The Far Pavilions

By: M. M. Kaye

Narrated by: Vineeta Rishi, Blake Ritson, Ayesha Dharker

Length: 4 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of M.M. Kaye’s epic novel of love and war.

M.M. Kaye’s masterwork is a vast, rich and vibrant tapestry of love and war that spans over twenty years, moving from the foothills of the Himalayas, to the burning plains, to the besieged British Mission in Kabul.

It begins in 1857 when, following the Indian Mutiny, young English orphan Ashton is disguised by his ayah Sita as her Indian son, Ashok. As he forgets his true identity, his destiny is set...A story of divided loyalties and fierce friendship; of true love made impossible by class and race; a critique of the imperialist adventure; and an examination of the cultural and spiritual clash between East and West, ‘The Far Pavilions’ is a searing insight into the human heart.

Vineeta Rishi (‘The Last Detective’) stars as Sita and the Narrator, with Blake Ritson as Ashok/Ashton and Ayesha Dharker as Anjuli.

©2011 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2011 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

DISAPPOINTING

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I thought this would be a narration of the book, but it was actually a drama which condenses the book into a BBC performance. The narration was very good but I was looking for the complete book.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Narrator was very good.

Was The Far Pavilions worth the listening time?

It was worth it if you were not looking for complete book but just the condensed version.

Don't bother

I love this book! but whoever thought it was a good idea to have it narrated by an Indian woman was nuts. It's like you have to remind yourself constantly, throughout, that this is a story about a British MAN in India. It would have been lovely if she was an addition to the narration, but not for the mostly male characters!

It's okay if you haven't read the unabridged book.

Any additional comments?

I read the unabridged book many, many years ago and never forgot it. It was simply splended! Unfortunately, I didn't realize when I bought this audible version that it would condense a big, fat book into a mere 4+ hours of listening. The detail with which the author took great pains to include in the book created for me a totally different world. I was privileged to spend time within the castle walls and experience the politics and morays that gave meaning to certain actions taken by the characters. I felt that I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. (I should add that the movie that was made of this book also fell very flat.)

All in all, if you're interested in this book, I'd highly recommend going out and buying the unabridged paperback and reading it cover to cover. The story is meant to be a saga, not just a story, and it simply cannot be captured in any condensed format. If all you're looking for is a story that takes place in India in the early 1900s, I believe it is, then you'll probably be okay with the audible version.

wonderful

the story was told just as I remembered watching the film as a child. lovely memories

More culture and history

i wanted to hear more about Indian culture and history.. The story was enjoyable and sweet.

Epic!

This Audiobook boasts a stellar cast performing at their best, beautiful music that supports the imaginatively illustrated scenes, paired with appropriate sound effects.
I wish all audiobooks were so complete.
It transports you into the mind of the Author. Brilliant!

So sad

What would have made The Far Pavilions better?

I loved the book, but this is just bad, the story jumps, and misses a lot.

What could M. M. Kaye have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

MM Kaye wrote a good book, I have loved and shared it with many others, but this shortened version is not worth it.

What character would you cut from The Far Pavilions?

would not have cut more, but brought back more from the full book.

Disappointed

Would you try another book from M. M. Kaye and/or the narrators?

Only if it is actually the book and not an audio play.

Any additional comments?

Wish I had read the other reviews. Was not what I expected at all. The discription did not lead me to expect it was not an actual audio book. It doesn't indicate it is abridged.