The Dig

By: John Preston

Narrated by: Simon Vance, Kate Reading, Fiona Hardingham, Derek Perkins

Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Reimagining the Sutton Hoo dig, the greatest Anglo-Saxon archaeological discovery on British soil, John Preston brilliantly dramatizes three months of intense activity on a small estate when locals fought outsiders, professionals thwarted amateurs, and love and rivalry flourished in equal measure.

In the long hot summer of 1939, Britain is preparing for war, but on a riverside farm in Suffolk there is excitement of another kind. Mrs. Pretty, a widowed farmer, has had her hunch proved correct that the strange mounds on her land hold buried treasure. As an archaeological dig proceeds against a background of mounting national anxiety, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary find, and the discovery leads to a host of jealousies and tensions.

Elegantly crafted with great tenderness and a poignant attention to detail, The Dig is more than a novel about archaeology. At its very core, this is a novel about the traces of life we all leave behind.

©2007 John Preston (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Beautiful story and imagery

This was a nicely paced story with intriguing characters and plot. I enjoyed it very much and am hesitant to see the film because the images in my mind are so rich. I also loved the performances!

Excellent sound recording

I read the book because I saw the movie. Fascinating subject because it’s true. Makes me want to see the artifacts after COVID.

This book went very quick. wish it had been longer

Narration was great. One character was written sketchily. I had to speed her up. Nothing unpredictable written for her, but hope I was wrong. Something like skimming thru written paragraphs hoping for plot twist.

interesting

I enjoyed this story. found it very interesting. I understand there is also a movie though I have not seen it.

Very Satisfying Read

What precisely is “a satisfying read”? To me, it needs to tell an interesting story, contain characters you like and dislike with varying intensity, and probably most importantly, be written with a linear pace, not necessarily agonizing over each detail one after the other, but manages to answer questions that arise in the readers head completely but in due course.
“The Dig” is just such a book.

Lovely, mournful book

Loved it. Fascinating story, beautifully told. Narration good although I thought the actor who voiced Peggy leant to much into making her sound like a 12 year old. But the other 3 narrators were excellent.

Unusual story bracketed by the WW I and WWII.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I found the language usage to be very effective, and reminiscent of Thomas Hardy.. A great cast of characters which were well developed, each with a different voice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dig?

When the first archeologist is replaced by a "big shot." That made me mad.

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

No I have not.

Great for Archeology Enthusiasts!

I love Archeology and I loved this book. All of the subtle jealousy, backstabbing and greed that runs under the surface of a dig! I learned bunches about British Ancient History too! Great characters and great reading, she does realistic voices and all!

Fantastic!

I watched the movie prior to listening to the book, and as always I am so glad that I ended up listening to the story! Sutton Hoo has always fascinated me, so this was an interesting listen :) I also loved the voices, perfect for the characters!

Dull coverage of a glittering p

All in all, a fairly dull read of what I thought would be an exciting story. Strangely I heard that the movie was better, not usually the case. I was glad that it was short. St