Download New Releases Full Audiobooks in Classics, British Literature

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Title: Paradise Lost & Paradise Regained

Author: John Milton

Narrator: Charlton Griffin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-13-08

Publisher: Audio Connoisseur

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 475 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The main work represented in this recording, Paradise Lost, is divided into roughly three sections. In the first section, covering books one through four, we are shown how Satan manages to regroup his followers after their defeat in Heaven, how they decide to renew the struggle with God, how Satan escapes from Hell and makes his way to earth to do mischief, and how God discovers Satan's new plot and decides to allow it to unfold.

The next section, books five through eight, take place on earth as we are introduced to Adam and Eve, their discourses with God's angels, and a retelling of the battle between God and Satan as rendered by the angel Raphael.

In the last section, books nine through 12, Eve is seduced by a disguised Satan and eats the forbidden fruit. Adam, distressed at the event, yet unwilling to be parted from Eve, decides to eat the fruit and share her fate. God sends His Son to earth to render punishment, but only after the Son pleads successfully on their behalf for mercy. He descends and tells Adam that they can no longer remain in Eden, but then takes him to a place and shows him a vision of mankind's future.

Paradise Regained follows the Gospel of Luke in presenting the story of Satan's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. In striking contrast to Adam and Eve, Satan is utterly foiled in his attempt to corrupt the Son of God.

Members Reviews:

SELL YOUR SHIRT FOR THIS AUDIO BOOK!

Having listened to both Naxos sets (Anton Lesser), Blackstone (Ralph Cosham) and (Nadia May) for some years, I have to say that Griffin really holds the listener. You can soon skip the biography if you wish. You can also enjoy and learn from 'Paradise Regained' as this, too, is really an added bonus in this set!

If you are troubled with understanding at first, read Lanzana's novel or his plain English version. C. S. Lewis has a famous 'Preface'. Nicolson's 'Reader's Guide to John Milton' is also a great way to start. Blarmire's 'Milton's Creation' is a superb commentary.

Keep listening to Milton, especially this set, and you'll find a life-long friend - by far the best writer of all!

Great Bio Followed by Milton's Masterpiece

Other reviewers criticized this audio book for the 2 hour bio of Milton. I thought the biography of Milton was excellent. It really puts the poem in perspective and gives the reader a better appreciation for Milton and for Paradise Lost. If you don't want to listen to the bio, just skip to the poem. Milton's beliefs about the relationship of church and state were way ahead of his time, and he quite literally put his neck on the line for his beliefs. Milton is often criticized for staying loyal to Cromwell long after it became clear that Cromwell had abandoned many of the principles which helped him come to power. But what choice did he have? The alternative to Cromwell was the Crown. With Cromwell and his successors there was some hope however slim, with the Crown there was none.

Anyhow, the poem itself is very well read, but listen to this when you can focus such as on a walk. If you're listening in the car you'll be hitting the 30 second rewind a lot or missing much.

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Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray

Author: Oscar Wilde

Narrator: Michael Page

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-10-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1222 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

"If it were I," exclaims Dorian, "who were always to be young and that picture that was to grow old . . . I would give my soul for that."

With that spoken, the tale of this young hero of amazing beauty, Dorian Gray, begins. His pact with evil allows his portrait to take on his many sins and degradations while his physical appearance remains youthful. Over the years as he becomes cruel and vicious, even murderous, Dorian's young and perfect body is no longer enough to salvage his deteriorating mind and morality. Will justice and good prevail?

Members Reviews:

One of my faves!!!

The narrator takes the experience to new heights! very gifted indeed : ) I have read this book several times and very much prefer the audible version. So into it!!

Creepy Gothic Story

What did you love best about The Picture of Dorian Gray?

The fact that the writer directly engaged the moral issue, which can be summed up as, "Is it better to be beautiful than good?" Oddly he answers his own question in the conventional way, which is not what I was prepared for. It seems Gray gets his just punishment at the end. But along the way there is the idea that fate, accident, random occurrences also can determine one's outcomes. So this isn't a straightforward justification of the "wages of sin." I think Wilde was more subtle than that in his contemplation of art and aesthetic appreciation and their effects on human life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There isn't a single likeable character in the story. Dorian is immorality incarnate, Basil allows his appreciation of aesthetics to get in the way of his judgment, Sir Henry is a loathsome upper class idiot, and Sybil is a fool. But Dorian's development from a beautiful young innocent to a decadent monster is fascinating.

Which character as performed by Michael Page was your favorite?

The narration was very good and Page did all the characters well.

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

No, but I learned more about the 19th century foppish British aristocracy--possibily Wilde's own circle--that I might have wanted.

What a story! What a performance!

Love it? Adore it! The decadence of human soul, having been corrupted by humanity. Wilde knew a great deal about it, for he had his own demons (nothing different from what we experience nowadays).

But it's not the novel I would like to commend, but the performance. Indeed, what a performance! Wow! Mr Page, hats off!

Great Classic

Any additional comments?

A very interesting story about vanity and corruption. I really enjoy the works of Oscar Wilde.

Oscar Wilde was ahead of his time...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Picture of Dorian Gray to be better than the print version?

Not sure I could ever call an audio edition better than the printed version. It was, however, a great way to experience Dorian Gray. I compare an audio edition to a movie, not to a book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Henry - I was guessing at who he truly really was throughout the whole book - was he a devil or just a free spirited Englishman?

Have you listened to any of Michael Pages other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I certainly will. He made this book come alive.

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

I hadn't planned it but I did.

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Title: Agnes Grey

Author: Anne Brontë

Narrator: Emilia Fox

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-09-08

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 209 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Exclusively from Audible

Drawing heavily from personal experience, Anne Brontë wrote Agnes Grey in an effort to represent the many 19th Century women who worked as governesses and suffered daily abuse as a result of their position.

Having lost the family savings on risky investments, Richard Grey removes himself from family life and suffers a bout of depression. Feeling helpless and frustrated, his youngest daughter, Agnes, applies for a job as a governess to the children of a wealthy, upper-class, English family.

Ecstatic at the thought that she has finally gained control and freedom over her own life, Agnes arrives at the Bloomfield mansion armed with confidence and purpose. The cruelty with which the family treat her however, slowly but surely strips the heroine of all dignity and belief in humanity.

A tale of female bravery in the face of isolation and subjugation, Agnes Grey is a masterpiece claimed by Irish writer, George Moore, to be possessed of all the qualities and style of a Jane Austen title. Its simple prosaic style propels the narrative forward in a gentle yet rhythmic manner which continuously leaves the listener wanting to know more.

Anne Brontë, the somewhat lesser known sister, was in fact the first to finish and publish Agnes Grey under the pseudonym of Acton Bell. Charlotte and Emily followed shortly after with Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.

As Anne passed away from what is now known to be pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of just 29, she only published one further title; The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. As feminist in nature as Agnes Grey, Anne's brave voice resonates and permeates during one of the most prejudiced and patriarchal times of English history.

Narrator Biography

Emilia Fox is an English stage, film and TV actress, best known for playing the role of Dr Nikki Alexander on the BBC's crime drama Silent Witness. Having been involved in the programme since 2004, she is now its longest serving cast member.

Her other credits include Merlin, Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca, and her theatre background includes performances of The Cherry Orchard with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Emilia has also starred alongside Adrien Brody in Roman Polanski's The Pianist, beside Billie Piper and Dougray Scott in Things to Do Before You're 30 and with Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas in Keeping Mum.

She has voiced many audiobooks for Audible, including Philippa Gregory's The White Queen, William Shakespeare's The Tempest, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Sylvia Plath's Lady Lazarus and Victoria Hislop's The Island.

Members Reviews:

Loved it

I loved Agnes Grey. Agnes is a young woman of incredible character, and her integrity, patience, prudence, forbearance, self-control, humility, forgiveness, tenderness, and compassion are to be admired. It is so important to read about people one would want to emulate and would aspire to be like, and Agnes Grey is one such person. The comparisons and contrasts between all of the book's characters was an insight into humankind, as well. And, the ending...

I love anything Bronte

Agnes Grey read by Emilia Fox is charming and engaging if not predictable (but who cares its a Bronte!). I thought the narrators voice was angelic and perfect for the meandering mind of the protagonist. I feel that I go back in time, that these audio books of stories from that century, make me feel like I am in my own time ship.

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Title: The Canterbury Tales [Blackstone]

Author: Geoffrey Chaucer

Narrator: Ralph Cosham, Simon Vance, Martin Jarvis, Ray Porter, Jay Carnes, John Lee, Malcolm Hillgartner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 20 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-18-08

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 467 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Thus we hear, translated into modern English, 20-some tales, told in the voices of knight and merchant, wife and miller, squire and nun, and many more. Some are bawdy, some spiritual, some romantic, some mysterious, some chivalrous. Between the stories, the travelers converse, joke, and argue, revealing much about their individual outlooks on life, as well as what life was like in late 14th-century England.

Members Reviews:

Many voices, at times enthralling

This new Blackstone recording of "Canterbury Tales" is wonderful and at times enthralling -- and also at times laugh-out-loud funny. Like the Charlton Griffin recording (also available here), it's the whole ball of wax: every tale, including the often-omitted Tale of Melibee and the Parson's Tale (which is really a three-hour sermon rather than a tale. Listen to it. It's good for the digestion, and quite a bit more interesting than it sounds). This translation, by J.U. Nicholson, uses a more old-fashioned vocabulary in places than the Coghill translation used by Griffin; but at the same time, it's also saltier. There are few crude names for parts or functions of the human body that Chaucer fails to use at one point or another, and most of them find their way into this recording. (For me, that's a GOOD thing!) One notable feature is that this is a multi-voice recording. Martin Jarvis is Chaucer, Ralph Cosham the Lawyer, Simon Vance the Squire; and that's only a few examples. Both this version and Griffin's version are five-star recordings in my book. Griffin's has occasional music, which this one lacks; on the other hand, this one has greater variety of tone and voice.

A helpful index

I love this audio version of the Tales, but without an index it can be frustrating to locate a particular tale. I'm a teacher, and like to have students listen to excerpts. I didn't complete the times for all of the tales, but hopefully what I provide here will save another teacher a lot of time.

Canterbury Tales Bookmarks on Audible edition

Part I

General Prologue, Part I to 46:20

Knight's Tale, Part I 46:25-- 2:51:52

Miller's Tale, Part I 2:52:03-- 3:30

Reeve's Tale, 3:30-- 3:55

Cook's Tale, 3:55-- 4:06

Lawyer's Tale, 4:06-- 4:57

Sailor's Tale, 4:57-- 5:23

Prioress' Tale, 5:23-- 5:39

Sir Thopas, 5:39-- 5:50

Melibee, 5:50-- 7:49

Part II

Monk, 00-- 48.56

Nun's Priest, 49:00-- 1:25:46

Epilogue 1:25:46 - 1:26.41

Physician, 1:26-- 1:42:13

Words of Host to Physician and Pardoner, 1:42:23-- 1:45

Pardoner, 1:45-- 2:18

Wife of Bath, 2:18-- 3:32:54

Friar 3:32:56 --

Summoner

Clerk

Merchant

Part III

Squire, 00-- 32:21 (unfinished)

Host to Squire and Franklin, 32:22-- 34:15

Franklin, 34:15-- 1:18:33

Second Nun's Tale, 1:18:33

Canon's Yeoman

Manciple

Parson

Here the Maker, 6:19-- 6:21:50

Perfect for grad students

I purchased this audiobook to listen to as I read the Tales in Middle English for a graduate level seminar in Chaucer. Listening to this translation brought a deeper level of understanding to my studies. The translators' voices and tones fit perfectly with the tales they related.

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Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray

Author: Oscar Wilde

Narrator: Simon Prebble

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-12-08

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1551 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Oscar Wilde brings his enormous gifts for astute social observation and sparkling prose to

The Picture of Dorian Gray, the dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This dandy, who remains forever unchanged---petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral---while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years, has been horrifying and enchanting readers for more than 100 years. Taking the reader in and out of London drawing rooms, to the heights of aestheticism, and to the depths of decadence,

The Picture of Dorian Gray is not simply a melodrama about moral corruption. Laced with bon mots and vivid depictions of upper-class refinement, it is also a fascinating look at the milieu of Wilde's fin-de-siècle world and a manifesto of the creed "Art for Art's Sake."The ever-quotable Wilde, who once delighted London with his scintillating plays, scandalized readers with this, his only novel. Upon publication, Dorian was condemned as dangerous, poisonous, stupid, vulgar, and immoral, and Wilde as a "driveling pedant." The novel, in fact, was used against Wilde at his much-publicized trials for "gross indecency," which led to his imprisonment and exile on the European continent. Even so,

The Picture of Dorian Gray firmly established Wilde as one of the great voices of the Aesthetic movement and endures as a classic that is as timeless as its hero.

Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor

Editorial Reviews:

Oscar Wildes classic endures with its gems of astute observation and cynical wit. The eerie story follows a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty in the form of a supernatural portrait. Life's mysterious paradoxes are laced throughout Lord Henry's brilliant aphorisms. Gray is urged by Henry to "love the wonderful life that is in you." The novel's qualities are mired in decadence, "art for art's sake," the new hedonism of the Victorian-era upper class, and societal moral corruption. Simon Prebble perfectly achieves Lord Henry's "low, languid voice" and sparkling conversation, while avidly expressing the other characters' more torrid emotions. Prebble brings the fable's gothic horror to life, but the more youthful characters lack believable intonation.

Members Reviews:

This Should be Next In Your Library, Period

What made the experience of listening to The Picture of Dorian Gray the most enjoyable?

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a stunningly beautiful book, among my very favourites. I had not read it for many years when I stumbled upon this performance of it, and it has instantly rocketed to the top of the "Top 10" list in my Audible library.

This cautionary, "be careful what you wish for" tale contains many of Oscar Wilde's most celebrated lines, including my personal favourite, "There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." Beautiful-but-outrageous dialogue like this brings a lightness and some comedy to this otherwise sad story.

I'm not sure if I've ever given 5 stars across the board before, but this performance of this wonderful book is surely deserving of it. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Which character as performed by Simon Prebble was your favorite?

Prebble gives a near-perfect performance.

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Title: Oliver Twist

Author: Charles Dickens

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-29-08

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 633 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Rife with Dickens' disturbing descriptions of street life, the novel is buoyed by the purity of the orphan Oliver. Though he is treated with cruelty and surrounded by coarseness for most of his life, his pious innocence leads him at last to salvation - and the shocking discovery of his true identity.

Members Reviews:

Amazing narration!

I had never read Oliver Twist and found it to be the most heartwrenching and loving story, both at the same time. What truly amazed me was the narrator, his skill in how he had such completely different voices for each character, it was like listening to a play, not just one person. I highly recommend this book to anyone, even if they have already read the book.

Shows why Dickens is MASTER of the social novel

It is hard to exit the original worlds created by Dickens. I usually manage it crying like a baby. Oliver Twist is top shelf storytelling. The characters are amazing. The setting is perfect. The plot manages to throw out hundreds of threads and ties them all together at the end, while never losing or boring the reader.

Weakness? This is probably nit picking, but the story seems to work out too well in the end. Don't get me wrong, I know this is a social novel and FICTION, but I guess I just have a little bit of an issue with the whole melodramatic end, with every shoe finding a foot and every evil getting a noose. Other than that, Dickens shows with 'Oliver Twist' why is/was the master and the giant of the social novel.

Simon Vance, as always, delivers a solid narration.

Dickens + Simon Vance = Divine

Oliver Twist is the second novel by Dickens. He was a writer with a huge social conscience, and has a great deal to say with this book. It is as though Dickens has written his heart directly onto the pages. While I find some of it melodramatic and overwritten, the minutely-drawn characters, plot, writing and feeling are more than worth a few wordy passages. It's a deeply affecting story.

Simon Vance, as usual, inhabits the characters and simply becomes the book. He has a tough line to walk here; the book is an intense plea from the heart, and the narrator could easily overdo it. Vance voices not only the characters but Dickens himself, and his tone is perfect. Slight quibble: I didn't like his voicing of Rose, but that's the only negative I can come up with. It's a marvelous performance of a wonderful book.

A Beautiful Classic

I read this book last when I was about 10 years old, which is to say 30 years or so ago. I had forgotten how exciting it was to be Oliver hoping to escape, praying to find a way to get back to those few who showed some kindness. You are drawn into the characters and find yourself on pins and needles to find out the fates of the characters. You cant wait to see Sykes get his desserts. You want Faegen to get his too. But most of all you want Oliver to find peace and really know it would last.

Charles Dickens is the man

Ive seen many movies based on this book and never got the full story. So, I decided because it was on sale with Audible that Id grab it. Im glad I did. I had to resist looking up the story line online and it was worth it. It is said that Charles Dickens used to walk the streets of London at night because he couldnt sleep. He saw some orphans being mistreated and came up with this story. Based on the time it was amazing that he came up with it at all.

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Title: Robinson Crusoe

Author: Daniel Defoe

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-22-08

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 874 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Crusoe and Friday share in a variety of adventures, including a fierce battle with cannibals that culminates in the heroes recapturing a mutinous ship and returning to England.

Based partly on the real-life experiences of Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, Defoe's novel of human endurance in an exotic, faraway land exerts a timeless appeal and has taken its rightful place among the great works of Western civilization.

Critic Reviews:

"[One of the few books] 'written by mere man that was wished longer by its readers.'" (Samuel Johnson)

Members Reviews:

True classic

I have just read this book at the age of 61. I don't think I read it as a child. This is a classic. It seems to me it was written for reading to chldren in a Pre-television era when reading books to children was in vogue. It still should be but I doubt many do it. It is a good adventure story but the thing that makes it somewhat unusual is how full of moral teaching it contains which would be geared at children. Morals such as making the best of what you have, being thankful for what you have, trusting God to provide for you, etc. are deeply carved into the story. As I approach my grandfather years I will remember this book and see if there will be some way to read it to my grandchildren.

They're "The Classics" for a Reason

I listened after reading 40 years ago and it was everything I remembered it to be! The insights into the period of the days of exploration provide a vivid understanding of what life was like in those days. The narrator was excellent and the story superb! You've always heard about it...now listen!

A Must Read for Everyone

This book was in our family library when I was a child, and I am so sorry that I have waited far too many years to read this piece of classic literature. It was even better than I had anticipated, knowing that it was so highly revered. I would recommend to anyone that it deserves a read (listen) if, for no other reason, than to fully understand so many of today's references to this wonderful story. However, there are so many other reasons to listen to it. It was exciting, interesting, harrowing, and incredibly well written. The ingenuity of Robin is absolutely fascinating, and the author's descriptions of how he makes do on this island are more than impressive. The writing style was incredibly easy to take in, even when one considers how long ago it was penned, and how different the vernacular was then. Do not think for one minute that this is a staid work of dry English literature. It was as easy to understand as something written in our own time, and as exciting as our thrillers. Wonderful narrator, too. Do yourself a favor and, if you haven't already, immerse yourself in this great adventure. I would liken it to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. If you have enjoyed that book, then you will love this. And if you haven't read Verne's novel, I would recommend for that to be the next download if you enjoy Robinson Crusoe

Excellent

This was great. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator was very good and made "ye olde english" very understandable.

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Title: Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass

Author: Lewis Carroll

Narrator: Cindy Hardin Killavey

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-15-08

Publisher: Jimcin Recordings

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 67 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

That afternoon changed childhood for generations to come as Carrol displayed his incredible talent for mathematical paradox and for creating a charming and significant nonsense world.

Members Reviews:

Fun to listen to!

A favorite since childhood! I've read the book many times, watched all the different movies, but this was my first time listening to it.

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Title: The Count of Monte Cristo

Author: Alexandre Dumas

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 46 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-17-08

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6278 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Dashing young Edmond Dantès has everything: a fine reputation, an appointment as captain of a ship, and the heart of a beautiful woman. But his perfect life is shattered when three jealous friends conspire to destroy him. Falsely accused of a political crime, Dantès is locked away for life in the infamous Chateau d'If prison. But it is there that Dantès learns of a vast hidden treasure. After 14 years of hopeless imprisonment, Dantès makes his daring escape and follows his secret map to untold fortune. Disguised now as the mysterious and powerful Count of Monte Cristo, Dantès seeks out his enemies - and nothing will stand in the way of his just revenge.

Filled with thrilling episodes of betrayal, romance, and revenge, The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the greatest adventure stories ever written.

Members Reviews:

A true Time-machine

At first I didn't want to write a review because so many have done that before me.

But I just can't help myself from expressing what this book did to me.

It is not only a story that transports you instantly back to a very interesting and tumultuous time in European history, but its also a story that is very confined to a specific group of people.

It is a story that has it all, love, romance, grief, hate, envy and on and on... The length of the book seems like to much of a commitment, but when I finished it I was sad that it had ended.

It was a joy to listen to John Lee's voice which took me back to Europe and to places I have wandered endlessly, he gives all characters their own identity and makes you forget that its a book and not a dream or fantasy your in the middle of experiencing.

If you are thinking about reading a classic or just want to check out Dumas... Read this book, it is like one of those dreams that you hope will never end.

What a pleasure to read a classic!

I have "meant" to read this book for many years, but the length seemed daunting and the language stilted, at least by 21st century terms. What a mistake it would have been to miss it! After a little "attitude adjustment", I found the flowery language elegant and fascinating and the character development is superb. One can only marvel at the decades-long plan that The Count, Edmund Dantes, has carefully set in motion to serve as suitable revenge for those whose greed and self-interest caused him to spend 14 long years in a dungeon. This review relates to the whole book, not just Part I, but each section was a new adventure and looking back, you can see how Dumas has not wasted a character or scene that does not justify the plot and the outcome. Yes, there are some slower sections (characters, in accordance with the era, sometimes take 30 words to say what could be said in 5), but overall I found myself wanting to get back into the car or back on to the plane as soon as possible. It is a bit like watching "Masterpiece Theater"--not for everyone or every taste, but it's not an acknowledged masterpiece for nothing. And excellent narration.

Fantastic Story

I have listened to this four times now and love it more each time. The plot twists, intense emoting and descriptive language made this a book I repeatedly found myself standing motionless in the middle of the room, seeing what the author wrote instead of the room around me. Totally engrossing.

The narrator, too, read it so passionately that it totally draws me in every time.

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Title: To the Lighthouse

Author: Virginia Woolf

Narrator: Juliet Stevenson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-08

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 477 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

To the Lighthouse is a landmark work of English fiction. Virginia Woolf explores perception and meaning in some of the most beautiful prose ever written, minutely detailing the characters thoughts and impressions. This unabridged version is read by Juliet Stevenson.

Critic Reviews:

"British actress Juliet Stevenson makes for a better reader of Woolf's words than Nicole Kidman's Oscar-winning turn as Woolf in The Hours...Her reading is quietly, carefully precise, and that precision is a solid complement to Woolf's own measured, inward-looking prose." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

A Stark Tower on a Bare Rock, or a Hanging Garden?

On the surface not much happens in Virginia Woolf's semi-autobiographical modernist masterpiece To the Lighthouse (1929). In Part I: The Window, Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay (based on Woolf's own parents), their eight children, and several guests are vacationing at the Ramsays' summer house on the Isle of Skye in the early 20th century. Mrs. Ramsay, a meddling and kind fifty-year-old Greek-goddess, goes to town on errands, reads a fairy tale to her youngest child James, knits a stocking, presides over a dinner, communes without words with her husband, and holds the different people in the house together with the gravity of her charisma. Mr. Ramsay, an eccentric philosopher-academic, carries on with egotism, insecurity, and emotional tyranny. James' desire to visit the local lighthouse is thwarted by his father and the weather. Mr. Charles Tansley, an uptight disciple of Mr. Ramsay, asserts himself charmlessly. The somnolent and cat-eyed poet Mr. Carmichael reclines on the lawn. And independent, Chinese-eyed and pucker-faced Lily Briscoe works on a painting of Mrs. Ramsay and James and critically contemplates the family. In Part II: Time Passes, the forces of entropy besiege the house as it stands empty of people for ten years. And in Part III: The Lighthouse, Mr. Ramsay coerces his two youngest children--now moody teenagersto accompany him to the lighthouse while Lily Briscoe--who partly represents Woolf herself as a writer--comes to terms with her feelings for Mrs. Ramsay as she tries to capture her vision in the painting she'd attempted ten years earlier.

Woolf is so good at sympathetically and honestly exposing people's minds and so good at revealing the beautiful and awful world we live in, and her writing is so beautiful, flowing, controlled, and poetic, that spending only a couple days with her characters is an indelibly rich experience. She employs a modernist stream of consciousness narration, and fluidly moves from one character to another. Her technique in the novel has been likened to that of the lighthouse beam moving across the benighted island world, briefly illuminating one mind and then another as it goes round, but Woolf's narration feels more organic than that. I relish her long, elegant sentences comprised of multiple clauses attached by semi-colons, her original and vivid metaphors, and her insights into human nature in a variety of vessels (male, female, old, young, educated, simple, etc.). I expected To the Lighthouse to be beautiful, philosophical, and sad, and it was, but I was surprised by its constant humor.