Where to Listen to Audiobooks in Classics, British Literature Popular Authors

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Title: Robinson Crusoe

Author: Daniel Defoe

Narrator: Dick Hill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-04-08

Publisher: Alpha DVD

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 64 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

In this classic, a young Englishman is shipwrecked on a desert island in the Caribbean with only a few supplies. Robinson Crusoe builds a house, a boat, and a new life. His life on the island is threatened by frequent visits from cannibals. Crusoe saves a captive named Friday from the cannibals, gaining a companion and loyal servant. Thus begins their quest to be rescued from the island.

©1719 Public Domain; (P)2007 Alpha DVD LLC

Members Reviews:

Classic story, well worth rereading

The last time I read this book was close to 60 years ago, while still in high school, where it was assigned, as one of the required books for the term, in our Freshman English class. That was way back, when schools actually required students to read at least 4 books, each semester of every year, just for their English course. While the syntax and language are, at times, arcane, the story is a classic one, to which I recommend all readers.

Good man found his way

I read this book , when I was 10or 12 years old.

I was amazed how I saw Robinson Crusoe and Friday this time. I saw a man doing penance for some wrong dealings , and earning his way back to society.

A classic

I tried to read this book when I was a teenager and I was put off by the language and writing style. This time I stayed with it and was glad I did. The writing style is quite a bit different than today's. Some of the sentences in this book were three pages long. I viewed it on a Kindle and was glad to have the dictionary available to look up some of the terms used. Overall a very good book. It dragged in some spots, especially when he spends forty pages discussing why the settlers should marry the women they've lived with. The scanning was haphazard - there was no editing after it was scanned, so page numbers and odd notations are scattered randomly throughout. It was free, so I can't complain too much.

Perfect for someone who still enjoys picking up a book!

Purchased as a gift for a family member. This was not a new copy and I did not want a new one. The condition was exactly as stated in the description. Classic story and the great feel of an old book. Quite a combination.

Good read!

How do you get as old as me and not have read Robinson Crusoe? I don't know the answer to that question. My grandson suggested that I read it, and I did. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Title: Cautionary Verses

Author: Hilaire Belloc

Narrator: Martin Jarvis, Rosalind Ayres

Format: Abridged

Length: 1 hr and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-10-07

Publisher: CSA Word

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Here is a timeless classic in an exclusive audio edition featuring Matilda, who told such dreadful lies; George, who played with a dangerous toy and suffered a catastrophe of considerable dimensions; and many, many other colourful characters. Witty, memorable, and always instructive, join the many generations who have laughed together and enjoyed Belloc's unique and biting humour.

© and (P)2004 CSA Telltapes Ltd.

Members Reviews:

I can't remember where I found out about this book but I checked it out of my local library and loved it and ended up getting th

It was so hard to find this book on Amazon. I wanted the one with all seven books in it plus the original illustrations. I finally found it. I can't remember where I found out about this book but I checked it out of my local library and loved it and ended up getting the overpriced eBook. This is another book like max and Moritz or struwwelpeter, full of dark cautionary tales about children who do awful things, like tell lies and burn for it, or eat pieces of string (was that really a thing back then?!), or are just plain nasty. The rest of the book is about beasts and the alphabet and are, in my opinion, Subpar to th verses but I think this is a great book and well worth the time.

Great book, but the paperback construction is lacking.

The content is great, but the paperback version isn't constructed very well. Pages started falling out not too long after we started reading through it.

Five Stars

Gift book

Five Stars

Nothing compares to these pitch perfect English ditties. And the illustrations are so much fun.

One Star

Too tiny.

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Title: Ivanhoe

Author: Walter Scott

Narrator: Flo Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-06-07

Publisher: Audio Book Contractors, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The Norman-Saxon conflict is vividly described with battle scenes, medieval pageantry, and romantic escapades. The hero Sir Wilfred Ivanhoe, the lovely brave Jewess Rebecca, Richard the Lion-Hearted, and Robin Hood and his merry band are just a few of the chivalrous characters.

©1997 Audio Book Contractors, Inc.; (P)2007 Audio Book Contractors, Inc.

Members Reviews:

I suspect that he was overwhelmed and killed by his own guilt when his heart was broken by the beautiful Rebecca. In a sense

The writing for this classic book is old fashioned and tarried. The hero in this book seems to be King Richard, the Lion-heart, who has given more attention, descriptions and character dimensions by the author. He in result has become a character more interesting than the chivalrous Ivanhoe who even though has been given the title of the book. The final combat scene between Ivanhoe and Bois-Guilbert, to me, is an anti-climax, without clearly shown how Bois-Guilert being defeated and die by Ivanhoe. I suspect that he was overwhelmed and killed by his own guilt when his heart was broken by the beautiful Rebecca. In a sense, he is quite romantic, from the modern point of views.

Referring to the Modern Library Classics paperback edition

No wonder this novel is a classic! I'm sure there isn't much I can add to the praises of Ivanhoe. I will just say that I enjoyed it very much. I mostly wanted to comment on the edition that I read.

I purchased The Modern Library Classics (paperback) edition. The quality of the book is fair, for a paperback. There are a few footnotes throughout the book and quite a few notes on the text in the back of the book, some were written by Scott himself. I only found a few of these notes to be helpful; as for the rest, they did nothing to enhance my understanding of the text and some left me with even more questions than when I started. Many of them refer to other books for further explanation.

Also, there are quite a few phrases throughout the story in Latin and French. Some are explained in the text while the rest are left untranslated. I wish their translations would have been included in the above mentioned notes. I wish there had been a pronounciation guide for the names of the characters as well.

I would give the book 5 stars but for the problems I mentioned above. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the middle-ages, knights, chivalry, King Richard, etc...even if you have no particular interest in these things, you should at least give the book a chance. After all, it's a classic and as with most classics, you can hardly ever go wrong.

Fun Adventure, A Bit Slow In Places

I guess I am a romantic. I liked the action and the thought that men did the right thing because it was the noble thing to do. I was a little disturbed by the Christian treatment of the Jews, which was a key theme throughout the story. My only criticism is that right when I thought the action would "heat up," the author chose to describe some scene - like the castle of Coningsburg. Also, I expected the storyline to be more developed in places and it just ended abruptly. I was pleasantly surprised to see Robin Hood integrated into the story. Overall, I enjoyed reading it as a work of historical fiction.

This hasn't changed in the last century, or so. ...

My favorite part is when we are transported to "another part of the forest" to continue the tale.

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Title: The Mayor of Casterbridge (Dramatised)

Author: Thomas Hardy

Narrator: John Nettles, David Calder, Janet Dale

Format: Original Recording

Length: 3 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-31-07

Publisher: BBC Worldwide Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Drunk on rum at a country fair, Henchard sells his wife to a sailor for five guineas. Unable to find, them and overcome with guilt and remorse, he vows to be teetotal for 21 years.

Many years later his wife seeks him out in Casterbridge, where he has gained both wealth and the well-respected position of mayor. His family restored to him, Henchard's happiness should be complete. But beneath the surface still smoulders the same impetuousness and temper that, combined with fate, bring about his degradation and ruin.

Critic Reviews:

"The foremost novelist of his time." (Geoffrey Harvey, The Complete Critical Guide to Thomas Hardy)

Members Reviews:

The Mayor of Casterbridge.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.Thomas hardy always sets the scene and atmosphere so well. The narration was very good , I liked the different characters and dialect. Going to buy some more Hardy.

enjoyable story and presentation

I thoroughly enjoyed this classic novel. It was easy to follow, not too long and easy to listen to. Some of the classics can be a bit of a slog. This was enjoyable and not as long winded as some can be.

The Mayor of Casterbridgge (dramatized)

I have not been able to receive this audio book on my Kindle, so have had to buy another version. Why I do not know. Please help!!

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Title: The Nicest Girl in the School

Author: Angela Brazil

Narrator: Harriet Walter

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-19-07

Publisher: CSA Word

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Angela Brazil wrote school stories for girls throughout the first half of the 20th century. She was the first author to relate this experience from the girls' perspective, offering a more sympathetic and intimate view of school life. Funny, touching, and wonderfully "jollyhockey sticks", The Nicest Girl in the School remains one of the most popular of her stories. It features Patty Hirst and her cousin Muriel Pearson, and tells of their turbulent times together at Morton Priory, even including a near-death experience! It is superbly read by Harriet Walter, one of Britain's finest actresses.

© and (P)2006 CSA Telltapes Ltd.

Critic Reviews:

"A gem." (Sunday Times)

Members Reviews:

Recording a little jumbled--one scene out of order

Any additional comments?

One Christmas scene is given after the author has read the words "The End." I was glad it was there, because I wondered what had happened.

The book is suitable for eight or nine year olds. It is a very sweet old fashioned story about an English boarding school. I could see the influence of this type of book on J.K. Rowling when she wrote about the train ride to Hogwarts and other aspects of school life.

The reader, Harriet Walter is a great actress, which is why I bought the book.

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Title: Bleak House

Author: Charles Dickens

Narrator: Sean Barrett

Format: Abridged

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-10-07

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The long, drawn-out case of Jarndyce versus Jarndyce provides the background to this novel, which takes us into Dickens' world of impoverished people on the street, lovers fallen on hard times, and the grand riches of the upper classes. It is read movingly by Sean Barrett.

Editorial Reviews:

Audio is a great way to enjoy Dickens, especially as he himself believed the best way to deliver his material was to read it aloud. By turns darkly humorous, horrific, and poignant, this is great entertainment. Narrators Sean Barrett and Teresa Gallagher more than hold their own with the complex story and multitude of characters. Gallagher breathes new life into young Esther, portraying her with charm and intelligence and avoiding the cloying sweetness she is frequently accused of. Barrett gives weight and voice to the loftiest and lowest members of mid-nineteenth-century British society, while drawing out every ounce of humor in what can be, in the right hands, a very funny novel.

Critic Reviews:

"Vigorous satire....[with] a host of interesting minor characters." (The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature)

Members Reviews:

Excellent

Excellent book and narration. Tried a different narrator first but stopped and bought this very instead. Excellent.

Can't understand female narrator

Dickens can be hard to understand, because there is a huge culture gap between his time and ours. His verbosity, convoluted syntax, and strange vocabulary can make reading difficult and listening even more difficult--to say nothing of his excessive sentimentality and over-dramatization.

According to Wikipedia, Bleak House has 18 main characters and 36 minor characters. Evidently, this did not tax his readers, but it is a bit much for me. I needed a short explanation sometimes, to remind me who some of these people were.

I had little trouble understanding the male narrator, but I could hardly understand the female narrator, she read so quickly. She seemed to think she was reading to a Victorian audience, not someone in the American colonies.

Wonderful narrators!

A Dickens' story wonderfully told! Two narrators were selected and for the length of the work able to be captivating.

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Title: Tom Jones, Volume 3

Author: Henry Fielding

Narrator: Charlton Griffin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-07-07

Publisher: Audio Connoisseur

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 58 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Tom Jones is greatly admired not only for the meticulous craft with which it was written, but also for its humor, objectivity, and penetrating psychological depth. It is without a doubt one of the great contributions to the English novel, and as such will always maintain a place of honor in world literature. Through the minute examination of the motives of his characters, Henry Fielding revealed many universal truths about human nature. That he could do so by employing the comic style of mock-heroic literature is all the more extraordinary.

In Volume 3, we find our hero in London. Everything now comes to a crescendo of furious activity and comic missteps. Tom actively pursues Sophia, whom he loves desperately. However, his feelings are misrepresented to her by the wiles of Lady Bellaston, who desires Tom for herself. As other incidents pile into the plot, Tom finds himself becoming ever more estranged from his beloved Sophia. And when Squire Western and Blifil arrive, things look bleak indeed. However, it is always darkest before the dawn, and all's well that ends well.

Critic Reviews:

"Fielding is generally agreed to be an innovating master of the highest originality....He devised what he described as 'comic epics in prose', which are in effect the first modern novels in English....[Tom Jones] is generally regarded as Fielding's greatest." (The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature)

Members Reviews:

A revolution in it's time to still charm 250 years later!

The story is so engaging that I entirely forgot it's age. Fielding's wit and sarcasm still bite and it would be a very dark heart indeed that is not entirely satisfied with the conclusion. It is well worth the many-hour listen!

(Knowing a smattering of Latin definitely enriches the humorous experience, though nothing is lost of the plot if you are an adamant disciple of living languages only.)

Story was slow and long, but ended well!

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

It depends on the friend. The great moments of humor and enlightenment were punctuations on a much more mundane text. I felt there was too much character development for some, and not enough to others.

What about Charlton Griffins performance did you like?

Griffin did great, though I couldn't tell the Irish accented characters apart. A lot of emotion, and he pulled off timing on the comic parts perfectly.

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

Tom is probably like most people--easily influenced by passion yet putting on airs about being full of honor, trust, and dignity.

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Title: The Pilgrim's Progress

Author: John Bunyan

Narrator: Gary Martin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-12-07

Publisher: Jimcin Recordings

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

One of the most popular stories ever written, this allegory tells of Christian, an Everyman character, who makes his way from the "City of Destruction" to the "Celestial City" of Zion. Christian finds himself weighed down by a great burden he carries from reading a book (obviously the Bible). This burden, which could cause him to sink into hell (Tophet), is Christian's acute, immediate concern, and impels him to a crisis: what to do for deliverance.

© and (P)1986 Jimcin Recordings

Editorial Reviews:

The original composition of The Pilgrim's Progress began while John Bunyan was serving a lengthy prison sentence for preaching outside of the auspices of the Church of England. Now, Bunyan's allegorical work is regarded as one of the most significant pieces of English literature. British actor Gary Martin takes this nearly 400-year-old text and gives it a new life in this production. Whether listeners are interested in the historical or religious importance of this story, Martin's performance makes it easy to engage with the timelessness Christian's journey.

Members Reviews:

Bad copy

This particular copy is incomplete...don't buy this one, get the other unabridged one, it works correctly

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Title: Treasure Island

Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Narrator: David Ian Davies

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-23-07

Publisher: One Voice Recordings

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 40 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The excitement, adventure, and magical sense of time and place, outraying from the heart of Robert Louis Stevenson's 18th-century pirate tale, is captured in all its glory by actor David Ian Davies in this new One Voice Recordings release. Be swept away by the story of young Jim Hawkins, caught up in his journey to the Caribbean islands upon a ship with a memorable and explosive crew, and led by the cryptic map from a Dead Man's Chest.

©2006 One Voice Recordings, All Rights Reserved.

Critic Reviews:

"Thrilling fights and adventures." (The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature)

"Over Treasure Island I let my fire die in winter without knowing I was freezing." (J.M. Barrie)

Members Reviews:

great narration!

the narator did a phenomenal job portraing the characters. The story is unforgettable. couldn't wait to find out the fate of John Silver

Heck of good story and liked very much

I thought it was one of the best stories you could of made for audio listening and one that stays in my mind. I love listening to it and rate it one to listen to!

Predictable, but enjoyable

First off- Recording quality is excellent. Other than the cheesy music which begins every chapter, I have no reservations.

The quality of the story? Its good. Its a simple story, with nothing terribly complex or insightful, but its good. A "brain candy" book for people from some years ago perhaps. Very much enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone looking for an escape on a pirate adventure for a while. Young boys especially should read this.

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Title: A Rogue's Life

Author: Wilkie Collins

Narrator: Bernard Mayes

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-07-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 64 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Propelled into society by his ever-hopeful father, Frank is introduced to a variety of professions in order to make his fortune. Not industrious by nature, however, Frank finds working life a challenge, and by his 25th birthday, he has failed medicine, portrait-painting, caricaturing, and even forgery. Disenchanted with life, he despairs of ever finding something to commit to until he meets Alicia Dulcifer and her inexplicably wealthy father.

Proffering his own take on picaresque storytelling and with many a grain of truth for 20-somethings today this is Wilkie Collins at his entertaining best.

Members Reviews:

One Twisting, Turning, Fun Book!

This is a fun book! Having recently finished The Moonstone and The Lady in White (several times), I thought I had a handle on Mr. Wilkie Collins' style and subject matter. Was I ever so wrong. This book is written as if autobiographical as he looks back on his well meaning and hard-working youthful self who just couldn't get things to work out. He stumbled out of one career and scrape into another with sometimes alarming frequency. He got tossed out of the house by his family, thrown into debtor's prison, took up forging old masters paintings. Then he meets his dream woman, lost her, had to search the country for her, then his life really took a turn for the unexpected and sometimes bizarre. The author writes in a matter-of-fact, self-deprecating manner about the most trying turn of events and dramatic setbacks. The narrator, Bernard Mayes, is splendid. I wouldn't characterize his style as BBC World Service where the most catastrophic events are reported as calmly and detached as possible but it is something of that nature. In any case, Mr. Mayes is perfect for A Rogue's Life.

Funny and Well Read

A very enjoyable listen. The narrator is great. Not at all your usual Wilkie Collins. Nothing supernatural, or dark. Just a well-writing, funny, romantic, sometimes satirical story of a charming young man with no particular calling making an unconventional beginning in life

Very Enjoyable

Sit back and enjoy. Very entertaining the scrapes that main character gets into, with the final one in the name of love. First chapters set the stage, and albeit are a little slow, but hang on, you get sucked in and can't wait to find out what happens next.

A Lot Of Fun!!

This story is simply delightful and fun. You can't help but be entertained by the path and career choices of the main character Frank. Pleasantly amoral, he gets into one scrape after another and always land of his feet but never for long. This is Wilkie Collins at his comical best! Like is very good friend Charles Dickens, Collins would write any genre brilliantly. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Very Droll

Sometimes so much so that one is put in mind of the TV character Buzz Killington. Nonetheless, there are giggles to be had here. It would have been better if the author had used more "showing" and less telling. It is in "journal" form more than fictional form (dialogue, rich details, etc.) For good droll British humor, George Grossman's TALES OF A NOBODY is better.