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Title: The Idiot

Author: Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Narrator: Constantine Gregory

Format: Unabridged

Length: 25 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 02-03-17

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 42 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Prince Lyov Nikolayevitch Myshkin is one of the great characters in Russian literature. Is he a saint or just naïve? Is he an idealist or, as many in General Epanchin's society feel, an "idiot"? Certainly his return to St. Petersburg after years in a Swiss clinic has a dramatic effect on the beautiful Aglaia, youngest of the Epanchin daughters, and on the charismatic but willful Nastasya Filippovna. As he paints a vivid picture of Russian society, Dostoyevsky shows how principles conflict with emotions - with tragic results.

Members Reviews:

The Idiot

This was translated very well. The narrator was superb. The characters are very interesting. And it is my 2nd favorite Dostoyevsky.

Perplexing, but thought provoking

I can't say that I loved every minute of it, but after a few months I still think of some of the chapters. it is definitely an interesting novel.

Good but not his best

Having heard this, "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov" I'd say this was the least satisfying in terms of philo/theo logical content and less enjoyable in terms of depth of characters involved.

Constantine Gregory (the narrator) is, as always, great, although the quality of this particular recording was poor - reverby and glitchy.

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Title: The Three Musketeers

Author: Alexandre Dumas

Narrator: Tristam Summers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 23 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-19-17

Publisher: Audioschmaudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Action, adventure, love, comedy, tragedy and duels to the death. Espionage, dare-devilry, double-crossing, untold riches and above all - honour to King and country. This is the greatest story ever told - as compelling today as it was nearly 200 years ago.

Our lovable and headstrong hero D'Artagnan bounds from one brush with death to another, uncovering a plot orchestrated by Cardinal Richelieu that threatens the beautiful Queen Anne of Austria and the entire Kingdom of France. Together with his friends Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, he must stop at nothing to thwart the Cardinal's murderous schemes and rescue the love of his life in a quest that takes him to all corners of 17th Century France and beyond.

Members Reviews:

I found the flow of the story amusing, entertaining ...

I found the flow of the story amusing, entertaining and engrossing. There are some novels, especially among the classics, that you hope would never end; "The Three Musketeers" is one of them.

Five Stars

A classic, presented well, with illustrations.

Five Stars

Great read. Great characters

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Title: Le Pere Goriot

Author: Honoré de Balzac

Narrator: David McCallion

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-11-16

Publisher: A.R.N. Publications

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Honoré de Balzac uses his classic style of detail to describe a most controversial setting in his novel Le Pere Goriot. The story takes place in Paris just after the fall of Napoleon in 1819. The story focuses on three characters, Rastignac, a student who wants to try and make it big in the capital, Vautrin, an interesting and funny character who is also quite mysterious, and the main character, Goriot, that carries a heavy burden that only a loving parent would endure.

The story follows the journey of Rastignac, the two daughters of Goriot, and Goriot himself who was once a wealthy businessman. It's a heart wrenching story of a man driven to poverty by the selfless acts and the overwhelming love and devotion that he has for his two daughters, both of whom are very selfish, and do not share the same love for their father.

How far will Goriot go to keep his daughters happy, and will the daughters ever appreciate the great sacrifices this man has made for them?

Members Reviews:

Oh dear

It is a shame that this is the only version of this classic available on audible .

The narration is utterly dreadful and

frankly you would be better served listing to one of the French versions,of which there are many, even if

You cannot speak the language it will be a better listen than the dull monotonous version that is this recording.

One to avoid

Poor narration

The narrator mispronounced most French and some English words. The performance was very flat in other respects.

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Title: Around the World in 80 Days [Classic Tales Edition]

Author: Jules Verne

Narrator: B. J. Harrison

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-26-16

Publisher: B.J. Harrison

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 60 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Phileas Fogg, a gentleman of stringent and inflexible habits, proposes that he can circumvent the globe in 80 days. He wagers half of his fortune to this effect. But when a high-profile bank robbery occurs, the dogged Detective Fix is convinced that Mr. Fogg is an audacious bank robber and that his entire "gentleman's wager" is a charade. Thus begins a wild battle of cat and mouse that takes the clever combatants around the world.

Members Reviews:

One of my Favorites! What an adventure!

My family read this together when I was 10 and it is one of the of those books that has been referenced and talked about amongst us ever since. This was the first time I've read (or listened I guess) it since then and it is just as good as I remembered!

So much fun going on the journey around the world filled with so many crazy happenings and adventures.

enjoyable, great narrator, slow in middle

narrator does a great job with accents, great beginning and end, not too long either

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Title: Siddhartha

Author: Herman Hesse

Narrator: Paul Ansdell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-20-16

Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 50 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Siddhartha, the ninth book written by Herman Hesse, is about a young Indian boy who leaves his home in hopes of finding enlightenment with the wise "Goutama", which in this story is the Buddha. After learning what he can from Goutama, he decides to go off into the busy city, and leads a life of greed and lust. When he realizes that the lifestyle is not fulfilling, and he reflects on his life, he goes to a river and contemplates suicide. However, it is here that Siddhartha meets a man who will change his life and help lead him to enlightenment, in this classic coming-of-age story about finding meaning and purpose.

Members Reviews:

Beautiful writing and narration.

I have been wanting to read this in Deutsch, but my eyes and mind have failed me. This audible version fulfilled a need I have had for decades.

I think this is good for anybody at any stage in life.

If you don't listen to this whole book, at least listen to the last chapter. The impact of the message will be dampened, but hopefully you will get the main message.

With Love,

(: A Fellow Human Being :)

Meh

I understand that the writing style is lyrical, but this was too much like listening to a children's story. Short phrases with basic vocabulary. The narration didn't help much, either, in this sense.

My interest only got aroused in the last 10% of the book.

The rest of the time I might as well have been half asleep.

bit anoying narrator, sadly.

What disappointed you about Siddhartha?

I heard about 4 hours but i think I have to buy the book with another narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

Great story!

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Title: Gargantua and Pantagruel

Author: François Rabelais

Narrator: Bill Homewood

Format: Unabridged

Length: 34 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-23-16

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

"Most noble and illustrious drinkers..." Thus begins Gargantua and Pantagruel, a grotesque and carnivalesque collection of exuberant, fantastical stories that takes us from the ancient world through to the European Renaissance. At the heart of these tall tales are the giant Gargantua and his equally seismic son, Pantagruel. Containing magical adventures, maniacal punning, slapstick humor, erudite allusions, and just about any bodily function one can think of, here is quite possibly the zaniest, most risqué book ever written.

Featuring the original translation by Urquhart and Motteaux - celebrated for its fluidity and playfulness.

Bill Homewood gives a virtuosic and delightfully exuberant reading of this extraordinary text - "a narrator so perfectly matched to his material that you can't help but smile." [The Times (London)]

Members Reviews:

Rabelais alive and well

All right. This is a loooong book. Actually five books. And they werer written two hundred years ago. Original is in French, but IMO, this translation is very good. Gargantua is a gentle giant . An intellect. A warrior. And a wise King. His son Pantagruel is also huge, and watching his development during his early years is a delight. Most of the books deal with Pantagruel's doings, and with his hilarious group of pals. There is some very funny stuff going on. And if anyone thinks that Chaucer is the master of the long list or catalogue, then meet Rabelais. He can give you two or more pages of words that mean crappy lawyers, or excrement, and corrupt priests, etc etc. A lot of the latter part of the work is the quest for a prediction as to whether friend Panurge will be successful in marriage. All the various attempts at this are quite fun. I am glad to have finally encountered and read this great satire.

Read This Book!

I love Francois Rabelais's Gargantua and Pantagruel. I first read this wonderful book when I was 12 years old and I laughed and stayed up threw the night just to read it. Rabelais is for real and he relishes every moment and every conceivable fart or noise that celebrates our human existence. I read Gargantua and Pantagruel in English and I am sure the French version is just as wild, perhaps even more so! This is a wonderful author to read.

I have really enjoyed it although the language and style are difficult

I was unaware of Rabelais and only knew that Gargantua was a term for a giant. I have really enjoyed it although the language and style are difficult.

Lots of fun, food for thought

Holds up as a classic farce that is as relevant today as it was when it was written.

I'm glad they can enjoy

Not the knee slapper I thought it would be.

Some people are in to this sort of book. I'm glad they can enjoy.

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Titre: Les Misérables : L'intégrale

Auteur: Victor Hugo

Narrateur: Michel Vuillermoz, Élodie Huber, Pierre-François Garel, Louis Arène, Mathurin Voltz

Format: Unabridged

Durée: 56 hrs and 57 mins

Langue: Français

Date de publication: 08-22-16

Éditeur: Éditions Thélème

Evaluation: 4.5 sur 5 sur 34 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Résumé de l'éditeur:

Un enregistrement exceptionnel : les cinq volumes des Misérables, un des plus grands romans de la littérature française, enfin disponibles en livre audio.

Jean Valjean, Cosette, les Thénardier, Gavroche, ou encore Javert sont autant de noms qui résonnent au-delà de l'histoire qui les a fait naître. Ces misérables sont décrits à la fois comme des archétypes du genre humain, mais aussi comme les produits d'une société génératrice de pauvreté, d'ignorance et de désespoir.

© Domaine public (P)2011 Éditions Thélème

Avis des membres:

magnifique chef-d'œuvre!!!!

je redécouvre les Misérables après plus de vingt ans.

un chef-d'œuvre à lire et relire écouter et réécouter. livre remplie de sagesse et de philosophie.

Michel Vuillermoz (the 1st) is a really bad reader

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The other guys read really well, but I feel the need to rate the performance really low to attract attention to the fact that the first book needs to be reread.

There's no life to what he reads. His tone never matches the scene and sometimes go through some sentences as if there's no points and comma and he's just doing his best to pronounce words after words.

Un Chef-d'oeuvre de tous les temps

Where does Les Misérables : L'intégrale rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

The best by far. Of course for fluent French speaking people.

What did you like best about this story?

The most vivid of early 19th century historical background

What about the narratorss performance did you like?

All five narrators had different talents and they were all sincere and passionate

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Les Miserables!

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed all the many digressions. The one that would be most difficult for non French speakers would be the one on "argot". It can be skipped.

It doesn't work

What disappointed you about Les Misérables : L'intégrale?

I purchased the title but I cannot play it. The library is empty on the app audible on my tablet which is the only place where I supposedly can play this thing.

Any additional comments?

Make it works!

Absolutely exquisite!

By far one of the best classic works EVER. Great for anyone wanting to brush up on their French.

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Title: Under Western Eyes

Author: Joseph Conrad

Narrator: George Guidall

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-25-16

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Under Western Eyes, Conrad's novel of political treachery and oppression, begins with a bomb that kills a hated Russian minister of police along with innocent bystanders. A young student named Razumov hides the perpetrator, then betrays him and becomes a spy among his exiled comrades. He faces a moral dilemma from which there is no escape.

This masterwork, published six years before the Russian Revolution, is a chillingly accurate prophecy of what was to come.

Members Reviews:

Perfect narrator, great story

George Guidall does a brilliant job of this psychological thriller. A genuine classic, reminded me of Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment. Great insight into someone who is put into an impossible situation, unwillingly dragged into a terrorist act in tsarist Russia. Conrad is a great story-teller.

Robert in SFO

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Title: The Stranger by Albert Camus: Summary & Analysis

Author: Chris Hughes

Narrator: Michael C. Gwynne

Format: Unabridged

Length: 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-22-16

Publisher: Chris Hughes

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 21 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Please note: This is a summary and analysis of the book, not the original book.

The Stranger, by Albert Camus, is a French philosophical novel written in the mid-1940s. In the novel, we are introduced to our narrator, Monsieur Meursault. Meursault is a French man living in Algiers and has just received word via telegram that his elderly mother has passed away. He notes that he has asked for two days of leave from his job, even though his boss is quite annoyed by this. He is to travel to the Home for Aged Persons in Marengo, which is at least 50 miles from Algiers. He takes the bus and sleeps for most of the trip from Algiers to Marengo.

Once he arrives in Marengo, he realizes he has a one-mile walk to the home. When he finally arrives to the home, he is greeted by the doorkeeper. The warden meets him in his office and tells him that even though Meursault all but abandoned his mother in this home, it was the absolute best decision he could have made. The director knows that Meursault makes very little money at his job and could not take care of his mother. He also claims that Meursault's mother had made great friends and had enjoyed spending her last few years with people of her own age.

Meursault had felt judged by the warden, but after this conversation, he agreed with the notion that his mother had been better off in this home, instead of living with him. We see Meursault rationalizing why he had not been to visit his mother much, as it cost him an entire weekend day on Sundays, the commute to the home was an hour each way, and getting a ticket for the bus was a hassle in and of itself. The director then informs Meursault that he has arranged for a religious funeral ceremony to be performed the next day. Meursault knows that his mother was not religious and would not care.

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Title: The Prince

Author: Niccolò Machiavelli

Narrator: David McCallion

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 07-07-16

Publisher: A.R.N. Publications

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 128 votes

Genres: Classics, European Literature

Publisher's Summary:

In an attempt to appeal to the Medici family during the Italian Renaissance, Machiavelli outlines the way to acquire and retain political power, and how great men should behave in a princely government. The book is divided into four parts - types of principalities and state, proper conduct of a prince as military leader, personal conduct of a prince, and the disparity of Italy's political situation. Many listeners will be able to see principals that Machiavelli advocates for are still used in many political systems today.

Members Reviews:

A great way to enjoy Machiavelli

When studying the history of political and philosophical texts, The Prince is perhaps one of, if not the most, important in political realism. Where many of Niccol Machiavellis contemporaries, like Plato, focus on what the ideal government should be, Machiavelli focuses on how people are able to obtain and hold power, making his observations more realistic than those of Plato.

Having read the print version in the past, I found this audio book version read by David McCallion is very easy to listen to. The proper British English adds to the narrative, fitting the Renaissance feel of the novel allowing the reader to fall into the story much more easily than just reading the text. Given the importance of this book in the history of political works, it is important to go through the text slowly, which McCallion achieves very well in his narration style, look no further this version will not disappoint you.

A Very Interesting Read

Machiavelli can be a bit confusing to those that do not have an understanding of some of the historical content within the book, but the principals he talks about are ones that people can certainly relate to centuries later. I definitely recommend giving this a listen as it gives you some great political insight, and the narration was wonderful and well paced.

Now I know

This allowed me to get a much better understanding of the principals Machiavelli was trying to relay. The reading was just a bit too melaton for me, but I get it!

Terrible reader

The reader read as though he did not understand the contents. Grating. Dumb. Completely unlistenable!

masterful

this was an interesting listen. I hope that some good can be gleaned from the wrong doers of the world!!