Download the Best Full Audiobooks in Classics, American Literature

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Title: The Grapes of Wrath

Author: John Steinbeck

Narrator: Dylan Baker

Format: Unabridged

Length: 21 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-15-11

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5028 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of the Great Depression, a book that galvanizedand sometimes outragedmillions of readers.

At once naturalistic epic, captivity narrative, road novel, and transcendental gospel, Steinbeck's, The Grapes of Wrath is perhaps the most American of American classics. Although it follows the movement of thousands of men and women and the transformation of an entire nation during the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s, The Grapes of Wrath is also the story of one Oklahoma farm family, the Joads, who are driven off their homestead and forced to travel west to the promised land of California. From their trials and their repeated collisions against the hard realities of this new America, Steinbeck creates a drama that is intensely human yet majestic in its scale and moral vision, tragic but ultimately stirring in its insistence on human dignity.

Members Reviews:

Every Character a Gem!

What made the experience of listening to The Grapes of Wrath the most enjoyable?

I felt as if I lived the pain and the sorrow of The Joad family. In this trek from Oklahoma to California i traveled and suffered with these people. The way Steinbeck weaved hope, despair and the struggle of the human spirit for something better into this story places him in a class by himself

What other book might you compare The Grapes of Wrath to and why?

Night by Elie Wiesel, The Canterbury Tales, The Painted Bird

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the introduction of Tom Joad. When the trucker picked him up and started to talk to him he knew right away he was being sized up. Having just been released from prison, he was edgy, truthful and proud and wasn't going to be looked down upon. The dialogue and characterization in this scene brought his character to life as the hopeful hero.

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

From start to finish each one of the characters, because they were so well formed and realistic, evoked empathy but never to the point of pity. Every character bore their share of hardship. You walk away from this experience feeling stronger for having been in their company. These were people to be admired.

Wish I could give it 10 stars!

I don't give many 5 star ratings. I listen to too many books to be impressed by many of them but I honestly wish I could give both this book and this narrator 10 stars. They were perfectly matched and I did not want this story to end.

Like most people of my generation (mid 60's), I read this book in high school and found it boring and didn't like it at all. It is wasted on the young who haven't faced any hardships in life yet and they can't possibly understand the impact of it's lessons.

But now when I listen to it I can feel the dust in my throat and the bugs biting my skin and the heat beating down on me. I know the pain of the parents watching their children starve and the humiliation of the men , especially, who could not take care of their families.

And, I could see how we as a country are starting to repeat those same mistakes that culminated in the massive poverty of the majority of Americans in those years.

This is a must read for all adults.

Wonderful Tale Punctuated with Loud Harmonic Licks

Would you listen to The Grapes of Wrath again? Why?

Yes, the story is wonderful. The narrator is excellent and does a great job with all the character voices.

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Title: East of Eden

Author: John Steinbeck

Narrator: Richard Poe

Format: Unabridged

Length: 25 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-15-11

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5555 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This sprawling and often brutal novel, set in the rich farmlands of California's Salinas Valley, follows the intertwined destinies of two families - the Trasks and the Hamiltons - whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel.

Members Reviews:

This Drama Prepares You for Life

East of Eden, by John Steinbeck, and narrated by Richard Poe. A journey into youths tortured parental burdens. I saw the movie decades ago yet, as I read the story the scenes came back to me in vivid recollections. That movie did justice to the book, because it was brilliantly directed, magnificently filmed, and just the best acting ever seen.

Somehow I have only managed to read three of Steinbecks works. The Grapes of Wrath and Travels with Charley in Search of America. The first read was Travels, at about fourteen and I did myself wrong. Travels bored me. Then I read Grapes of Wrath and thought, no author could involve me more in his story than Steinbeck. No story could have more enthralling characters, no story could be so moving, and no author could teach me more about life. That was until I read East of Eden. Wikipedia reports Steinbeck as saying, "It has everything in it I have been able to learn about my craft or profession in all these years." He further claimed: "I think everything else I have written has been, in a sense, practice for this." He understates how its excellence as entertainment and enlightenment.

Steinbecks East of Eden is perfect tragedy. A form of drama, a story of human conflicts, based on human suffering that invokes an accompanying catharsis is the reader/listener. There are a plethora of human evils here to examine, and then to consider how it is we cause torture on one another.

Why should one commit themselves to such torment? Because life is conflict and resolution, about compelling actions and reactions, and discovery of the nature of man and hope that it will assist us in our confrontations with other human beings. Perhaps even give us an advantage in the next encounter with evil or appreciate the next encounter with love.

Steinbeck will teach you to be prepared.

American classic, not to be missed.

East of Eden has to be one of the finest books every written by an American author. Over the years, I've read it about four times -- this was my first listen. Every time I read it again, I saw new things, new connections, new nuggets of insight I hadn't seen before -- this time, listening to it, that happened again. I lived for many years in Steinbeck country -- Pacific Grove, Monterey County -- so among the things I loved were the achingly beautiful descriptions of the countryside, the people, the farmers. A hundred years have passed, but many things in the Salinas Valley haven't changed -- it's still the "Salad Bowl" of the US, so when Adam Trask tries to ship lettuce to the east coast, that's probably based on a real story. I loved the tales of Salinas' early days, with the whorehouses, the churches, women wearing gloves - or not. (Come to think of it, there probably stilll are whorehouses there too) All in all, it's just a magnificent family saga, in every way. Makes you laugh, makes you cry.

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Title: The Jungle

Author: Upton Sinclair

Narrator: Grover Gardner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-17-11

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 820 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Here is the dramatic exposé of the Chicago meatpacking industry at the turn of the century that prompted an investigation by Theodore Roosevelt, which culminated in the pure-food legislation of 1906.

The Jungle is the story of Jurgis Rudkus, a Slavic immigrant who marries frail Ona Lukoszaite and seeks security and happiness as a workman in the Chicago stockyards. Once there, he is abused by foremen, his meager savings are filched by real-estate sharks, and at every turn he is plagued by the misfortunes arising from poverty, poor working conditions, and disease. Finally, in accordance with Sinclairs own creed, Rudkus turns to socialism as a way out.

Critic Reviews:

The most famous, influential, and enduring of all muckraking novels." (Merriam Websters Encyclopedia of Literature)

Members Reviews:

Real. Revolutionary. Powerful.

Even though Upton Sinclair wrote this book primarily to improve the poor man's working conditions, it mostly changed the food industry of America, and bills were passed after its publication to regulate cleaner practices of preparing food in mass quantities. Though the characters of this story are fictional, they are based on the lives of real people, and the treacherous Packing Town did commit the horrors Sinclair writes about. This story is a beautiful, tragic story that no one should take lightly, for it has deeply impacted the health of all U.S. citizens.

Simply a Great Listen

The Jungle is simply a classic that everyone needs to listen to! The story of this family coming to America with a heart full of dreams only to see their dreams taken away from them by the unfairness and cruelty of the world.

Although I don't particularly agree with the blatant socialist agenda of the author, I did really enjoy the book. It is well narrated and extremely well written. Its simply one of those books that makes you feel like the author is implanting images directly into your head, giving you a vivid picture of the entire setting.

Public Domain Version

"The Jungle" is my favorite 20th century novel of all time. I enjoyed this book when I first listen to it and enjoyed it more for the second time. Upton Sinclair was a very wicked man. Maybe he didn't like Russians or maybe he was trying to make a statement that the American Dream wasn't for all. Whatever the reasons for this book, it is the most powerful story that I have ever heard.

Many immigrants that comes to America for a better life, but they struggle to make it day by day. They might not be working at the meat packing industry is hard condition like in the book, but we have day labors, trying to feed their family by hanging out at Home Depot in hope to find work for the day. And what about the field workers that picks our crops for pennies by the piece, how are they any different from Jurgis, pan handling or getting odd end jobs?.

Many readers focus too much on the meat packing section in the book, but there is a social statement that is being left behind. Much like today, in the Western society, it is very difficult for someone without wealth to make it. Unless they are highly educated or have a wealthy uncle back in their country, they will always be struggling and falling behind.

As for multiple copies on Audible with different performers reading this classic, there is no one better than Grover Gardner's version. I've listened to this version twice.

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Title: Classic Joseph Conrad and Henry James Dramas Starring Ralph Richardson, Volume 2

Author: Theatre Royal, Henry James

Narrator: Ralph Richardson

Format: Original Recording

Length: 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-25-11

Publisher: Heritage Media Ltd

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Fully restored and remastered, Heritage Media presents the greatest of vintage artists in classic dramas of the early Americas. Here is the legendary Ralph Richardson starring in The Liar and 'Four Meetings' adapted from the original story by Henry James.

Theatre Royal is a unique series of classic radio dramas produced in the 1950's by the late Harry Alan Towers. Starring the leading theatre artists of the day it is the only series of radio dramas in which Laurence Olivier ever appeared. He was joined by Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, Orson Welles, Robert Morley, John Mills, Michael Redgrave, Trevor Howard, Robert Donut, Alec Guinness and Margaret Lockwood

Over the Years, Theatre Royal has received a glittering array of accolades, including: vivid, tense, and compressed.( Classic radio)

Great fun to listen to and, as radio history, they are unsurpassed. (Sunday Telegraph)

Voices like these justify the Golden Days tag. We won't hear their like again. (Sunday Times)

A must for archive fans. The excitement of vintage radio drama with strong storylines. (Radio Times)

Editorial Reviews:

From the golden age of radio drama, these vintage performances feature Theatre Royal's ensemble cast, led by eloquent English actor Ralph Richardson, and a lushly orchestrated soundtrack. Henry James' "The Liar" follows a portrait painter reunited with a former lover, now married to a self-aggrandizing colonel with a penchant for lies. Hoping to reclaim his love, the painter sets out to capture the essence of the sham marriage via a brutally honest portrait of the colonel, thereby forcing his wife to choose between her morals and affections. "Four Meetings" introduces simple New England schoolteacher Caroline Spencer, saving her meager earnings so she might one day travel Europe. Spencer's dreams are tested by a manipulative family member in this tale of hard work and fleeting opportunity.

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Title: Classic American Dramas Starring Laurence Olivier, Volume 1

Author: Theatre Royal, H. G. Wells, Herman Melville

Narrator: Laurence Olivier

Format: Original Recording

Length: 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-22-11

Publisher: Heritage Media Ltd

Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Fully restored and remastered, Heritage Media presents the greatest of vintage artists in classic dramas of the early Americas. Here is the legendary Laurence Olivier starring in The Country of the Blind, adapted from the original tale by H. G. Wells and Bartelby adapted by Herman Melville.

Theatre Royal is a unique series of classic radio dramas produced in the 1950s by the late Harry Alan Towers. Starring the leading theatre artists of the day it is the only series of radio dramas in which Laurence Olivier ever appeared. He was joined by Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, Orson Welles, Robert Morley, John Mills, Michael Redgrave, Trevor Howard, Robert Donut, Alec Guinness and Margaret Lockwood.

Over the Years, Theatre Royal has received a glittering array of accolades, including: vivid, tense, and compressed.( Classic radio)

Craft, like character, ages well.(Daily Telegraph)

Great fun to listen to and, as radio history, they are unsurpassed. (Sunday Telegraph)

Voices like these justify the Golden Days tag. We won't hear their like again. (Sunday Times)

A must for archive fans. The excitement of vintage radio drama with strong storylines. (Radio Times.)

Editorial Reviews:

Laurence Olivier's voice is absolutely engaging - warm and golden, from a golden age of radio drama. In this classic audiobook, he performs classic works of literature including stories by Herman Melville and H. G. Wells. Olivier gives each of his characters distinct and dynamic voices, and moves between them with perfect fluidity. Accompanied with big-band music and old-school sound effects, this audiobook is pure enjoyment, combined with some of the most beautiful and important stories of all time.

Members Reviews:

GOOD OLD FASHIONED RADIO The AMERICAN WAY

If you could sum up Classic American Dramas Starring Laurence Olivier, Volume 1 in three words, what would they be?

Typical Hollywood Greats.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Too good to make favourites.

What does Laurence Olivier bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book?

Olivier was the typical old style classic actor who could have made eating a mornings cerial breakfast seem the most triumphant food of the day. That strong archaic rich full voice brought drama to the most undramatic and he did it in that unique Olivier way, and I have yet to discover what that was.

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

No more emotional than any other.

Any additional comments?

These are good stories from the past. If you like old fashioned 'American ear splitting drama' these are a great listen now and again. The sound is obviously of the era and nothing like the clarity we have today, which for me, adds to why I like this classic collection.

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Title: Classic English and Irish Dramas Starring Ralph Richardson and Margaret Lockwood, Volume 2

Subtitle: Volume 2

Author: Theatre Royal, H.G. Wells, Herman Melville

Narrator: Laurence Olivier

Format: Original Recording

Length: 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-22-11

Publisher: Heritage Media Ltd

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Fully restored and remastered, Heritage Media presents the greatest of vintage artists in classic dramas from English and Irish Literature. Here is the legendary Ralph Richardson starring in A Sentimental Journey, adapted from the original tale by Laurence Sterne and the legendary Margaret Lockwood starring in 'Becky Sharpe' adapted from Vanity Fair, the original tale by William Makepeace Thackeray. Theatre Royal is a unique series of classic radio dramas produced in the 1950's by the late Harry Alan Towers. Starring the leading theatre artists of the day it is the only series of radio dramas in which Laurence Olivier ever appeared. He was joined by Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, Orson Welles, Robert Morley, John Mills, Michael Redgrave, Trevor Howard, Robert Donut, Alec Guinness and Margaret Lockwood.

Over the Years, Theatre Royal has received a glittering array of accolades, including: vivid, tense, and compressed.( Classic radio)

Great fun to listen to and, as radio history, they are unsurpassed. (Sunday Telegraph)

Voices like these justify the Golden Days tag. We won't hear their like again. (Sunday Times)

A must for archive fans. The excitement of vintage radio drama with strong storylines. (Radio Times.)

Editorial Reviews:

Recorded during the golden age of radio, Classic English and Irish Dramas is a remastered collection of classic radio dramas that boasts the kind of virtuoso audio performance rarely heard on radio since. This particular volume features Ralph Richardson in "A Sentimental Journey", and Margaret Lockwood in "Becky Sharpe", but listeners will also be intrigued by the supporting cast, which includes a performance from Laurence Olivier (his only radio drama appearance), as well as Orson Welles, Michael Redgrave, Alec Guinness, and others. Beautiful radio voices and stellar performances will make listeners nostalgic for the days when radio plays enthralled families on a nightly basis.

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Title: Classic Joseph Conrad and Henry James Dramas starring Ralph Richardson, Volume 1

Author: Theatre Royal, Joseph Conrad, Henry James

Narrator: Ralph Richardson

Format: Original Recording

Length: 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-22-11

Publisher: Heritage Media Ltd

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Fully restored and remastered, Heritage Media presents the greatest of vintage artists in classic dramas of the early Americas. Here is the legendary Ralph Richardson starring in The Tale and 'The Black Mate' adapted from the original story by Joseph Conrad and The Aspern Papers adapted from the original story by Henry James.

Theatre Royal is a unique series of classic radio dramas produced in the 1950's by the late Harry Alan Towers. Starring the leading theatre artists of the day it is the only series of radio dramas in which Laurence Olivier ever appeared. He was joined by Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, Orson Welles, Robert Morley, John Mills, Michael Redgrave, Trevor Howard, Robert Donut, Alec Guinness and Margaret Lockwood.

Over the Years, Theatre Royal has received a glittering array of accolades, including: vivid, tense, and compressed.( Classic radio)

Great fun to listen to and, as radio history, they are unsurpassed. (Sunday Telegraph)

Voices like these justify the Golden Days tag. We won't hear their like again. (Sunday Times)

A must for archive fans. The excitement of vintage radio drama with strong storylines. (Radio Times.)

Editorial Reviews:

Fans of James singular writing style will enjoy listening to Classic Joseph Conrad and Henry James Dramas Starring Ralph Richardson, Volume 2 from Heritage Media, Ltd. In his stories James depicted life in recognizable ways. His protagonists always labor to discover the truths of fellow characters. This volume is excerpted from the Theatre Royal radio drama series recorded in the 1950s. In this series renowned actors read dramatic works showcasing the culture of early America. Trained actor Ralph Richardson uses his resounding and arch voice to act out adaptations of two works by James. In "The Liar" a woman rejects an honest man and marries a liar. In "Four Meetings" a man meets the same woman four times in his life, and each time learns of her difficult, changing circumstances.

Members Reviews:

audio quality is out of date

What would have made Classic Joseph Conrad and Henry James Dramas starring Ralph Richardson, Volume 1 better?

Be prepared to put up with a lot of 1940s-50s radio audio quality, if you can. These playlets do not translate well to what a modern listener expects, in terms of listenability. The actors and actresss were excellent but the technology to record them was not. I'd say this recording is for old-time-radio fans only.

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Title: Tortilla Flat

Author: John Steinbeck

Narrator: John McDonough

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-13-11

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 313 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Adopting the structure and themes of the Arthurian legend, Steinbeck created a Camelot on a shabby hillside above the town of Monterey, California, and peopled it with a colorful band of knights. At the center of the tale is Danny, whose house, like Arthurs castle, becomes a gathering place for men looking for adventure, camaraderie, and a sense of belongingmen who fiercely resist the corrupting tide of honest toil and civil rectitude.

As Steinbeck chronicles their deedstheir multiple lovers, their wonderful brawls, their Rabelaisian wine-drinkinghe spins a tale as compelling and ultimately as touched by sorrow as the famous legends of the Round Table, which inspired him.

Members Reviews:

A Good Book

If you could sum up Tortilla Flat in three words, what would they be?

A continuation of life in Monterey albeit at a later time - post war era - and in a different venue from Cannery Row. A study in assumptions, ethnicity, allegiance, dependency and fate .... not necessarily in that order ... with a little mystery thrown in for good measure.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked the Pirate. I had no difficulty at all imagining his collection of dogs, his style of life that wasn't terribly different from theirs, and his unassuming nature and gratitude for the little he had.

Which character as performed by John McDonough was your favorite?

I suspect most readers would select either Pilon or Danny but, I enjoyed the humanity reflected in Big Joe Portugee more. Simple and direct in his thought process, sometimes entirely logical and others entirely illogical in his approach to solving many of life's problems, he reminded me of a gentle giant, someone easy to like and yet, not quite.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I think it might have been when Danny's second house burned to the ground and Pilon and the group decided to move in with Danny in his first house. The sheer audacity of their thought process reminded me of too many times when I've seen kindness taken complete and total advantage of.

Any additional comments?

I liked the book but not as much as Cannery Row or Sweet Thursday. It just seemed to lack a definitive story line I could look forward to following. Perhaps if I'd listened while sipping on wine .... hmmm ... yes, that would have done it!

Different study of Steinbeck

If you could sum up Tortilla Flat in three words, what would they be?

Interesting - a negative sterio-type of Mexicans in America

What could John Steinbeck have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Nothing - really - maybe a disclamer to say this isn't really what Mexicans are like.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the baby was dying and they didn't even realize it or really seem to care.

another great book by steinbeck!

Would you listen to Tortilla Flat again? Why?

yes! yes! i love the characters. reminds me very much of cannery row

What did you like best about this story?

the humor.the characters were great. i could picture these people interacting.

What about John McDonoughs performance did you like?

really wonderful! he did a great job getting into the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the way everything always boiled down to a gallon of wine.

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Title: Cannery Row

Author: John Steinbeck

Narrator: Jerry Farden

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-13-11

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1208 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Here is Steinbecks tough yet charming portrait of people on the margins of society, dependent on one another for both physical and emotional survival.

Published in 1945, Cannery Row focuses on the acceptance of life as it is: both the exuberance of community and the loneliness of the individual. Drawing on his memories of the real inhabitants of Monterey, California, Steinbeck interweaves the stories of Doc, Henri, Mack and his boys, and the other characters in this world, where only the fittest survive, to create a novel that is at once one of his most humorous and most poignant works.

Members Reviews:

Five stars with a Caveat

Cannery Row is one of my favorite books of all time. I have read and reread it more times than I can recall. I bought this audiobook out of curiosity, I wanted to hear the words for a change. Jerry Farden's narrative perfectly captures not only Steinbeck's love of his Cannery Row characters and sense of community, but his lyrical language as well.

Which is the reason I recommend reading Cannery Row before listening to it. No narrator can show you the odd punctuation and mystifying strings of words Steinbeck so lovingly assembled in this book, which I think of as his 'ode to the English language'. It quite simply deserves a leisurely reading.

Once read, I do recommend listening to Mr. Farden's joyful interpretation of this wonderful story.

Oh, How I Miss The Monterrey Peninsula!

I was really excited to listen to Steinbeck's Cannery Row and I was not disappointed; albeit, I am a bit conflicted. Previously I listened to Of Mice and Men and comparing the two (especially with Gary Sinese as narrator of the later) I enjoyed Of Mice and Men so much more. However, Steinbeck's words in both are invigorating and descriptive; I didn't want to stop hearing from the characters and their respective points of view.

Cannery Row, as far as a captivating story, isn't really that much to praise. But I enjoyed every bit of it and just like Of Mice and Men, the character's follies and environmental descriptions are where Steinbeck rules. It's really a simple and sweet story, yet is still emotionally impacting for the listener.

I was able to listen at 3x speed without any problem.

Great Listen to a Classic Steinbeck

Steinbeck builds characters that you fall in love with and then struggle to support as they drift into trouble; usually of their own making. The story is about respect and how people on Cannery Row have lives devoid of meaning apart from place and time. They are not people like me, yet they are every part of my life experience. Doc is the main character, a man with a solid education, job and place in the world of marine biology. Yet he is empty in places that Steinbeck is able to reveal and describe.

Mack and the Boys are everywhere and add spice to the community on Cannery Row. They want to express gratitude for Doc and make a mess of things. Steinbeck takes us through the slow motion disaster of a party and builds tension as we wait for Doc to return home to the destruction Mack and the Boys created.

The narrator does a nice job of giving voice to people who we can only try to imagine from the words on the page as they share their story of respect, loneliness and community.

If you like Steinbeck this short book will not disappoint.

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Title: Of Mice and Men

Author: John Steinbeck

Narrator: Gary Sinese

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-13-11

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3859 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Steinbecks tale of commitment, loneliness, hope, and loss remains one of Americas most widely read and beloved novels.

While the powerlessness of the laboring class is a recurring theme in Steinbecks work of the late 1930s, he narrowed his focus when composing Of Mice and Men (1937), creating an intimate portrait of two men facing a world marked by petty tyranny, misunderstanding, jealousy, and callousness. But though the scope is narrow, the theme is universal: a friendship and shared dream that make an individuals existence meaningful.

Of Mice and Men also represents an experiment in form, which Steinbeck described as a kind of playable novel, written in a novel form but so scened and set that it can be played as it stands. A rarity in American letters, it achieved remarkable success as a novel, a Broadway play, and three acclaimed films.

Members Reviews:

Ignorance is Bliss

Loved the book, loved the movie and now I can say I love the audio book version as well! I knew this was a great, touching story already but Sinise as the narrator really impressed me. He does a great job with all of the voices and I can't wait to listen to more books by him. It also helped that he is also one of the stars in the movie itself. Indeed this is such a great story and just so sad at the end. Definitely a classic and I would certainly recommend this title to anyone who has yet to read/listen to it.

KETCHUP

IF I WAS A RELATIVE OF YOURS I WOULD SHOOT MYSELF

Steinbeck is America. He almost always writes about the down trodden and gives them a voice, makes them real to us, makes us care. When my boys were growing up, I made them spend some time reading in the summer and I made them read Steinbeck among others. Today they are in their 30's and they are readers. My one son really liked Red Pony. I read most of his stuff before joining audible, but I am looking forward to relistening. .

I THINK CURLY MARRIED A TART

Western fiction readers will also enjoy this book, as it is about hands going from ranch to ranch looking for work.

GEORGE, TELL AGAIN ABOUT THE RABBITS.

Sinese is an excellent narrator.

Gary Sinise is Amazing. Excellent!

Would you consider the audio edition of Of Mice and Men to be better than the print version?

The audio is better. Gary Sinise really makes the characters come alive. You feel like you are in the room with them.

What did you like best about this story?

Just the whole thing. It's like watching a car heading to a ditch and you just so want to stop it but you know you can't.

Have you listened to any of Gary Sinises other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the only book I have heard by Gary Sinise. He WAS George and Lenny. Truly amazing.

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

I did listen to the entire book in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

Must buy. Very good story, very good performance.

Great Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, a good quick read of a classic.

Who was your favorite character and why?

George. He was a compassionate and loyal friend to Lenny.

Have you listened to any of Gary Sinises other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but I would like to listen to more. He was a terrific reader.

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

I laughed and cried.