Download Best Sellers Audiobooks in Classics, American Literature

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Title: The Age of Innocence

Author: Edith Wharton

Narrator: Barbara Caruso

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-08-13

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Newland Archer is a young lawyer, a member of New Yorks high society, and engaged to be married to May Welland. Countess Ellen Olenska is Mays cousin, and wants a divorce from the Polish nobleman she married. Intelligent and beautiful, she comes back to New York where she tries to fit into the high society life she had before her marriage. Her family and former friends, however, are shocked by the idea of divorce within their social circle, and she finds herself snubbed by her own class. Ellen and Newland fall in love and must choose between passion and conventions.

Members Reviews:

A Great comic/tragedy

While I prefer The House of Mirth, this is a great book with wonderful set pieces and a shrewd eye for satirizing New York society in the late 1800's. The central love story between Archer and Madame Olenska feels at times more like a concept to contrast the values of "Europe" and "old New York" than a passionate relationship, but Wharton's eye for convincing detail never falters. Barbara Caruso's voice has great depth and compassion. Her reading emphasizes some of the more comedic elements of the story, and at times I felt she was commenting on the material. But that's a matter of taste. I heard her read other books, and she's masterful.

Appreciated Barbara Caruso's talented narration!

This book made me thankful for the freedom American women live in today. It impresses the attractiveness of being individual and thinking for oneself.

I loved the last chapter for it's telling of how the future played out.

A picture of stuffy high class New York society through Edith Wharton eyes.

Wharton won the Pulitzer prize for representing a "wholesome" atmosphere of American Life, over Sinclair Lewis "Main Street" a controversy came from the decision.

Brilliant novel, brilliantly narrated.

I first read The Age of Innocence in my 20s, and although I recall liking the book at the time, it didnt worm itself into my brain. Perhaps because my 20-something self couldnt directly relate to a novel that is less a love story than a description of abandoned ideals, conformation to social norms, aging and bittersweet nostalgia. My experiences are now much different and my emotional investment in the story is far deeper. Barbara Carusos excellent acting (it seems wrong to call it narration) tells the story vividly, much as she did The Custom of the Country (Im on a Wharton binge). I snuck in many driveway moments while listening. All the available stars given.

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Title: Annabel Lee

Author: Edgar Allan Poe

Narrator: K. Anderson Yancy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-11-13

Publisher: SonicMovie.net, ChicagoWood Media, Wollcott & Sheridan

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

An uncommon love in a kingdom by the sea comes to a tragic and uncommon end.

Members Reviews:

Three Stars

Cute book very small didn't realize or read that it was that small for $12.

Not enough stars for this poem

This poem is a fascinating example of the poetic genius of Poe. While it is often thought of as a poem for younger readers, anyone who appreciates the subtle tragedy that is Poe will be deeply moved by this piece - in fact, only a muture reader can fully appreciate all of its' complexity. A must for any fan of Poe, good poetry, American literature, or just plain good writing. Furthermore, you don't have to be a scholar to appreciate this one. Its' appeal is universal, and its' understandability is high. It's just a darn good read.

Lovely!!!

There is nothing outstanding about this book, but more the poem within it. Poe was a poetic genius. This book is good in the sense that nothing distracts you from the poem. It allows the reader to be captivated by the poems beauty instead of a pretty cover.

Annabel Lee

everything went very well & the book brought tears to a friend of mine who lost hers many years ago...

Annabel lee

Some of the lines in the first and the last stanza were not included. I was suppose to be using this to study for my poem I was assigned an it did me absolute no use.

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Title: The Most Dangerous Game

Author: Richard Connell

Narrator: Alan Munro

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr

Language: English

Release date: 11-27-12

Publisher: Trout Lake Media

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 22 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Widely anthologized and the author's best-known work, The Most Dangerous Game features as its main character a big-game hunter from New York who falls off a yacht and swims to an isolated island in the Caribbean. There he is hunted by a Cossack aristocrat. The story is an inversion of the big-game hunting safaris in Africa and South America that were fashionable among wealthy Americans in the 1920s.

Members Reviews:

OMFG NARRATOR SUCKS!

omg NOT THIS IDIOT NARRATOR AGAIN! NOW I HAVE TO CHECK EVERYTHING I PURCHASE TO MAKE SURE TO AVOID THIS INEPT STUMBLING NARRATOR! I DON'T....HAVE THE PATIENCE....TO LISTEN.....TO THIS......HORRIBLE......UNNECESSARY. ...................PAUSING. WTF IS HIS PROBLEM?! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!

Love this Story!

If you could sum up The Most Dangerous Game in three words, what would they be?

Old School Awesome!

What other book might you compare The Most Dangerous Game to and why?

"The Most Dangerous Game" fits into the pantheon of great turn of the century adventure like "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," "Journey to the Center of the Earth," or "Alexander Quartermain." This classic short story feels like an ancestor of Indian Jones and the best of McSweeney's.

The aristocratic General Zaroff and bloodthirsty Ivan seem like archetypes for early James Bond villains and invoke the same fun. I was thrilled to see this short story was available on audible and it is a favorite when I'm in-between longer works.

Which scene was your favorite?

The shortest scene in the story comes at the very end and leaves all of the violence and terror of the final showdown up to the imagination of the reader/listener, but despite it's brevity, the final scene still manages to chill the blood.

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

Absolutely! I first read this story, as I imagine many do, in middle school and despite decades between that reading and my first listen, I was shocked how vividly the story had stayed with me and remained as entertaining as it had twenty years ago. Not every story loved as a child holds up, but this one does.

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Title: Classic Christmas Stories

Subtitle: A Collection of Timeless Holiday Tales

Author: L. M. Montgomery, O. Henry, Willa Cather, Hans Christian Andersen, Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Bret Harte, Anthony Trollope

Narrator: Cris Dukehart, Phil Gigante, Natalie Ross, Robin Sachs

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 11-20-12

Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 16 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Catch the holiday spirit with this magical collection of beloved Christmas tales. Christmas favorites from L. M. Montgomery, O. Henry, Willa Cather, Hans Christian Andersen, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Bret Harte, and Anthony Trollope are lovingly recorded and presented here in one enchanting volume.

Disc one includes:

Disc two includes:

Disc three contains:

Disc four contains:

Members Reviews:

Dark Christmas Tales

The performances on this selection were fine. However, I found the stories to be less than engaging and not very festive. These are not uplifting, spirited stories of the joys of Christmastime. If you're searching for that, I highly recommend "Favorite Stories of Christmas Past."

A bit of a mixed bag

I was in the mood for some Christmas short stories so I picked up this book.

I really liked some of them: "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" (Sherlock Holmes) are old favorites that I will never get tired of and anyone with a heart would love "Susie's letter from Santa" it is just beautiful.

I had never heard "The Fir Tree" by Hans Christian Andersen and I really, really liked it. Bittersweet in true HCA style and amazingly memorable.

I found the rest of the book (basically the second half) a bit dry, hum-drum and what is the point. "Christmas in Poganuc," "How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar" and "Christmas at Thompson Hall" all seemed to drone on and on with little point (not that Christmas stories need to have a point) but they were just a bit boring.

So, for $5 (member price) the first half is great. The second half... not really worth my time.

Three of these make it worthwhile!

There were three stories that made this audiobook worth the money. The writing, along with excellent narration, had me chuckling out loud as I listened in my car.

The Best:

The amazing Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has a sweet holiday caper, Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle that was light and entertaining. Just perfect for December.

Susie's Letter from Santa is a priceless piece by Mark Twain. My favorite line: "Tell him he'll die... Someday!" It's quick, hilarious, quirky, and quintessential Mark Twain.

The Christmas at Thompson Hall by Anthony Trollope is a must read for Regency/Victorian lovers. The mess the poor heroine gets herself into is classic comedy for the time period.

There are some old classics: The Gift of the Magi and The Fir Tree. Though I tend to avoid Hans Christian Anderson at Xmas time. This one is no happier than The Little Match Girl. Not my favorite. The Burglar's Christmas by Willa Cather was a new one for me and a nice read. The rest were okay or downright boring.

Regardless of taste, every reader will find a story or two that they enjoy in this selection. I did!

Enjoyable

Several of the stories are worth the time. I loved Christmas at Thompson hall the best.

Classic holiday fare

Would you listen to Classic Christmas Stories again? Why?

I will probably listen to these stories again next Christmas.

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Title: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

Author: Ambrose Bierce

Narrator: Brian D'eon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-25-12

Publisher: Trout Lake Media

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 28 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Famous for its irregular time sequence and twist ending, this is Bierce's most anthologized story.

Public Domain (P)2012 Trout Lake Media

Members Reviews:

Abridged version

What would have made An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge better?

If it was actually the unabridged version as advertised

Would you ever listen to anything by Ambrose Bierce again?

yes

What about Brian D'eons performance did you like?

performance was good

Any additional comments?

This is not the unabridged version. This version leaves out the part of how he got captured in the first place. Shame on Audible!

Not the entire story

What disappointed you about An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge?

I was very disappointed that the recording skipped an entire section of the short story.

a really cool story

Any additional comments?

an amazing story by a writer who died too soon well acted and cheap you have no reason not to try this classic

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Title: That Printer of Udells

Author: Harold Bell Wright

Narrator: Paul Michael Garcia

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-30-12

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 42 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

As a boy, Dick Falkner ran away from abject poverty and an abusive alcoholic father. Sixteen years later, he finds himself hungry of body and empty of spirit in a Midwestern town. Although he finds no help in this so-called Christian town, he is eventually taken in by George Udell, a local publisher and kindhearted man. Through hard work and Christian morals, this man, who becomes known as "that printer of Udells", rises above his past to a new, inspiring life with God.

Harold Bell Wright (18721944) was a best-selling author who is said to have been the first American writer to sell a million copies of a novel. More than 21 movies were made or claimed to have been made from his stories, including Gary Coopers first major movie The Winning of Barbara Worth and the John Wayne film The Shepherd of the Hills. Behind all of his works lies the simple desire to write about the goodness of mankind.

Critic Reviews:

"That book,That Printer of Udells, had an impact I shall always remember. [It] set me on a course Ive tried to follow even unto this day. I shall always be grateful." (Ronald Reagan)

"Decidedly interesting." (New York Times)

"A thoroughly good novel." (Boston Globe)

Members Reviews:

Benelovent

Loved this story and the message of benelovence it shares. the Performance was outstanding! I highly recommend it to both "the church goers" and the followers of Christ.

Most inspiring novel I've ever read.

This is one of my favorite novels, and one of the most impactful books of any kind that I have ever encountered. It is an incredible portrait of hypocrisy and genuine repentance, pain and forgiveness, sin and redemption -- a portrait of Christ's love at work in the hearts of His people. It isn't a children's story by any stretch: it can be very heavy at points. But supposedly, this is the book that both made Ronald Reagan want to become a Christian, and motivated him to become President of the United States. I hope you find it as inspiring as I have.

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Title: The Awakening

Author: Kate Chopin

Narrator: Alexandra OKarma

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-07-12

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 49 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This scandalous turn-of-the-century story follows 28-year-old Edna Pontellier, wife and mother, who one day awakens to the pangs of passion for the first time in her life. But societal restraints place limits on any kind of authentic expression of desire. Her final gesture is a defiant, desperate reach for freedom.

Members Reviews:

An oldie but a goodie.

I felt The Awakening was very interesting. It's strange to listen to a time when women were so oppressed and were seen as ornaments rather than equals.

Far Before Her Time!

What made the experience of listening to The Awakening the most enjoyable?

The vivid imagery and symbolism that Chopin uses and the veiled infidelity and passion were mesmerizing.

What did you like best about this story?

Her desire to live HER life not the social norm.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - I listened to it about 6 times already and constantly find something I missed in Chopin's style.

Any additional comments?

This book was written in approximately 1899 and was banned. The main character, Edna, is far too independent for this era but her pursuit of living her passion is moving.

good book but...

the recording of the book was poorly done. background noise along with random fluctuations in the recording volume make for an awkward listen that distracts the listener from the tale

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Title: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Author: Mark Twain

Narrator: Denny Delk

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-18-12

Publisher: Cherry Hill Publishing

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 22 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Widely regarded as one of the Great American Novels, Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn follows the title character and his unlikely companion, a runaway slave named Jim, as they attempt to escape the confines of sivilized life. Written in the first person vernacular and brimming with satire, insight, and good old fashioned adventure, Twains tale is ideal for listening.

Members Reviews:

THE Great American Novel - superbly rendered

Huckleberry Finn is one of those books that really cries out for an expert reading. Twain went to considerable effort to recreate the different dialects he knew as a boy growing up on the banks of the Mississippi. But who knows them today? What reader can really imagine how Huck's Missouri slang sounded - and how different it was from, say, the speech of a Negro slave? Those are just two examples among many variations - both social and regional - that have to be mastered by the actor who dares to undertake this masterpiece. And a great actor he must be to reflect not only the various dialects, but to differentiate the dozens of characters who populate this classic.

Many have tried it, but - in my opinion - only Denny Delk's magnificent version rings absolutely true. The listener feels himself transported into the wonderful world of the American West around 1850 - with all its human passion, humor and adventure. Compared to the richness of this audible rendition the printed book seems one-dimensional. Hats off to Denny Delk for an incomparable performance!

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Title: The Sea Wolf

Author: Jack London

Narrator: Brian Emerson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-19-12

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 116 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

He is a man capable of abandoning two sailors in an open boat, yet he is an avid and thoughtful reader of the moral philosophers. He is Wolf Larsen, captain of the seal-hunting Ghost and the unforgettable protagonist of one of the world's great sea novels. Tormented by his own convictions, Larsen is an enigma both fascinating and repellent to his reluctant crewman, Humphrey Van Weyden.

Throughout their long and perilous voyage together, the captain's ruthless belief in the survival of the fittest is pitted against Van Weyden's "civilization", a contest between two opposing views of life that demonstrates Jack London's gift for expressing complex ideas with exciting action. The Sea Wolf is a superb example of the genius of a writer who was, in the words of Maxwell Geismar, "the poet of the savage Darwinian struggle".

Members Reviews:

Excellent rite of passage

This is a book I read while younger, but hardly understood. The protagonist is a quite recognizable figure of civilized society, who is totally reliant on the civilization that supports him, and who justifies his existence in spiritual terms. He is impotent in the real, natural world. The antagonist is a materialist and a hedonist who does not believe in the soul, but only the physical struggle of life. The conflict that results, and the subsequent resolution, marries the two worlds quite nicely. I believe that I did not understand the book when I was younger because I had not yet, in my own life, had the experiences of meeting the world on its own terms. I was an idealist and a student then. I understand the need for balance more fully now.

However, I also feel that the quality of the reading, and the recording quality, were instrumental in my new understanding. The reader used multiple voices and accents to animate the characters, and this allowed me to enjoy the story without struggling to maintain attention. There was no distracting production flaw to take me out of the story. It was as if I was actually there in the driving spray, "heaving the boat to", while really I was only driving my car. Jack London wrote this great escapist story in 1904, and the quality of this reader's voice, and the recording, improved on his written word 100 years later. It was not just a pleasant escape, but an affirmation of what it means to be a man. I got much more of The Sea-Wolf this second time around.

Wolf Larson is one of Fiction's great characters

I loved it, perhaps more than it deserved, but it resonated with me. At once a book of meditative philosophy, a romantic adventure, and a castaway story tied all together.

I enjoyedd the whole Humphrey Van Weyden v. Wolf Larson set up, even if it was a tad contrived. The struggle between Humphrey and Wolf allows London the room to explore everything from God, to the Nature of Man, to Love. The Humphrey and Maud climax at the end was probably the books weakest piece, but Wolf Larson is one of the great characters in all of Fiction, IMHO.

The Sea Wolf

Jack London is a terrific writer! I really enjoyed the story of The Sea Wolf, as well as, the character development. The characters became so real I felt as if I was on the schooner, the Ghost, with them. The sences were artfully described---very well done! I also enjoyed the narrator, who changed his voice just enough with the different characters to distinguish them apart.

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Title: The Devil and Tom Walker

Author: Washington Irving

Narrator: John Michaels

Format: Unabridged

Length: 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-17-12

Publisher: Spoken Realms

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 23 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The Devil and Tom Walker is a classic short story by Washington Irving. When you make a deal with the devil you have to shake his hand. At the time Tom made his deal, it seemed like a good idea, but as Tom aged and death approached, he became very pious and even carried two Bibles with him. But a deal is a deal as Tom would discover.

Members Reviews:

Five Stars

Appreciated the noncreepy voice

:)

Nice and creepy! Reminds of the sleepy hollow idea. Great transcendental themes and play of the Faustian legend to boot.

Public domain work

Puritan writing at its finest. Tom Walker is a debased man, miserly and cruel to his fellows, and even to his wife. One day, he runs across the Devil, who shows him a grove of rotting trees, representing souls. They make the customary deal, with Walker becoming one of the richest men around. And Walker begins to work at keeping his soul, despite a lifetime of usury and the very deal to which he agreed.

If you're a fan of works like "The Scarlet Letter," this is probably just right for you. A definitely religious message, but with enough fantasy to draw in even an atheist reader, like myself.

This story is well into the public domain, so go look for some free sources. Project Gutenberg and Librivox are the prime candidates, but I listened to the free audio production available through PodCastle, and was quite pleased.

A must-read for Faustus fans

Tom Walker is married to an absolute nightmare of a woman (he's no saint himself). They're both stingy as can be, sharing nothing with one another, and have the sort of physically and verbally violent rows that frighten the fauna out of the nearby flora.

One evening, Tom is walking in the local wooded morass, when he comes upon an unusual person. At first he thinks the person is a Negro, but then he realises it looks like someone who works in ashes and soot all the time.

Upon asking the person's name, he is told:

"Oh, I go by various names. I am the wild huntsman in some countries; the black miner in others. In this neighborhood I am known by the name of the black woodsman. I am he to whom the red men consecrated this spot, and in honor of whom they now and then roasted a white man, by way of sweet-smelling sacrifice. Since the red men have been exterminated by you white savages, I amuse myself by presiding at the persecutions of Quakers and Anabaptists; I am the great patron and prompter of slave-dealers and the grand-master of the Salem witches."

"The upshot of all which is, that, if I mistake not," said Tom, sturdily, "you are he commonly called Old Scratch."

"The same, at your service!" replied the black man, with a half-civil nod.

The narrator stops to say that if Tom seems to be taking meeting the Devil a bit better than you'd expect, it's because, after living with *his* wife, the Devil isn't all that frightening. Burn!

An offer is made for the whereabouts of a local treasure, in exchange for the usual in these situations as well as something that isn't specified. Tom needs to think on it and returns home where he actually shares this information with his harridan of a wife.