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Title: The Curfew Tolls the Knell of Parting Day

Subtitle: Poems by Mr. Gray, including 'Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard'

Author: Thomas Gray

Narrator: Robert Bethune

Format: Unabridged

Length: 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-26-11

Publisher: Freshwater Seas

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Thomas Gray is world famous as the author of "Gray's Elegy", more properly known as "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard". He did not write very much, but he did write more than just his most famous poem. This collection is a recording of the 1768 Dodsley edition, the primary publication of his poetry that he published during his lifetime. It consists of only 10 poems, written mostly during the 1740s. Although he continued to write after 1768, it does seem as though he regarded this collection as the definitive body of the work he most valued.

These poems are remarkably varied. From the solemn philosophy of the "Elegy", he moves to dramatic portrayals of history and even some rather humorous verse, though always with a moral tone. I invite the reader to enjoy this small collection of Gray, in which one can get a sense of the man behind the verse, the man who wrote the immortal lines of the "Elegy".

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Title: The Forsyte Saga, Volume 2

Author: John Galsworthy

Narrator: Martin Jarvis

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-14-11

Publisher: CSA Word

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This volume details the struggle between Soames and his beautiful wife, Irene, who leaves him but cannot persuade him to grant a divorce. While Soames cannot accept Irene's dissent, he insists his sister deal as she must with her own failed marriage. Irene gains independence through her friendship with Soames' Uncle, Old Jolyon, who leaves her a fortune in his will, and she flees the country, but Soames follows her.

Members Reviews:

More Forsytes

This book is less about the different branches of the Forsyte family than the first book. Written in the 1920s, it is a family drama concentrates on the character of Soames, his spoiled daughter Fleur, and her relationship with Jon, the son of Soames' former wife Irene. The other main character is Michael, Fleur's husband, an easygoing character very unlike Soames or Fleur, who as an MP in the public world provides some relief from the Forsytes themselves. Soames seems to become more human than in the first book, where he maintained his unbending belief that Irene was still his wife, long after she had left him. The drama is as much about Fleur who is equally obsessive about rekindling her romance with Jon after her own marriage, and follows through to the inevitable end of the relationship. Galsworthy is a talented writer, and with skilful use of sub-plots, such as the story of the artists' model Victorine, he evokes some the tensions and social injustices of the time, although he never dwells for too long on these; he lived in a privileged world himself and one gets the feeling that, while he is aware of injustice he doesn't want to question too much. I particularly liked Victorine - a shy but capable woman who becomes aware of her own ability to charm others,earn money in an unequal world, despite her rather limited husband. His descriptions of a rural English countryside, long gone, are also interesting. A good read for those who like this period of history.

Dated but still a good read

Galsworthy continues the saga in which Soames' dedication to his daughter, Fleur, creates both a comfortable existence for her, and one that creates challenges. The novel follows her marriage and love affair, but also continues to develop Galsworthy's ideas through the character of Soames - 'The Man of Property' of the earlier work. This novel completes the saga in many ways, but it is worthwhile also reading Maid in Waiting, a later work which features Fleur and Michael Mont only peripherally. The glimpses of Fleur give her credit for the positives in her character which in the earlier works are overridden by her faults. Both she and Soames are complex characters and worth coming to know. The dated nature of the novels work as much for them as against because of the social history they provide.

insightful, fascinating classic about English society in 19th Century

Have read this when i was a youngster, many many years ago, but am very glad to have read it again, so relevant right now with everything that's currently happening in our capitalistic western world.

Galsworthy has such a wonderful, elegant, adroit way of describing his characters, their thought process, their feelings, their scheming.

One of my all time favorite writers and despite what some people told me when I said I wanted to read it again, not boring or dull at all.

A really wonderful Saga.

Outstanding

I love this novel.

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Title: The Man Who Was Thursday

Subtitle: A Nightmare

Author: G. K. Chesterton

Narrator: Ron Keith

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-01-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 18 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Writing in England at the turn of the 20th century, G.K. Chesterton was dubbed the "prince of paradox" for addressing serious questions with his light, whimsical style. In this classic allegory, which has captivated generations since it was first published in 1908, Chesterton tackles such profound concepts as honor, truth, and God with insightful humor and colorful enigma. The seven members of the secret Central Anarchist Council are sworn to destroy the world. For security reasons, each member has named himself after a day of the week. But Thursday is not at all whom he appears to be. Instead of a revolutionary young poet, he has been unmasked as a Scotland Yard detective. Now the other six anarchists are in a state of chaos and cant trust anyone.

Members Reviews:

simply brilliant

I have read and listened to this book over 6 times and yet I still find that I want to hear it once more, and maybe yet again.

A funny and plot twisting read.

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Title: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Author: Mark Twain

Narrator: Matt Armstrong

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-25-11

Publisher: Open Book Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 283 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Mark Twain's engaging novel about Tom Sawyer, a young, mischievous boy with a nose for trouble and a heart of gold. One of the most enduring American novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a jaunty, free-wheeling story that exemplifies the life of a young boy on the frontier in the mid 1800s.

Members Reviews:

Entertaining Classic

I decided to give one of the great American classics a try and I wasn't disappointed however I did expect more depth and substance. Overall it is an enjoyable boyhood story with a slow beginning, but the 2nd half picks up the pace and is worth the wait. The narrator does a solid job and I have no complaints about his performance. I would recommend this book to others, and I intend to follow up with Huck Finns book too.

Tom Sawyer

Would you consider the audio edition of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to be better than the print version?

Equal. It was fun to hear the book read well with various characters sounding different

What did you like best about this story?

It represented what life was like for an energetic, imaginative kid at that time

What does Matt Armstrong bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Accents and different voices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really. I enjoyed the whole thing.

Great Story - Narrator way too slow!

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

I had to speed up the rate at which this book was read, the narrator was painfully slow

What didnt you like about Matt Armstrongs performance?

Very slow and uncharacteristic of the story's youthful content

An old favorite !

The old great story ... good to hear again .... We have probably all read this when we were younger and it is really nice to listen to it performed and relive it all again

Good performance for a Classic Book

Would you listen to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer again? Why?

Yes. I like listening and re-listening to classic books to pick up on nuances missed before.

What did you like best about this story?

It's a classic.

Which character as performed by Matt Armstrong was your favorite?

Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Some scenes make you laugh.

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Title: Father and Son

Author: Edmund Gosse

Narrator: Peter Joyce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-18-11

Publisher: Assembled Stories

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

"This story is the record of a struggle between two temperaments, two consciences and almost two epochs. It ended, as was inevitable, in disruption. Of the two human beings here described, one was born to fly backward, the other could not help being carried forward. The affection of these two persons was assailed by forces in comparison with which the changes that health or fortune or place introduce are as nothing. It is not usual, perhaps, that the narrative of a spirited struggle should mingle merriment and humour with a discussion of the most solemn subjects. But.... there was an extraordinary mixture of comedy and tragedy in the situation and those who are affected by the pathos of it will not need to have it explained to them that the comedy was superficial and the tragedy essential" Edmund Gosse.

Critic Reviews:

About Assembled Stories: Over the years the national press have reviewed Assembled Stories titles as "excellent", "remarkable", "entrancing", "superb", "magic for sure", "masterly", "wonderful", "a class act" and "a splendid example of audio at its best".

Members Reviews:

Fascinating intersection of biology, history and literature

This book deserves to be better known: A sympathetic portrayal of religious fanaticism from a family perspective, played out on the grandest stage of intellectual history. An important text for anyone interested in the reception of Darwinism. The reading is wonderfully engaging.

the narrator is horrible

this book was recomanded to me by a friend who read the book. 3 times i have tried listening to the audio but the narrator makes it very hard to enjoy. I got till the middle and just couldnt go on. I think it's a good book, I will try to read and not listen

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Title: The Beloved Vagabond

Author: W.J. Locke

Narrator: Peter Joyce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-18-11

Publisher: Assembled Stories

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

"To Paragot I owe everything. He is at once my benefactor, my venerated master, my beloved friend, my creator." Thus begins the story of one of the greatest characters of English Literature - Paragot the lovable Bohemian and celebrated Bon Vivant. A young urchin from the London slums is adopted by the hero and given an adventurous education traveling through Europe, tambourine player in a group of ragamuffin musicians. Paragot, however, has a dark romantic secret in his past which threatens to change their lives. Can the boy's idol remain honourable and yet stay true to his values? The author of this exuberant tale was described as the `apostle of cheerfulness' and The Beloved Vagabond is a truly uplifting and heartening story with much intelligent humour, whimsy and a liberal dose of wisdom! It will enthrall and delight all free spirits. An absolute gem.

Critic Reviews:

"Peter Joyce is the most remarkable one-man band in audiobook publishing. Joyce, an experienced actor, reads them all himself." (The Independent)

Members Reviews:

A real Gem of a Book

4.5 Stars

What happens when a gentleman of learning, passion, and artistic temperament gets his heart broken? Why, he smashes every remnant of his past life into little tiny fragments, sweeps them under the rug of oblivion and reimerges with a new identity. His name will vary with whim and circumstance, his home may be a slum in London or a hedge in Britany, but one thing, the man inside, the "real " man, the Genius and man of heart, Paragot, will remain unchanged... as the beloved vagabond.

Not everyone will enjoy this. You have to love words, (I have 51 new words in my kindle 'vocabulary builder' because of this book), you must love the music and rhythm of flowery, witty speech (see status updates for examples) and you must be ok with a story that doesn't gallop along at a breakneck pace. If this sounds like your style, I think you'll find Beloved Vagabond a very satisfying read that celebrates true contentment found in the obvious yet elusive real life.

In The Beloved Vagabond one learns (almost too late) that dreams, even admirable dreams, lifelong dreams, lovelorn dreams, are occasionally best kept under the pillow where dreams belong.

CONTENT: G-PG (for "crapulous" i.e, drunken, scenes :)

*I recommend reading this for free via Amazon on an ereader or tablet with built in dictionary/ translation features for fullest enjoyment.

Interesting Story

The Beloved Vagabond is one of my 26-year-old son's favorite books. He recommended that I read it. I downloaded it (for free) on my Kindle, which was great, because there were a lot of words with which I was unfamiliar, and I was able to just touch the word for an instant definition. Very interesting and different storyline. I liked it!

The Beloved Vagabond

The Beloved Vagabond is a wonderful read. The story takes the reader on an exciting journey through Europe and beyond. Books these days do not have the "poetry of words" that this author uses throughout the whole book. The characters are likable and believeable. The modern reader gets a glimpse into the history of days gone by. Excellent book.

Five Stars

Fast shipping, item as described. Thanks.

Charming

Not as heroic as Ivanhoe. Not as swashbuckling as the Three Musketeers. Not as idealistic as the Scarlet Pimpernel. But carries on the threads of all of them.

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Title: Sons and Lovers

Author: D.H. Lawrence

Narrator: Jenny Sterlin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-13-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 29 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Sons and Lovers is widely considered by critics and readers alike as D.H. Lawrences masterpiece and a classic interpretation of the Oedipal complex. Surely one of the greatest autobiographical novels ever written, it tells the story of Paul Morel, a sensitive artist with a far stronger attachment to his mother than his working-class, alcoholic father. Searching for love and human connection, Paul is torn between two very different women, but neither of them measures up to his mother.

Editorial Reviews:

Lawrence's 1913 classic, widely censored in its time but pretty tame today, portrays in astonishing depth the relationship between Paul Morel and his overly doting mother, herself trapped in a loveless marriage. Though Paul falls in love with women his own age, it is his mother whom he really loves, emotionally and psychologically, if not physically, and who poisons these other relationships until her death. Narrator Jenny Sterlin is special, consistently on target with character differentiation according to education and status, poignant, dramatic, eager, and able to tell this fine story in a fine manner. Listeners who have yet to hear this story should rush to get it.

Members Reviews:

Masterpiece

What made the experience of listening to Sons and Lovers the most enjoyable?

This is an extraordinary novel. I have never read anything quite like it, especially in terms of how it delineates mother-son relationships in terms of the most advanced psychology, all played out through the scenes and characters rather than through explanations. This makes it very in touch with how feelings create reality, and also an endless source of psychological truth which is as current today as ever. It's also impeccable in its language, both simple and lush, and seems to have been painstakingly crafted to give it that simplicity and weight.

What about Jenny Sterlins performance did you like?

Jenny Sterlin's performance is very strong and earthy, and I think this lends a lot to the feeling and texture of the book. One thing that's great about her performance is that one feels the presence of the mother at all times in her, which is what the book is about - the son's enmeshment by the mother. I chose a female narrator for that reason, and I was not disappointed. There are times when her performance almost seems grim, and sometimes I was aware of happy moments in the book that were read with that same veneer of grimness over the upbeat tone, but in the end I think that is also correct for this novel. She also does regional accents and men's voices extremely well. The deliberate slowness with which she reads also highlights Lawrence's deliberate and careful sentence construction. Highly recommended.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are many astonishing moments in the book, particularly towards the last half. I found my jaw dropping open repeatedly as the relationships that were set up in the first half start to have their consequences later. Particularly haunting for me were the scenes between Paul and Miriam, in which his inability to love her is played out in all sorts of ways, all painful. But I don't want to give too much away!

AP Required Reading? Really?

No wonder teens hate to read if books like this are on their summer AP reading lists.

Slow and repetitive

If you like thomas hardy this book might be for you.

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Title: Love and Mr Lewisham

Author: H. G. Wells

Narrator: Peter Joyce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-14-11

Publisher: Assembled Stories

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Love and Mr Lewisham is a hugely uplifting tale from the pen of one of our greatest writers. Wells drew on his own experience as a young teacher to provide the background and, one suspects, the emotional drama. The plot enables him to satirise the educational establishment and deliver many wry observations on Victorian morality and the obsession with the supernatural.

One day Mr Lewisham sits at his makeshift desk at his lodgings. He is an assistant master at Whortley proprietary school. He is 18 years old and he has a plan. In six years he will be fluent in five languages, have a good all-round education, honours from university and the means to support himself.

He will become one of the leading thinkers in the new Socialist movement and eventually his name and his work will be respected by all. He will achieve greatness. This will be accomplished by diligent study. He will rise each morning at five, and his day will be divided into work periods to enable him to develop his mind accumulating knowledge in the required subjects.

His progress will be controlled by the plan - the 'Schema'. Nothing will get in his way. The next day Mr Lewisham falls in love....

Critic Reviews:

"Peter Joyce is the most remarkable one-man band in audiobook publishing. Joyce, an experienced actor, reads them all himself." (The Independent)

Members Reviews:

Wells and a Dark Horse of a Story.

Published in 1900, HG Wells `Love and Mr. Lewisham' recants the story of a man falling in love, out of love and all of it's associated woes. I find this a very fitting piece of work to represent both the ever occurring, very likely universal human experience. I am, appropriately, somewhat serendipitously, finishing this at a very difficult time in what was once an incredibly fulfilling relationship. Thereby I can relate to the work completely on an emotional level. Major / minor motifs include: socialism, deception as a societal norm / impression, the emotional struggles of marriage, the line between right and wrong, and linked to that - a general sense of epistemology, specifically what is true. Five stars, my favorite this year, a complete dark horse.

Possible SPOILERS:

Lewisham, a young man with a set `schema' - educational goals, accomplishments and desired achievements - is sure he has his plans all worked out, this is until he is disrupted by a young woman. Courting her briefly she soon steps out of his life and he again resumes his schema (with Socialism being a major motif).

Two and a half years later he encounters Ethel (the aforementioned young woman) at a séance. She is part-taking in the ruse under her step-father's tutelage and this disgusts Lewisham (he's a huge proponent of `right' and `wrong', with deception for monetary gain being clearly `wrong').

As the relationship progresses Lewisham marries Ethel to take her away from the life of debauchery and dishonesty she's trying to be cast into. Gradually, after the lofty feelings of the honey-moon phase have subsided and it's `down to business', the world regains its hefty weight and Lewisham finds his feelings ebbing toward Ethel. Accusations are made, bitter words are exchanged, things that shouldn't be said in fact, are. Hurt enters the picture.

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Title: Writers of Passage

Subtitle: Young Americans Find an International Voice

Author: Bill Goodwin, Mark Woods

Narrator: Bill Goodwin, Mark Woods

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-03-11

Publisher: streamZcastcom LLC

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Read with your ears and listen with your heart. Travel through history with a streamZcast.com compendium of history and its myriad voices....

streamZcast is a smart media publisher (no dead trees) creating alternative creative learning tools for a new media age. The studio team adds sfx (sound effects to you and I), music, song, and innovations to add drama, emphasis and, yes, fun - new alternative learning tools for adults, students and children alike.

This streamZcast compendium discusses five remarkable American writers - "Writers of Passage", writing of ordinary folks in a new frontier. Europeans and others inherit their cultures; young Americans had to build theirs almost literally from scratch.

All that means that the streamZcast compendium begins with John Filson. Though born in Pennsylvania, he wrote of the iconic Daniel Boone in the new territory of Kentucky (spelt Kentucke at that time). Then, rapidly on his heels, came the great romantic, James Fenimore Cooper - and American literary style was beginning. The world was to learn about their young but complicated nation. Then a long glimpse into the harrowing horrors of slavery through the eyes, experiences, words and oratory of Frederick Douglass, a man who bought his own freedom. Next, piloting up and down the mighty Mississippi, the mighty Mark Twain with his imaginary childhood friends, Huck, Tom, and Puddin' Head: America gains a significant sense of humour, the world smiles. Rounding out this Part 1 is Upton Sinclair. His work changed America in ways that affect his countrymen to this day.

Each of the streamZcast compendiums has in-studio conversations describing how the stories of history were researched and recorded; comprehensive bibliographies; and a list of companion eBookZ available from the streamZcast.com. Read with your ears, listen with your heart, listen to the future of history, with streamZcast. Sapere Aude (Latin for "Dare to Know").

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Title: Jane Eyre

Subtitle: An Accurate Retelling of Charlotte Bronte's Timeless Classic.

Author: Charlotte Bronte, Gill Tavner

Narrator: Gill Tavner

Format: Abridged

Length: 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-13-11

Publisher: Real Reads

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

One of a series of retellings of classic world literature from publisher Real Reads. True to the original plot, characters and theme, Real Reads also reflect the original author's style. A brilliant introduction to Bronte's compelling story. Jane Eyre is poor, parentless and plain. her future looks bleak. Jane's aunt and cousin detest her. Life at Lowood School is cruel and dangerous. What inner strength can young Jane find?

Seeking adventure and independence, Jane sets out alone. Is her new master, Mr Rochester, all that he seems? What secret does he keep locked in the third storey, where strange laughter haunts the nights? In her search for affection, Jane faces horror, cruelty, poverty and temptation. Is she strong enough to do what is right? Will she ever mean anything more to anybody than poor, plain Jane Eyre?