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The Virginian

By: Owen Wister
Narrated by: Richard Davidson
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Editorial reviews

In addition to being one of the first full-length Western novels, Owen Wister's The Virginian still ranks among the most satisfying. Richard Davidson's performance of this classic tale of an honorable cowboy and the woman who loves him captures the outsized personalities that populated the Wyoming frontier at the turn of the century. Davidson summons the particular cadences of good guys as well as villains, Indians as well as refined East Coast schoolteachers. The performer's gilded and self-assured delivery reveals his sizable experience. He has won the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Audiobook Non-fiction and has performed over 200 audiobooks in his career.

Publisher's summary

He is the Virginian - the first fully realized cowboy hero in American literature, a near-mythic figure whose idealized image has profoundly influenced our national consciousness. This enduring work of fiction marks the birth of a legend that lives with us still.

Public Domain (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Virginian

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A pure delight of western adventure

The detailed story of the western frontier was full of adventure as the Virginian lived his early life as a cowboy and courted a schoolmarm from Vermont. Both of them finding their way in the new territory with romance and intrigue. I enjoyed every bit of the descriptive and unique style of the writing. I ,also , enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape and the authentic characters of the old west. It was far more authentic than the movies and series we see today.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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classic

I wish more modern books could inspire goodness and character that this book does so well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable book .

Good reading of a great story.Just a little wordy for today s taste. good over all.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Very entertaining

The Virginian was a very entertaining and fun listen. I found myself smiling and laughing to myself many, many times. I highly recommend it.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Didn't tickle my fancy

No great complaints. Reader was okay and not irritating. Characters were not endearing to me. Tame book in the story line.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Dull

The narrator was dry, making this story not worth listening to. Went to Chapter 22 , ended it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Exceptional writing and performance

The language and plot were so skillfully written and performed that I wanted to listen nonstop

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1 person found this helpful

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Absolute classic!

I heard that this was the (believed) origin of the western as a genre. After you read it you will know why! So great!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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I could have read it better

I have read this book many times (hard copy) so was excited to listen to it, that excitement sadly didn’t last. The narration is unsettlingly poor. Though I love this book I could not finish it.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So worth it!

Fabulous narration and really interesting story! Lovely descriptions and love story, too! Choose this one.

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