The Good Companions

By: J. B. Priestley

Narrated by: Rodney Bewes

Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The Good Companions follows a number of discontents or ‘lost souls’ as they respectively gravitate towards a concert troupe that is on the verge of disbanding.

An adventure around the Shires of England following the fates and fortunes of the unlikely group, The Good Companions is a popular contemporary classic which has recently experienced a resurgence in public interest and acclaim due to the finesse of Priestley’s writing.

Public Domain (P)2003 CSA Word

Loved it

I had never heard of J. B. Priestly until a few weeks ago when I was listening to BBC Radio 4. After that I looked him up and bought this audio book. I loved it so much I am going to look for others. What varied and rich characters. Rodney Bewes did a cracking job of narrating it ‘n all.

Wonderful escapism

I am embarrassed to admit how many times over the years I have read this book. I love the characters, their names, the setting, the plot twists, the vivid portrait of a time and place in England that is far, far removed from our own. Yes, it is abridged, which saddens me, but the narrative is still rich and detailed. And Rodney Bewes does a fine job with the varied speech patterns and dialects.

BEWARE! This is abridged.

One of my favourire Priestley books. So excited to hear it read by Rodney Bewes that I didn't notice it was abridged. I abhor abridged novels ESPECIALLY of favourite books. Please add more Priestley unabridged novels.

too abridged -- less music, more book, please

This is one of favorite books, but it was pretty well hacked up in the abridging. Disappointing experience

Ok Production

The reader does fine, British accents and WC Fields. If you’ve ever tried to hold a band together, you’ll understand this.

Great great story but reading not so good

The Good Companions is an English classic written in an accessible way for Everyman. That was Priestly's intention and his theatre group portrays characters of an era.

But. Rodney Bewes was probably not the right choice of reader. Fine actor that he is, he could not carry the story along. Dialogue was fi e. Voices he can do. But the rest sounded like someone reading. There was little variation in tone or cadence.

Poor narrator

I couldn't finish it, Rodney Bewes' voice grated on me. I was disappointed as we had read this at school and wanted to enjoy it again.

Excellent

The story is wonderful as is the performance which really makes you feel a part of the story and part of the adventure!!

Disappointing

This is one of my favourite books so I was very disappointed with the reading. It was heavily and none too sensitively abridged and poorly read.

Classic!

Beautifully read Priestly novel of a group of Concert Party players.
A must-listen performance by the late Rodney Bewes.

The good comp anions

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The reading was so good that it was like listening to a play, the reader had so many fascinating voices. Not just voices but wonderful expressions of so many emotions.it was a light read but with lots of depth and beautifully expressed ..I enjoyed it in audible form, but might have found it a trifle too long as a read, I can't be sure. It was a book group choice and I am glad it was chosen as almost certainly I would not have chosen it purely through wrong thinking that it might be too old fashioned !

A treat

Thoroughly enjoyed this original tale and thought the narrator did a great job of the accents.

What a pleasant surprise…

Delightful story, full of warmth and humour. Bewes’ narration took a little getting used to, but once I’d settled into the rhythm of I thought it worked really well. Highly recommended!

Excellent

Good fun. Rodney Bews reads it very well. Will look for more of his

good enough but not exceptional. pleasant enough.

I enjoyed the relaxed medium and innocent story. It is a book of its time.