Listen to Most Popular Audiobooks in Classics, American Literature

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Title: Tristessa

Author: Jack Kerouac

Narrator: Mike Dennis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-25-16

Publisher: The Devault-Graves Agency

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

In 1955, novelist Jack Kerouac detoured from his cross-country American travels to Mexico City, where a group of junkie expatriates he had known from the New York City post-war scene had gone for the cheap and plentiful supply of heroin and morphine. Fellow beat writer William S. Burroughs, who had been a part of the Mexican expatriate community, had introduced Kerouac to Bill Garver (named Old Bull Gaines in the novel), a much-older, long-term addict who had in turn introduced Kerouac to Esperanza Villanueva, whom Kerouac named Tristessa in the novel. Kerouac fell under the spell of Esperanza's dark allure and exotic surroundings, and hoped to re-experience the "fellaheen nights" of his joyous adventures with Mexicans in his past.

Esperanza/Tristessa, however, proved to be a far more troubled and contentious companion than Kerouac had bargained for. Kerouac had entered a particularly contemplative time in his life - he had discovered an inner peace through Zen Buddhism and was practicing an ascetic lifestyle that included celibacy - a choice he later regretted. Although Kerouac managed to control his alcoholic tendencies much of the time in Mexico, Tristessa sank deeper and deeper into the belly of morphine addiction.

Kerouac returned to Mexico City a year later (1956) hoping to resume his platonic friendship with Tristessa and perhaps even pursuing a physical relationship with her only to find a desperately junk-sick, emaciated Tristessa who could barely function. Shocked, disappointed, and largely ignored by his brown-skinned goddess, Kerouac left Tristessa trembling and barely coherent, taking only his notebooks and memories from the unpleasant experience.

Blending his incandescent, highly-evocative, careening prose with alternately blissful and rueful meditations based on his Zen and Catholic teachings, Jack Kerouac in Tristessa documents a painful episode in the "beatest" of his beat style.

Members Reviews:

Beautiful, Heartbreaking, and Haunting

This book was assigned to me for an English class. I didn't think I would like it, but I wound up loving it. Jack Kerouac's writing style is mesmerizing and wonderfully artistic. Although the story of Tristessa is sad and heartbreaking, it is unforgettable. I was greatly helped by the endnotes in this annotated edition of the book as well as some good supplemental materials at the end. I made a terrific grade on my essay. And I can still smell the Mexico described in this short but beautiful little Beat generation treasure.

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Title: The Aspern Papers

Author: Henry James

Narrator: Jeremy Northam

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-13-15

Publisher: silksoundbooks Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 28 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

One of the wittiest and most scathing of Henry James' novellas, The Aspern Papers chronicles the attempt to extract the valuable letters of the famous and recently deceased poet Jeffrey Aspern from the hands of his past lover and formidable adversary in the battle, Juliana Bordereau.

The plot was reputedly suggested to James by a story he heard of an illicit attempt to get hold of several of Lord Byron's letters. Set in a gloriously described Venice, James winds the tension of the story around the efforts of the annoymous and amoral hero to enveigle his way into the trust of Bordereau via the arms of her spinster sister. The suspense of the tale builds right up until the last moment of the story with a beautiful twist in the tale.

James himself hated any form of intrusion into his privacy, and the sense of danger with which he fills the story as the papers get closer to being obtained and published stirs the suspense of the story right up until the last minute, when the beautiful twist in the tale is revealed.

Members Reviews:

Perfect

Henry James writes beautifully the truth of human nature and human experience. He is divine.

Cat and mouse

This is a beautifully written story of a game of cat and mouse, but who is who?

The setting in Venice plays also a great role.

Jeremy Northam's interpretation is perfect.

All in all a very great pleasure in all aspects.

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Title: The Dupin Mysteries

Author: Edgar Allen Poe

Narrator: Bill Nighy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-13-15

Publisher: silksoundbooks Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The three tales that make up Edgar Allan Poe's The Dupin Mysteries introduce us to the cracking character of Chevalier Auguste Dupin.

As a rationalist and practitioner of brilliant deduction, he was to become the template for most of the detective fiction that followed speedily in his wake. The first tale, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue", details a form of murder solving that was to become only too familiar. Using his extraordinary intellect, Dupin solves a seemingly baffling crime from the clues left by the perpetrator - clues overlooked by mere mortals like the police.

Narrated by his friend and admirer, and documenting an eccentricity that charms the reader into liking what would otherwise be an insufferable arrogance, the stories bear the obvious mark of what was to become the most famous of detectives: Sherlock Holmes. He is very much a Poe creation, with the gore and horror of the murder details described with a relish and a realism not allowed by many other writers.

Members Reviews:

Bill Nighy is snsx

Bill Nighy was great! A really superb performance. I struggled with the story itself though. It was hard going

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Title: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

Author: Mark Twain

Narrator: Jeff Hays

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-23-15

Publisher: Spoken Realms

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 96 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Mark Twain's comic classic, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, is brought to life in audio by narrator Jeff Hays.

After being knocked unconscious by a crowbar, Hartford, Connecticut, man Hank Morgan awakens to find himself in the legendary realm of Camelot, 1,300 years in the past, at the point of a lance. Though the savages in this ancient land immediately see fit to imprison him, Hank learns to use his modern 19th-century knowledge to easily outwit everyone he comes across, including King Arthur himself. With only a little effort, he establishes himself as a powerful sorcerer, feared by all and known only as "The Boss".

Twain lays out his criticisms of the South, monarchy, and chivalry in this hilarious, heart-wrenching, epic romp of social commentary. Experience it as though you were in King Arthur's court yourself, with this unique take on the timeless time-travel adventure.

Members Reviews:

Classic Social Commentary Read Very Well

If your exposure to Mark Twain is limited to the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or Tom Sawyer, then I highly encourage you to familiarize yourself with this classic social commentary. While I don't agree with all of the books positions, it was still a refreshing listen and one that I enjoyed. Jeff did a wonderful job narrating the book, providing clear narration and differentiating between each of the character voices well. If I had one complaint, and this is really just nitpicking on my part, I felt the accent for someone from Connecticut to be a little off, but overall, I very much enjoyed it!

This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Social Satire by the King of Satire

What did you love best about A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court?

This is the classic tale by Mark Twain. It is a humorous critique of the justice system, technology, human rights, the class system and war. Mark Twain is the master of satire, so while the book covers these heavy issues, the story remains jaunty and jocular. The narrator is well matched to the book and gives an excellent performance.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Henry Morgan, the main character, because he is a classic con-man with good intentions. He is a snob and a bit of a blowhard, but he means well. Twain makes him the perfect spoof character and you cheer for him, even though you don't really like him.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Hayss other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not yet, but I will in the future.

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

It is a Twain satire. It makes you laugh and think.

Any additional comments?

This is a great classic to encourage your high school student to listen to and discuss with you. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.

What a romp! Granddaddy of all time travel novels

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com."

First I have to say, I had never read this book before, despite being an aficionado of the time travel 'genre'. It is also my first actual read of anything by Mark Twain other than the Huck Finn that was assigned reading at one point or another in my schooling.

The whole experience of this book was unexpectedly different than anything I had expected.

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Title: Thug Notes

Subtitle: A Street-Smart Guide to Classic Literature

Author: Sparky Sweets, PhD

Narrator: Greg Edwards

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-18-15

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 83 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Sparky Sweets, PhD, and Wisecrack proudly present this outrageously funny, ultra-sharp guide to literature based on the hit online series Thug Notes. In this audiobook you'll find hilarious plot breakdowns and masterful analyses of 16 of literature's most beloved classics, including: The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, The Color Purple, Hamlet, Things Fall Apart, and more!

Thug Notes has been featured on BET, PBS, and NPR and has been used in hundreds of classrooms around the world. Whether you're a student, teacher, or straight-up literary gangster like Dr. Sweets, Thug Notes has got you covered. You'll certainly never look at literature the same way again.

Critic Reviews:

"Thug Notes is taking wonderful literature and making it understandable, embraceable and making it usable." (Tavis Smiley)

Members Reviews:

Awesome performance!

This is one of the books that is a must-listen! Hilarious, insightful, educational, engaging and entertaining throughout! Greg Edwards does a phenomenal job! Looking forward to the next book by Dr. Sweets

Best notes EVER!!!

Never has paraphrasing been so hilarious and informative. Where was this, when I was younger???

Great book.

Exelent, but lacks a conclusion.

The book was really fun to listen to but was missing a clear ending. it just dropped off. would be better if it had a summary/conclusion.

Love it!

Highly recommend it! It's fun, humorous and very educational. Greg Edwards / Sparky Sweets, PhD translates classical works into modern times without losing their meaning and message.

Wonderfully Helpful.

Very interesting and clarifying in the case of literary works that are less easy to comprehend upon first reading. Still I abstained from from listening to the Crime and Punishment analysis since I haven't finished the book itself yet. The performance is great, feels as if I'm listening to a crazy long episode of thug notes. I only wish it could be longer and more detailed about each classic it covers, since sometimes it does feel like it was rushing through. Definitely worth the money, and I'm glad I didn't listen to the Crime and Punishment section yet since now I have more to look forward to!

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Title: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Subtitle: Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn Series, Book 2

Author: Mark Twain

Narrator: Stephen L. Vernon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-24-15

Publisher: A.R.N. Publications

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn delivers the details of Huck Finn's life after the landmark novel Tom Sawyer, at the end of which Huck becomes fairly rich for a young person. In a stroke of maturity, however, Huck entrusts his small fortune to Judge Thatcher, who he can rely on for safekeeping. The next day, Huck's biological father comes into town in pursuit of his son and the money. Having lost the chance at the latter, his father kidnaps him, forcing Huck to fake his own death just to escape. Thus begins one of the most gripping cross-state adventures in literary history, as Huck joins a slave named Jim and the two of them plot their respective flights down the Mississippi River.

Throughout the novel, Huck and Jim find themselves in a series of potentially compromising situations, especially since Jim is an escaped slave and there is a price put on his head. Huck eventually reunites with his old friend Tom Sawyer, who delivers a piece of news to him about Jim and Jim's former owner that is both shocking and joyful. A true masterpiece in exposing race relations as well as a young man's knack for adventure and misfortune is widely represented throughout this novel, which contributes to its timeless placement in the literary canon.

Members Reviews:

Great Bedtime Reader

All of the Illustrated Chosen Classics are great bedtime readers. My wife sits in the hall of the children's bedrooms and reads these stories to them at bedtime. The difference between these books and the traditional novels is that these stories move very fast. My son, in particular, will hear one of these abridged classic novels and, if he likes it, will then read the full unabridged version on his own. Kind of gives our kids a taste of the classics without having to start reading a really large and sometimes overwhelming looking book. My son is 10 and my daughter is 15. We have about 30 of these types of books in our library.

A Classic Still

Like many people of my age (62), I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a child because at that time it was widely perceived to be a child's or young adult's book. This is unfortunate as it is not nor has it ever been directed at the young. In my rereading I discovered for the first time why it is still called the original great American novel. Huckleberry, like Twain, is opinionated and perceptive. His narration and point of view drive the novel forward. Rather than relegate this work to the children's shelves or castigate it as racist, folks should embrace this novel for what it is, a bildungsroman that shows the growth of a country as well as the growth of its young protagonist.

It captivated a classroom full of surly teens

I teach English, and the junior year in North Carolina is devoted to American literature. I approached Huck Finn with no small amount of trepidation because of Twain's use of vernacular. I ran into the same problem with "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and solved that by listening to Ruby Dee's audio recording, which students loved. I purchased this recording of Huck Finn, and it was to die for fabulous. Students read along in their books as we listened to the recording, and it helped bring the characters and the story alive for them.

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Title: The Last of the Mohicans

Author: James Fenimore Cooper

Narrator: Bill Weideman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-04-15

Publisher: The Classic Collection

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The Last of the Mohicans is an epic story of romance and adventure on the American frontier. It is a story of love and loyalty and of America's coming of age.

While the French and Indians besiege Fort William Henry, Cora and Alice Munro, daughters of the English commander, are on their way to join him. They are accompanied by Major Duncan Heyward, Alice's fiancé, and by the treacherous Indian Magua, who secretly serves the French.

Magua plans to betray the party to the Iroquois and to claim Cora as his squaw, but he is foiled by the scout Hawkeye and his companions, Chingachgook and his son, Uncas, who deliver the girls to their father.

After the fall of the fort, the girls are given safe passage by the French, but Magua captures them, and they become prisoners of the Indians. To rescue Alice and Cora, Hawkeye and Uncas lead the Mohicans against the Hurons, an action filled with unforeseen consequences for all of them.

This novel is part of Brilliance Audio's extensive Classic Collection, bringing you timeless masterpieces that you and your family are sure to love.

Members Reviews:

Classic

The classic story of Chingachgook and Uncas, Last of the Mohicans brings the story alive, with great narrative, character development and insights - though culturally and time limited - into the relationships between First Nations and the British and French at the time of the French and Indian War. A classic.

My 9 year old couldn't stop reading. We did ...

My 9 year old couldn't stop reading. We did a lot of research trying to get a copy that was going to be worthwhile and this exceeded our expectations.

Nice edition for young readers.

Very fine edition for young readers. Very well illustrated in hardbound. No dust jacket but a kid would probably just tear it anyway. All in all a very good way to introduce young readers to this classic.

Classic read

Cooper's tale of 1757 is not only a classic it is also a great description of that period of American history which defined the course of the nation.

I loved it then

I last read "Last of the Mohicans" when I was six years old. I loved it then, and I got to love it again. It is window into a segment of US history that helped define our nation, minus the spin.

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Title: Uncle Tom's Cabin

Author: Harriet Beecher Stowe

Narrator: Buck Schirner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-14-15

Publisher: The Classic Collection

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 70 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Neither before nor after the publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin has a woman ever so moved America to take action against injustice as Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Published in 1852, Uncle Tom's Cabin brought the abolitionists' message to the public conscience. Indeed, Abraham Lincoln greeted Stowe in 1863 as "the little lady who made this big war."

Eliza Harris, a slave whose child is to be sold, escapes her beloved home on the Shelby plantation in Kentucky and heads North, eluding the hired slave catchers. Aided by the Underground Railroad, Quakers, and others opposed to the Fugitive Slave Act, Eliza, her son, and her husband George run toward Canada.

As the Harrises flee to freedom, another slave, Uncle Tom, is sent "down the river" for sale. Too loyal to abuse his master's trust, too Christian to rebel, Tom wrenches himself from his family. Befriending a white child, Evangeline St. Clare, Tom is purchased by her father and taken to their home in New Orleans. Although Evangeline's father finally resolves to free his slaves, his sudden death alters their fates, sending Tom farther downriver to Simon Legree's plantation, and the whips of Legree's overseers.

This novel is part of Brilliance Audio's extensive Classic Collection, bringing you timeless masterpieces that you and your family are sure to love.

Members Reviews:

Inspiring

Buck Schirner was an expert in taking on the voice and language of the characters. He made the book come alive for me. This book is thought provoking as one considers hypocrisy and self-centered living as opposed to Tom's humility and self-sacrifice for his fellow slaves. It inspires me to do something and be a voice for the voiceless as Tom and George did.

reader was great! really gave life to characters.

reader brought the characters to life, I almost felt like I had met them too

Loved it!

The different voices of the people really illustrated the different character personalities. It kept me completely engaged!

great american classic

loved it. the narration is amazing. wnjoyed the book a great deal.

recommend it to everybody

Must Read

Unbelievable story, so beautifully written. It won't disappoint. I highly recommend this book to everyone. The narrator was wonderful as well. This book will be in my top 10 of all time.

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Title: The Great Gatsby: A Reader's Guide to the F. Scott Fitzgerald Novel

Author: Robert Crayola

Narrator: Sean Lenhart

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-15-14

Publisher: Robert Crayola

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This new guide gives you an in-depth analysis of The Great Gatsby, unlocking its more confusing aspects, making the book accessible and enjoyable, and helping you uncover all the details that make up the story. Included in this guide: a biography of author F. Scott Fitzgerald, a look at the book's context, its literary elements, and detailed chapter summaries and analysis.

Members Reviews:

Three Stars

Looking forward to reading the actual book.

Five Stars

Item was purchased for one of our schools

Loved it!

Great product!

Four Stars

OK

Five Stars

Great

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Title: Once There Was a War

Author: John Steinbeck, Mark Bowden (editor)

Narrator: Lloyd James

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-28-14

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 88 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Nobel laureate John Steinbeck's bracing from-the-frontlines account of World War II - now with a new introduction.

In 1943 John Steinbeck was on assignment for The New York Herald Tribune, writing from Italy and North Africa, and from England in the midst of the London blitz. In his dispatches he focuses on the human-scale effect of the war, portraying everyone from the guys in a bomber crew to Bob Hope on his USO tour and even fighting alongside soldiers behind enemy lines. Taken together, these writings create an indelible portrait of life in wartime.

Members Reviews:

The greatest war story(ies) ever told

I have read many war biographies and accounts of WWII, including Churchill's, but none come close to bringing WWII to life like this book does. Although stripped of specific details by the censors, the stories lose nothing from the omissions for Steinbeck has done a masterful job of reaching deep into the lives of the men and women of the allied forces and giving them expression that is pure gold. I have lived as an infantry soldier and these words ring so true and deep that one wishes there were volumes of these stories somewhere. Although Ken Burns did much of this for the Civil War, the main difference is that Steinbeck brings his deep understanding and empathy for the common person to the description of events. You will not be disappointed, even if you do not care much for Steinbeck's other works.

Great stories

Worthy of your time. A look at the war through the eyes of a true observers of the world.

Empathetic and Respectful view of the men of WWII

Over the past two months while reading classics as part of a personal challenge I have fallen in love with the prose of John Steinbeck. Now I intend to find and read everything he wrote! This is my first read of one of his nonfiction books, and my first review of less than 5 stars. However, if there were half stars I would certainly give this one a solid 4.5 stars!

These stories come from John's experiences as a war correspondent during WWII in England, Italy and northern Africa. The beauty of the stories is the way John writes about each soldier with love and respect. He tries to tell the story of their humanity and frailty. This book will not teach you a great deal about WWII unless you know very little, but it will give you insight into the individual men who touched John while he served. He writes with humor, frankness, admiration and love. He has a true empathy for these men, and it is palpable as you read this little book.

LLoyd James was very good -- but I missed Gary Sinise who was so good that I felt like he embodied John Steinbeck.

wonderful insightful book

Would you consider the audio edition of Once There Was a War to be better than the print version?

I have been on a Jon Steinbeck kick and I loved this. His everyday details about the reality and sometimes the every day heros of war is illuminating and very down to earth.

Have you listened to any of Lloyd Jamess other performances before? How does this one compare?

no but he was great

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

don't have to you can read it in segments which is great

Immediately Started the Book Over to Listen Again

This collection has got to be my most cherished book from audible.