang was one of the most famous literary critics around 1900. He also edited a series of children's fable books that preserved and illustrated a host of tales which are still used extensively today.

Public Domain (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Narrator kept making gross noises.

I couldn’t finish this book. The narrator kept making gross noises with her mouth. Swallowing saliva or licking her lips. It was disgusting to listen to. I know that’s probably natural when you’re just sitting there and talking for hours, but it was always during breaks in her speech, they could have easily edited it out. But they didn’t.

My children are spellbound

Where does The Blue Fairy Book rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best audiobooks we've listened to. It goes for hours and hours and keeps my young children (6 and 8) spellbound for well over an hour at a time. They love it, and so do I, because they are learning wonderful vocabulary and quality story-telling while they enjoy the exciting stories.

Will listen to again and again

The performance is above mediocre, but that is probably because we have become accustomed to all star performances, such as Tim Curry, Elijah Wood, and the like. That said, my children pay no attention to that. They loved this book and will listen to it over and over. My two oldest are ages 6 and 8.

The Original Fairy Tales, No Disney Here

Would you listen to The Blue Fairy Book again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to, "The Blue Fairy Book" again. Who can resist the classics AND a great narrator!

What did you like best about this story?

The best thing about, "The Blue Fairy Book" is that it reminds me of the fairy tales that I read in England when I was young. This isn't necessarily the book for children, unless an adult explains it and makes sure the children don't think this is real. I would have read it to my daughter, but not my son. He had nightmares and this would make them worse.

Nostalgia made new

I had forgotten how good these stories were. Although they're full of testosterone and not the Disney versions, they make great listening. These are the myths and legends of society. Angele Masters does a great Gaelic accent, and is at her best when voicing old women and heroes.

Racist, Patriarchal, Ableist, Classist, Misogynistic, Ageist

Stories of a bygone era, these can stay in the past where they belong. These are NOT for children if you hope your children grow into a democracy that honors all people. This IS the kind of smut that programs misogyny, racism, ableism, ageism, classism, and entitlement into our unconscious minds to run without our awareness while setting us up for internal biases. Stay away if that matters to you.

Thirsty swallowing

Please stop recording the sound of swallowing.

Fun fairytales, More like the original grimms bros than Disney. Just wasn’t into the narrator.

Angele Masters narration

Any additional comments?

While Masters did some very good voices & I loved her Scots accent in the final few tales, there were audible mouth sounds (mostly swallowing sounds) which I found off-putting.

WTF?!? “Hideous N******” ?!?!?! This should be removed!!

‘Not appropriate whatsoever, should be removed immediately for its use of racial slurs! Not ok Audible!!

Stupid and dumb crap!!!

All I can say about this book is that it is f***ing s*** I mean how stupid can these people honestly be!

Too many Christian references

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Any Christian who wants to hear how the christians 'save the day'

What was most disappointing about Andrew Lang’s story?

I was after some original fairy stories and got Christian messages (they're not veiled, they are referred to).

How could the performance have been better?

This be honest, if I had to listen to over 14 hours of this narrator, I may have to put myself out of my misery first...

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

It was free...?

Any additional comments?

You pay for what you get.