Download Best Sellers Audiobooks in Fiction, Literary

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Title: To Let

Subtitle: The Forsyte Saga, Book 3

Author: John Galsworthy

Narrator: David Case

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-16-07

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 50 votes

Genres: Fiction, Literary

Publisher's Summary:

In To Let, Irene's son Jon and Soames' daughter Fleur, now both 19 years old, fall in love. But when Jon learns of the past feud between their families, he decides that he cannot marry Fleur. To drive her from his mind, he travels to America with his mother Irene. Fleur now throws herself at her long-standing admirer, Michael Mont, a fashionable baronet's son, and the two are married.

Soames Forsyte learns that his second wife, Annette, has been unfaithful to him, and is left desolately contemplating the sale of Robin Hill. When Timothy Forsyte, the last of the old generation, dies at the age of 100, the Forsyte family begins to disintegrate.

John Galsworthy received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1932.

Critic Reviews:

"A social satire of epic proportions and one that does not suffer by comparison with Thackeray's Vanity Fair...the whole comedy of manners, convincing both in its fidelity to life and as a work of art." (New York Times)

"[Galsworthy] has carried the history of his time through three generations, and his success in mastering so excellently his enormously difficult material, both in its scope and in its depth, remains an extremely memorable feat in English literature." (Anders Osterling, Nobel Prize presentation speech, 1932)

Members Reviews:

Tatty editing spoils a good listen

It is a great pity that this excellent reading of the Galsworthy novels has been allowed to go out in its new format without the bother of anyone listening to the original. It comes with occasional advice to 'turn over the cassette because the story continues on the other side' and with numerous retakes of various phrases which should have been edited out - and this criticism applies to 'In Chancery' as well.

To Let: The Forsyte Saga, Book 3

Having thoroughly enjoyed the Martin Jarvis narration of Vol. 1 & 2 of the Forsyte saga, I was longing to hear Book 3 so was forced to find another narrator. What a travesty! David Case seems to be doing a pastiche of Keneth Williams - mocking and mincing throughout. Worst of all is his rendering of the female voices. It has almost spoilt Christmas...

wonderfully read

It was read beautifully that I couldn't help myself listening to it. Of course this book was written so well, but the reader make so interesting that you couldn't wait for the next part of the story.

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Title: Kilmeny of the Orchard

Author: L.M. Montgomery

Narrator: Grace Conlin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-08-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 49 votes

Genres: Fiction, Literary

Publisher's Summary:

Twenty-four-year-old Eric Marshall arrives on Prince Edward Island to become a substitute schoolmaster, even though he has a bright future in his wealthy family's business. Eric has taken the two-month teaching post only as a favor to a friend - but fate throws in his path a beautiful, mysterious girl named Kilmeny Gordon. With jet black hair and sea blue eyes, Kilmeny immediately captures Eric's heart. But Kilmeny cannot speak, and Eric is concerned for and bewitched by this shy, sensitive mute girl. For the first time in his life, he must work hard for something he wants badly. And there is nothing he wants more than for Kilmeny to return his love.

(P)1996 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Members Reviews:

Charming.

In true Montgomery fashion, a cute little story with simplicity, old-fashioned charm and romance.

Concerts for Two in the Apple Orchard

While not quite at the level of "Rilla of Inglesides" or "Anne of Green Gables", this is a pretty decent little romantic story of triumph over personal adversity. Like every Montgomery tale I've read, this is set in the Maritime Providences. I love Grace Conlin's voice. It is deep, musical and marvelously plays Lucy Maude Montgomery's wind in tree tops, the smell of flowers, the scent of spring, color of sunset clouds, the royal splendor of apple blossoms, feel of rain drops on one's face and the sparkle of dew in the morning sunlight. Montgomery attention to nature reminds me a bit of Elizabeth von Arnim's books such as "The Enchanted April", "The Solitary Summer" and "Elizabeth's German Garden". One is aware of every tiny breeze and the perfume of the smallest flower. Their stories are so restful, the humor is gentle and romance is tenderly unobtrusive.

I know that my next statement will get me in trouble but I boldly go on because I tell only the truth. Today, Kilmeny Gordon's handicap would be viewed as a positive attraction to most men. Indeed, one would be willing to pay extra for the benefit of a silent wife. Ah...blessed peace and quiet at home. One would never have to know what the neighbors are doing. It is interesting to see how our attitudes have changed in the last hundred years. Far from being an outcast, Kilmeny would be a positive star today. Even then, most of the obstacles in this story were in the mind. I am with Eric Marshall, the hero, I think they could have been braved and subdued.

Love the book, can't stand the narration

The book itself is excellent, but the narrator kills me. I'm an L.M. Montgomery fan and collector of her 1st editions. Having visited Prince Edward Island, I never met anyone who spoke with the Southern accent with which Ms. Conlin narrates the book. The most distracting thing was the mispronunciation of Kilmeny. It's KIL-mah-nee not Kill-many! If you have never read this book before, skip the audio and go for the text.

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Título: Nahum

Subtitular: Caballo de Troya 7 [Nahum: The Trojan Horse, Book 7]

Autor: J.J. Benitez

Narrador: Full Cast

Formato: Abridged

Duración: 4 hrs and 35 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 10-25-06

Editor: FonoLibro Inc. (Audiolibros - Audio Libros)

Calificaciones: 4.5 de 5 de 37 votos

Categorías: Fiction, Literary

Resumen del editor:

Nahum la ciudad de Jesús abre una nueva etapa en la serie "Caballo de Troya". En esta séptima entrega todo cambia. Descubrir la trama no es aconsejable. Usted, probablemente, no dará crédito a lo que escuche en esta magnifica producción. Quizá tenga razón, pero no olvide que la ficción y la realidad son a veces cuestión de criterio y en todo caso "Caballo de Troya" es una historia fascinante. Nada de lo que se considera oficial y ortodoxo guarda relación con lo escrito en "Caballo de Troya."

FonoLibro les trae una versión dramatizada, en formato de audiolibro, de la séptima entrega con elenco completo, música original y efectos de sonido los cuales le harán sentir como si usted estuviera presente en la historia.

Crítica Comentarios:

"Similar al primer audiolibro de esta serie producido por FonoLibro en 2004, este audiolibro dramatizado es excepcional. Las voces están perfectamente seleccionadas para cada personaje, particularmente la calmada y lucida voz de Jesús y la voz cautivante del narrador protagonista. Simple, pero una poderosa música y los efectos de sonidos añaden atmósfera de misterio y suspenso. (Críticas Magazine)

Opiniones de los miembros:

Una excelente historia

Lo tuve que escuchar en un día. Me encanta su forma de escribir sinceramente el mejor

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Title: How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas

Author: Jeff Guinn

Narrator: Susan Denaker

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 10-15-05

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 72 votes

Genres: Fiction, Literary

Publisher's Summary:

It's 1620 and Mrs. Claus' dear husband is off in the New World planting the seeds of what will become a glorious Christmas tradition. Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus has chosen to stay in England, where the first signs of a dangerous threat to Yuletide cheer are in evidence. The Puritans have gained control of Parliament and appear determined to take all the fun out of Christmas. But Mrs. Claus knows that it's time for serious action when, in 1647, a law is passed by Parliament that actually punishes anyone who celebrates Christmas.

Using as its springboard the actual events of a day in 1647 when 10,000 peasants marched through the streets of Canterbury demanding their right to celebrate a beloved holiday, How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas is rich in historical detail, adventure, and plain ol' Christmas fun. Children, parents, and entire families will enjoy this holiday classic!

Members Reviews:

Not quite what I wanted

After having gone through the slight and fairly enjoyable "Autobiography of Santa Claus," I was expecting perhaps something in the same light vein. This was a bit too "precious" for me - perhaps it was the narration that made it so, and far too repetitive over the last 2 hours or so. This is not a "Holiday Romp" novel that I mistakenly thought it would be - I read the title to mean it would be a "fun" novel; it's not, it's a serio-historical drama, far more geared toward the religious aspects of the holiday. I do suppose that if you are a Christian, you might very well enjoy this novel far more than I did. In other words, it's very "Christ-mass" and less holiday than I wanted.

Excellent Christmas story

This was adorable and very festive! I thought the story was good for children and adults

Loved this story !

I loved this story of Mrs. Claus and how she saved Christmas. It's full of history and fun, and ordinary people changing the world.

One caution - this book is the second in the story of Christmas. I would recommend reading the Autobiography of Santa Claus first.

utterly charming story

I am a sucker for a Christmas book and this is one of the best of the best. It is engaging, thought provoking , educational and delightful. This is destined to be an annual holiday classic for my December Christmas book reading binge

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Title: Oryx and Crake

Subtitle: MaddAddam Trilogy, Book 1

Author: Margaret Atwood

Narrator: John Chancer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-21-05

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 120 votes

Genres: Fiction, Literary

Publisher's Summary:

Margaret Atwood's classic novel,

The Handmaid's Tale, is about the future. Now, in Oryx and Crake, the future has changed: it's much worse. The narrator of this riveting novel calls himself Snowman. When the story opens, he's sleeping in a tree, wearing an old bedsheet, mourning the loss of his beloved Oryx and his best friend Crake, and slowly starving to death. As he tries to piece together what has taken place, the narrative shifts to decades earlier. Why is he left with nothing but his haunting memories?

©2003 Margaret Atwood (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.

Critic Reviews:

"Rigorous in its chilling insights and riveting in its fast-paced 'what if' dramatization, Atwood's superb novel is as brilliantly provocative as it is profoundly engaging." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Fantastic

I really enjoyed this title, it was so good that it only lasted 2 long listening sessions! I only wish there were more *unabridged* works from Margaret Atwood available at audible.

A breath taking dystopia !!!

One of the best end-of-the-world books out there. Atwood is a genius at storytelling, she moves from present to past like a boss

John Chancer really brings the story to life

What made the experience of listening to Oryx and Crake the most enjoyable?

This book works well as a standalone -- better than the other two books -- but it does get even better as part of the MaddAdams trilogy.

John Chancer does an excellent job bringing Jimmy and the crakers to life. When i think about the book I keep hearing his saying "Ohhh Jimmy" as the crackers, and it brings a smile to my face every time.

This is a book in which the narrator ads another layer to the story.

Storywise it tells you a lot about Jimmy but less about the world. The two following books flesh out the world better.

Good book and I highly recommend it.

I'll listen to anything read by John Chancer

As a Margaret Atwood fan, it was a double whammy to discover it read by another favorite, John Cancer. His warm voice kept me in my seat.

Grotesque objectification of women

Sexist view point of lead character and sickening themes of child pornography - couldn't finish it.

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Title: The Way of All Flesh

Author: Samuel Butler

Narrator: Frederick Davidson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-22-04

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 123 votes

Genres: Fiction, Literary

Publisher's Summary:

This is one of the most fascinating character studies you will ever read, the story of a young man who survives the baleful influence of a hateful, hypocritical father, a doting mother, and a debauched wife, to emerge as a decent, happy human being. It is also a stinging satire of Victorian gentry, their pomposity, sentimentality, pseudo-respectability, and refined cruelty, a satire still capable of delivering death-blows to the same traits that exist in our present world.

Members Reviews:

Really spectacular

This book is really quite amazing. I constantly found my own assumptions about modern society turned on their head. I was amazed at how readily issues like coporal punishment by parents, or atheism were discussed. I've always taken for granted that liberal views on issues like these were recent developments but I'm obviously mistaken.

Aside from all its social commentary, though, this book is fabulously entertaining from beginning to end. It doesn't feel the least bit dated at any time.

The one thing that holds this back from a 5-star rating is the narrator. This is a love-or-hate guy. He is unquestionably talented -- able to maintain a seeming endless array of character voices in his head, which he switches between effortlessly, even in conversations involving four or five people. The problem is, his voices, including his normal one which he uses for the non-conversational narration is foppish, pretentious and obnoxious. He also has a tendancy to make his protagonists sound like wimpy little pansies.

The book is so good, though, that you will find yourself not even noticing the narrator (or maybe you'll love him -- lots of people do). I take some comfort in the fact that I listened to his reading of David Copperfield and by comparison this narration is spectacular. I nearly gave up on David Copperfield halfway through deciding that I'd better just read the book myself rather than having a classic ruined for me by this guy.

A masterpiece&the narrator isn't so bad after all

When I originally attempted to listen to this book, I was completely offended by the narrator. After bearing through it for some time (and adjusting the equalizer to drown out his slurping and breathing) I was treated to a wonderful story about morals, morality, and moralism. The difference is subtle, but striking, and Butler conveys it masterfully with fine character development, plot, and not too little psychological and philosophical anlysis. It is even better than I expected too because the narrator turns out to be an amazing actor and he is really able to draw the audience in with his diverse voice. The book is truly a masterpiece and it is a wonder how it was written before the 20th century (so many of its themes became mainstays in the literature of the last century). Listen and enjoy.

classic satire- would make Jon Stewart laugh

I found this laugh-out-loud funny in places. I read the novel in the 80s and it was even better as an audiobook.

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Title: Parnassus on Wheels

Author: Christopher Morley

Narrator: Nadia May

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-29-04

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 82 votes

Genres: Fiction, Literary

Publisher's Summary:

A roaring good adventure yarn spiced with fiery roadside brawls, the most groaning boards in the history of Yankee cookery, heroic escapes from death, and a rare love story, Roger Mifflin's story shows how bookselling can be one of the world's highest callings: dispelling ignorance while causing constant delight.

Members Reviews:

The Magical Mystery Tour: The Parnassus!

And it's pulled by a fat horse named Peg (short for Pegasus), followed by a spry dog named Bock, and led by the intrepid Helen McGill and the feisty Roger Mifflin.

This absolute charmer of a book is told from the point of view of Helen McGill, a woman getting on in years (thirty-nine...oh, my!), who, for the first time in her life, does something for herself: namely, buys the Parnassus book mobile in an effort to keep it away from her book loving, suddenly-famous-author brother and goes on the road herself. On the way, she and Roger Mifflin have many adventures of their own, enjoyable conversations, meet delightful people, and, well, just make this one of the flat-out best audible experiences I've ever had. Nadia May nails not only Helen, but every single one of the characters, male/female, gruff/sophisticated, reserved/hysterical. She was absolutely made for this book.

If you get the kindle whispersync version (or with the free kindle app if you don't have a kindle), this is an inexpensive listen that is sooooooo worth the time. Especially as it's so delightful, the smile will stay with you for many a day.

HIGHLY recommended!

A Jewel of a Novella

Let me ask you this... Are you tired of Listening to graphic sex. foul language, The crippling or mutilation, even murder of another person?

While these do have their place, I would urge you to sit back and enjoy

Parnassus on Wheels.

What a delight to hear. There is everything you could want in this little Gem.

Romance + Adventure + Mystery + Humor, and a wee bit of the blarney... You will love it.

Old Fashioned Wonderful Read For The Whole Family.

The kind of story that is a wonderful read. It reminded me a bit of Dickens but a few hundred years later. I love books. The character in this book loves books. As I said in the title, this is a wonderful sit down for the entire family.

This reader was perfect for this book.

Cute story although it is very different, for some reason, it reminds me of "The Rainmaker" with Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn.

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Title: The Holy Grail

Author: Sir Thomas Malory

Narrator: John Franklyn-Robbins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Literary

Publisher's Summary:

Merlin, Arthur, Galahad, Lancelot - the names conjure images of knights in armor during the age of chivalry. When Le Morte D'Arthur was first published in 1485, it was the first time the mélange of medieval tales had been given unity, form, and the English language. Sir Thomas Malory, an English knight born in the early 1400s, wrote Le Morte D'Arthur - a set of 8 romances having to do with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - when he was in Newgate Gaol. The Holy Grail is one of the most famous.

(P)1992 by Recorded Books, Inc.

Editorial Reviews:

The legend of King Arthur is one of the longest-lasting and most-beloved epics in the English language. And it was Sir Thomas Malory who first arranged all of the tales into a long, English text back in 1485, calling it Le Morte D'Arthur. Here, with an expert performance from award-winning actor John Franklyn-Robbins, is one of the most famous tales from Arthurian legend: The Holy Grail. The Grail has a long link to Christian legend, and is the ultimate symbol for a knight's quest. Listen along as King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table embark on their greatest quest.

Members Reviews:

Four hours to find the Holy Grail

This audiobook is an excerpt from the larger story cycle told by Thomas Malory and printed in 1485, the Morte d'Arthur, the Death of Arthur stories, which have inspired so many modern works, including Lord of the Rings. The reading is lovely. Much of the original language is kept and though words are different and turned around in meaning sometimes, one very quickly catches on, because the reader keeps modern pronunciation. One of my favorite discoveries from this reading was how Malory likes to make rhyming paired alternatives: we still say "whether he will or nil," but he also says "would or nood" and "wist or nist" for knowing or not knowing. All you really need to know to understand this book from (barely) pre-Tudor times is that Siege means seat, not a warfare tactic. As in the Siege Perilous, that only Galahad could safely sit in at the Round Table. Siege is simply a French word, and they used some French in those days that we have exchanged for other French these days.

The story cycle of the search for the Grail is short and makes sense from beginning to end. It follows not only the original story by Chretien de Troyes, who probably first imagined the Grail, but the amendments quickly added by other writers such as Robert de Boron to Christianize the story, making the Grail a cup and in fact, THE cup, and adding in Joseph of Arimathea. The original glimpse of the Grail that we got from Chretien was none too Christian and then the author died before he finished the story, so his bestseller book sorely needed a quick fix and got fixes from writers across Europe. Malory faithfully reports the dominant legend as it came down to him from the early 13th century, almost three centuries before he wrote his great collection of Arthur stories.

The Grail tales are lively and vivid and have, as intended, many ethical issues which were no doubt discussed in 15th century book discussions. Which should Bors rescue, a maiden being raped, or his brother being beaten to death with whips from thorn bushes? Lionel survives, but one can appreciate just how seriously annoyed he was at the choice Bors made.

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Title: A Room with a View

Author: E.M. Forster

Narrator: John Franklyn Robbins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Fiction, Literary

Publisher's Summary:

E.M. Forster's masterful, romantic comedy of manners tells the tale of an Englishwoman who steps out of her rigid, hierarchical society to find love. Lucy Honeychurch lives in Windy Corners, her family's country estate in Suffolk, England, where she is engaged to the respectable, fastidious Cecil Vyse. But she cannot forget a man named George Emerson, whom she met by chance on a trip to Florence. In Italy, she felt emancipated from her conventional upbringing, and her embrace with George moved him to declare his undying love. Forced to choose between two men, two marriages, and two markedly different ways of seeing the world, Lucy faces a difficult decision. Beautifully narrated by John Frandlyn-Robbins, A Room with a View is one of the 20th century's most charming and compelling novels.

Editorial Reviews:

Forster's classic recounts the adventures of English tourists who meet in an Italian pensione and follows their intersecting lives when they return to England. With Franklyn-Robbins's narration, listeners can't help but catch Forster's subtle irony and playful humor. Whether you read this classic long ago or have never read it, the advice remains the same. Listen to this audio version. You will be amply rewarded by Franklyn-Robbins's performance of Forster's wickedly funny critique of his people - nineteenth-century, middle- and upper-middle-class Britons - who traveled abroad.

Members Reviews:

Great novel from Edwardian England

Enjoyable recording but the narrator pronounces Mr Beebe's name like "Mr Bee Bee".

It takes getting used to after seeing the film.

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Title: Visions of Cody

Author: Jack Kerouac

Narrator: Graham Parker

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 26 votes

Genres: Fiction, Literary

Publisher's Summary:

Hear Jack Kerouac's most radical experiment in language and storytelling - an "enormous paean" to that singular and influential figure Neal Cassady. A fusion of radical improvisation, bold reportage, and oracular voice, it is Kerouac's ultimate version of his ultimate masterpiece, On the Road. The selections featured in this recording capture Kerouac's astonishing spontaneity, a quality that inspired Allen Ginsberg to dub Visions of Cody "the most sincere and holy writing I know of our age."

©1960 Jack Kerouac; ©1972 The Estate of Jack Kerouac, All Rights Reserved; (P) and ©1996 Penguin Books USA Inc.

Critic Reviews:

Winner of Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award: Best Audio of 1996, Dramatic Reading.

Members Reviews:

Annoying

Why pick a narrator with a British accent to read Kerouac? Why make the jazz background music so prominent and incessant? Why abridge a work whose thorough, thick description is precisely the point? I'm a fan of Kerouac and have loved other readings of his works (I'm partial to Matt Dillon's reading of On the Road,) but I find this one marred by pretentiousness and difficult to appreciate.

An American Tale Told in a Strange Cockney Voice

I have to agree with an earlier review. I thought that the accent of the narrator would not bother me. I am a world traveler, but I do know that traveling the states is a different thing all together, and I find this reading to be awful and unlistenable. Very disappointing.

What...

This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This is horrible, it skips every part of the actual book

very disappointed

Annoying British accent...

Would you ever listen to anything by Jack Kerouac again?

yes

What didnt you like about Graham Parkers performance?

everything

You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

nope

Performance is good, but not right

I have read Visions of Cody, I have heard audio of Kerouac reading excerpts. Kerouac has a very unique delivery and cadence that many have tried to emulate, some do it pretty well, some don't. Using his native accent, there is no attempt to imitate the sound of Kerouac reading; the issue being Kerouac's writing is essential tied to the cadence, timbre, and accent he developed being of French Canadian ancestry in Massachusetts. The accent may not be as jarring with another Kerouac book, such as Town and City or Dr. Sax, but this is not a narrative as much as a collection of visions and they just don't work with the cadence and pronunciations painted on them. If the accent isn't bad enough, there is an insistence on aura music in the background of the reading, such as pseudo-bebop jazz riffs, the required beatnik bongos, and japanese flutes wafting zen-like through the words, that just make this feel more of an attempt at performance art than the reading of a book.

Wrong voice for the material.

The narrator may be a successful "Pop Star" but his cockney accent isn't exactly the King's English nor is it the right voice for this most American of material.

It's hard to take and I foud myself dragging through this book in fits and starts only because of my dedication to Kerouac and the story.