Discover the New Releases Audiobooks in Classics, European Literature

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Title: Candide

Author: Francois Voltaire

Narrator: Tom Whitworth

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-25-06

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 50 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Translated by T. Smollett.

Editorial Reviews:

Tom Whitworth delivers an exceptional performance of the satirical 1759 novel Candide by the French writer Francois Voltaire. In its day, the book - which is slyly critical of the institutions and the beliefs of the day - was banned for religious and political reasons. Whitworths steady voice allows the translation by T. Smollett to shine. The title character is a young man under the tutelage of Dr. Pangloss. As the audiobook progresses, he becomes increasingly more disillusioned with the world and the suffering of his fellow man.

Members Reviews:

Classic Confusion

If you enjoy the classics, this might be for you. If you wish to avoid a ghorish, pessimistic-filled world of literary turmoil...avoid it. The audio quality is fine, but the narrator can get a little boring (or was it Candide?). You'll definitely love it or hate it...I'm the latter.

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Title: Vanity Fair

Author: W.M. Thackeray

Narrator: Jane Lapotaire

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-04-03

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Vanity Fair, with its rich cast of characters, takes place on the snakes-and-ladders board of life. Amelia Sedley, daughter of a wealthy merchant, has a loving mother to supervise her courtship. Becky Sharp, an orphan, has to use her wit, charm, and resourcefulness to escape from her destiny as a governess. This she does ruthlessly, musing: "I think I could become a good woman, if I had 5000 pounds a year." Thackeray's story is set at the time of the battle of Waterloo, in which the Sedley fortune is lost - and Amelia is back to square one - while Becky rises with contemptuous ease.

Editorial Reviews:

Vanity Fair is a sprawling, tongue-in-cheek comment on the questionable mores of British society and remains one of the defining satirical works of the 19th Century.

An exquisite farce and lengthy dig at the stodgy, The Pilgrims Progress, the story primarily follows the travails of Amelia Sedley and Rebecca Sharp, as they leave their button-up girls academy and enter the strangely revered town of Vanity and its endless fair, where desires of the heart reign.

Jane Lapotaire narrates this rich, character driven-narrative with grace and restraint, sounding a bit like the grand Dame Judi Dench in the process.

Members Reviews:

I know the problem

I was listening to the abridged version with out realizing it until the end. Never again will I make that mistake. Loved this Narrator.

Wonderful experience

The reader has an excellent accent and tone, which made for a very enjoyable listen.

Fantastic

I finally understand all the references to Becky Sharp!

Excellent reading, excellent story. Leaves one with many things to think about, like all good literature.

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Title: Paradise from the Divine Comedy

Author: Dante Alighieri

Narrator: Heathcote Williams

Format: Abridged

Length: 4 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 10-26-00

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 39 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Led by his guide Beatrice, Dante leaves the Earth behind and soars through the heavenly spheres of Paradise. In this third and final part of The Divine Comedy, Dante encounters the just rulers and holy saints of the Church. The horrors of the Inferno and the trails of Purgatory are left far behind. Ultimately, in Paradise, Dante is granted a vision of God's Heavenly court - the angels, the Blessed Virgin, and God Himself.

(P)1999 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.; ©1999 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.

Editorial Reviews:

Heathcote Williams enters into this new translation of Dante's masterpiece with almost as much enthusiasm as did Dante himself. Whether the souls Dante meets in the Inferno are tortured by cold, fire, their own fingernails, or just longing, Williams manages to make their pain come to life. His narration is so dramatic and so individualized that it feels more like a full-cast production than a solo narration, especially with the accompanying music, which both sets the mood and provides transitions. A short biography of Dante read by John Shrapnel accompanies the production. Shrapnel's voice is full of sympathy over Dante's exile, but his primary quality as a narrator is intense clarity; he handles complex political explanations smoothly and seems at ease with the Italian.

Members Reviews:

Hands down the best reading of Dante on audiobook.

No long winded review,Heathcote Williams and this free verse translation make an increadible experience of this the greatest spiritual poem ever written. Go with this devine comedy....you wont be sorry...

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Title: Crime and Punishment

Author: Feodor Dostoyevsky

Narrator: Michael Sheen

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-26-00

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 32 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

A century after it first appeared, Crime and Punishment remains one of the most gripping psychological thrillers. A poverty stricken young man, seeing his family making sacrifices for him, is faced with an opportunity to solve his financial problems with one simple but horrifying act: the murder of a pawnbroker. She is, he feels, just a parasite on society. But does the end justify the means?

(P)1994 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.; ©1994 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.

Members Reviews:

All Time Classic

I decided to get this book after listening to Phillip Yancy's, "The Jesus I Never Knew." Mr. Yancy refers to Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy in the contrast of God's law (Tolstoy) and His grace (Dostoyevsky). I read "Crime & Punishment" more than 30 years ago and remembered that it had a profound affect on me as a young man seeking meaning in life. The book is, of course, a classic--just as I recalled. The audio book is exceptionally well read. I really liked the slow and calculated delivery. I read along with many pages. Accordingly, I appreciated the reader's excellent command of the Russian names. I highly recommend this all time classic.

If you haven't read it, helps to read a summary!

I had not read this 'classic' but thought at least listening to this abridged version would offer a decent overview--which it did. The challenge, though, is there are many characters FREQUENTLY coming in/out of the plot with long, Russian names thus following the story can be difficult. Several times I had to read the Wikipedia entry which has a summary and character snapshots to follow along.

Overall, a fine presentation.

Forget Crime, Listening is Punishment Enough.

This book took me forever to get through. Because I'm a committed person and like to finish what I start, I endured until the very end of this book. This was the slowest, most boring, depressing book I've ever listened to. Someone could tell this story in about 2 pages but it drags on and on until you can't take it anymore. The Russian names are so confusing that you don't know who the characters are even by the very end. The narrator was very monotone and made it even more boring. Put needles in your eyes, it will be less punishing.

I hate abridgements but listen to this

I don't normally buy abridged books but heard part of this elsewhere and wanted to listen to the whole of Michael Sheen's performance. It's a tour de force. I've never heard better or more varied characterisation. He also brings off the generally fevered atmosphere of Dostoevsky brilliantly. Somebody sign him up to do a complete book or twelve.

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Title: Candide

Author: Voltaire

Narrator: Donal Donnelly

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 93 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

From the satirical pen of one of France's greatest cynics comes the story of Candide - young, innocent, guileless - who is cast upon the world after Baron Thunder-ten-trockh learns that his lusty daughter, Cunegonde, has tried to seduce the young man. The novel chronicles Candide's adventures with his blindly optimistic tutor, Dr. Pangloss, through any number of disastrous experiences, as they search for the answers to life's perennial questions. A champion of the Enlightenment, Voltaire (1694-1778) was quick to attack tyranny, fanaticism, intolerance, superstition, and prejudice wherever they occurred. His merciless satire, unorthodox views, and enmity to organized religion were a source of irritation to the political and religious authorities of his day.

Editorial Reviews:

Voltaires pioneering work of dark humor is at turns mordant and fantastic, dystopian yet comedic. Candide has staked its spot at the intersection of philosophy and folklore. Raised on the altruism that "all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds", the antihero Candide endures war, natural disaster, and forced servitude along his heedless journey. Actor Donal Donnellys silky baritone provides a fitting suitor for this fast-paced, satirical allegory. As Donnelly built a reputable film career with roles in The Godfather trilogy and The Dead, he quietly put together an impressive résumé in the emergent field of audiobook performance. Recorded in 1981, Donnellys Candide stands the test of time: The Irishmans wry but eloquent delivery befits the baroque fatalism of Voltaires misadventure.

Members Reviews:

Voltaire's Classic

This classic by Voltaire is wonderful satire. Candide, the young illegitimate nephew of a German baron, is taught by his teacher/philosopher Pangloss that this world is ?the best of all possible worlds.? Candide falls in love with Cunegonde, the baron?s young daughter. When their love is discovered, Candide is expelled from his home, and the fun starts. The entire novel is then consumed with tongue-in-cheek melodrama of Candide?s worldwide attempt to find and marry Cunegonde, who is, of course, constantly on the move.

Early on in the story we realize that the important aspects of Voltaire?s novel are not the plot?s details but the higher themes: the ?real-world? tragedy which disproves Pangloss? initial optimistic teachings, the hypocrisy of the day?s religious theologians, and the inability of money to solve problems. Voltaire?s wit shines in his masterpiece, and while this book is not for young children, it does have broad appeal, especially due to its short length.

Reader Donal Donnelly does a good job of characterizing the voices, especially the sleazy and decrepit characters. Donnelly?s British accent proves to be very entertaining and a joy to listen to.

an absolute hoot

If you've not read this already, run (don't walk) to get yourself a copy. Voltaire wrote it 250 years ago and it doesn't appear to have aged much since (I was laughing out loud on the subway). Although it may offend the sensibilities of some (lots of body language; lots of anti-clericalism; lots of blood and guts and rape and pillaging; satirical and hilarious. No wonder they didn't have us read him in my suburban High School.

Fresh and funny

The reader is very good. The story is wonderful. One of my favorite audible books.

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Title: Manon Lescaut

Author: Antoine-Francois Prevost d'Exiles

Narrator: Walter Covell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Author Antoine-Françoise Prévost d'Exiles, a Jesuit novice turned soldier turned priest, led nearly as exciting a life as his swashbuckling heroes.

Members Reviews:

Classics are great and worth a listen

I enjoyed this story very much, the music from the opera is fantastic. I found this story very engaging and worth the time. It is not a long book and should be a quick listen. I licked the classic nature of the tragedy of the story. It reminded me of other Puccini operas and of some classic Shakespeare's plot lines.

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Titre: Le contrat social

Auteur: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Narrateur: Denis Podalydès

Format: Unabridged

Durée: 4 hrs and 51 mins

Langue: Français

Date de publication: 03-04-08

Éditeur: Frémeaux & Associés

Evaluation: 5 sur 5 sur 1 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Résumé de l'éditeur:

Le Contrat social de Rousseau, publié en avril 1762, étonne par l'évidence des principes politiques qui le constituent. Il invente l'idée de la démocratie absolue en prenant le peuple moins comme objet que comme sujet de son discours. Son traité politique ne concerne plus seulement les gouvernants, les princes ou les conseils, mais les gouvernés.

Ce déplacement du haut vers le bas de la hiérarchie civile fait du Contrat social le lieu théorique de rassemblement de l'humanité citoyenne. "Trouver une forme d'association qui défende et protège de toute la force commune la personne et les biens de chaque associé, et par laquelle chacun, s'unissant à tous, n'obéisse pourtant qu'à lui-même, et reste aussi libre qu'auparavant".

Le Contrat social apporte la solution au problème du gouvernement de l'homme, celle de l'auto-gouvernement - obéissance à sa seule personne, aux lois qu'il se prescrit. Sa liberté naturelle se change en liberté morale.

Denis Podalydès, fervent lecteur du Contrat social, nous fait partager l'émotion liée à l'intelligence de ce texte précurseur, et grâce à son talent de comédien, nous aide à découvrir et comprendre un texte fondateur de notre société moderne.

Alexandre Wong & Claude Colombini-Frémeaux

Le narrateur

Comédien reconnu, formé par Michel Bouquet au Conservatoire, Sociétaire de la Comédie Française,

est aussi écrivain et fervent amateur de lecture à voix haute. Le succès de son dernier livre

(Mercure de France), et chaque nouvel enregistrement sont une nouvelle preuve de son talent.

© Frémeaux et Associés 2007

(p) et © Frémeaux et Associés - Groupe Frémeaux Colombini SAS

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Título: Historia de la Vida del Buscon (Texto Completo) [Life History of the Petty Thief ]

Autor: Francisco Gomez de Quevedo Y Villegas

Narrador: Héctor Navarro

Formato: Unabridged

Duración: 4 hrs and 29 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 05-23-08

Editor: Audio Libro CD

Calificaciones: 4.5 de 5 de 8 votos

Categorías: Classics, European Literature

Resumen del editor:

La obra de Francisco Quevedo abarca la mayoría de los géneros prosísticos del siglo XVIII y refleja su visión pesimista de la sociedad española de los Austrias menores. El Buscón, extraordinaria novela picaresca, combina la crítica social con la intención de crear una obra de arte del lenguaje. Quevedo ha sido unos de los grandes genios de la literatura en habla castellana, su capacidad para valerse del lenguaje es difícilmente superable. Pero lo que es verdaderamente interesante en Quevedo es su lenguaje casi moderno, utilizando vocablos que no han quedado obsoletos. Su lectura, por tanto, se hace fácil, y su estilo sorprendente por lo actual.

Please Note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

Opiniones de los miembros:

Excelente

La verdad sea dicha que me encanto oir este libro. El libro es muy comico y entretenido, aparte es un libro muy imporatante en la literatura espa?ola. Tambien me gusto el narador ya que leia con gusta y entusiasmo.Es simplemente excelente, no se arrepentira.

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Title: Around the World in Eighty Days

Author: Jules Verne

Narrator: Jonathan Kis-Lev

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-08-11

Publisher: SonicBooks Ltd.

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Around the World in Eighty Days is a classic adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, first published in 1873. In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his newly employed French valet, Passepartout, attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days on a 20,000 wager set by his friends at the Reform Club. Jules Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before navigable aircraft and practical submarines were invented, and before any means of space travel had been devised. Consequently, he is often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction". Jules Verne is the second most translated author of all time, with 4,223 translations. Some of his works have been made into films.

Please note: This audiobook is in Hebrew.

Members Reviews:

Around the World in 80 Days

Everyone knows the basic story, but reading the book was quite painful and not enjoyable for a middle schooler who chose it from the summer reading list. It's written in a stuffy, 19th century style, which is great if one enjoys such writing. As an adult, I love the stuff, but it really was hard to wade through the formal prose and starchy descriptions. I don't recommend modernizing it, although that would introduce it to a generation that will otherwise not make an effort.

Accompanies the Video Trip

Having seen this television series of Michael Palin's trip, this is a nice way to refresh the memory. I understand that the book follows the video series very closely. I intend to read it at some time. I got it for my late husband and he did enjoy reading it. Mr. Palin's observations of the world were very interesting.

David Niven was a perfect choice.

Wonderful book. It evoked my memories of the original movie I watched in younger days. It is also quite a lesson in changing perceptions AND realities. It was, after all, written 143 years ago, and the world has changed a bit. Now you can circumnavigate the globe without even an engine (solar airplane), but between Homeland Security, customs officials everywhere, infrastructure maintenance failures and other modern inconveniences, Mr. Fogg's record might beat yours if you attempted the same route. I wonder if TripAdvisor could set me up . . .

Good translation and nice themes

One of the more simple works of Verne in my opinion. Good translation and nice themes. The characters themselves didn't attract me a great deal. Fine quality book and a fairly easy read.

I Always Love This One

I give it five stars. It's always a favorite. I read it with my eleven year old in our homeschool. She said, "It's not my favorite book, but it's okay." I, on the other hand, love the beauty behind the message of Mr. Fogg's journey. It would seem as though there really are some things in life that mean more than glory and riches. ;)

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Título: Los ojos verdes [Green Eyes]

Autor: Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

Narrador: Óscar Martín

Formato: Unabridged

Duración: 18 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 11-13-12

Editor: Grupo Artístico 8

Calificaciones: 5 de 5 de 4 votos

Categorías: Classics, European Literature

Resumen del editor:

El relato "Los ojos verdes" es una de las obras más obsesivas de Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer. En él se juega con la fascinación, con el misterio y con la búsqueda de lo imposible. Las palabras del autor nos llevan por una senda donde el valor se tuerce, donde la voluntad se quiebra y donde cada pequeño detalle es una pieza silenciosa que nos adentra en una danza de inciertas posibilidades. Este relato tiene una cuidada locución que está acompañada de una banda sonora realizada expresamente para esta historia, de esta forma los oyentes podrán adentrarse en una aventura donde el escenario sonoro fluye alrededor del baile de la palabra.

Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

Opiniones de los miembros:

muy buena la interpretación, me ha emocionado!!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Los ojos verdes [Green Eyes] to be better than the print version?

Si, I prefer this version, It's great

What other book might you compare Los ojos verdes [Green Eyes] to and why?

El monte de las ánimas

Have you listened to any of Óscar Martíns other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

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

No

Any additional comments?

I don't have any other comment, I would buy other books of Óscar Martín