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

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Title: The Ghost Pirates

Author: William Hope Hodgson

Narrator: Harry Shaw

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-28-14

Publisher: Spoken Realms

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Mysterious deaths and disappearances on a doomed ship on its final voyage. Another ship appears out of nowhere, then vanishes. A single survivor of the Mortzestus gives his account of terror and haunting on the high seas in this classic tale by master writer William Hope Hodgson.

Members Reviews:

Strange Tides

This is the story of the merchant ship Mortzestus on it's final voyage. The story is told from the ships only survivor, who recounts how some unknown horror gradually pulled the ship to its ultimate doom.

I tracked this novel down, because H.P. Lovecraft lavished praise on it as a first rate horror story. The beginning is slow, but Lovecraft fans in particular will find a lot to interest to interest them. Lots of otherworldly, possibly inter dimensional, horrors abound here.

The only drawback is the narration. This novel has a lot of technical ship jargon (Hodgson was a sailor in addition to horror novelist) so the book is already a bit dense. Add to this the soulless, bored sounding narration of Harry Shaw and it really does hurt the suspense. Still, it wasn't enough to kill my enjoyment. Go check it out!

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Title: The Virgin and the Gypsy

Author: D. H. Lawrence

Narrator: Georgina Sutton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-27-13

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

In a claustrophobic household, oppressed by her blind, toad-like grandmother and a cowardly, conventional father, Yvettes exuberance seems doomed to suppression. But meeting a gypsy awakens unfamiliar emotions in her, making her challenge the familys accepted morality. As she wavers between conformity and rebellion, a flash flood threatens her home, her world, and her life. This short novel deals with all the major themes of sexuality and identity that made Lawrence one of the most original and influential writers of the 20th century; and it is a satirical, atmospheric, moving and surprising masterpiece.

Members Reviews:

Waking up the senses

A young woman living a restricted life in the parsonage of her rector father miles from the nearby small town is restless and rebellious (mostly emotionally) and waiting for something to happen, some great love to come along, at least a way out of her staid life. When she meets a handsome, prideful, and slightly sinister gypsy, her senses come alive. When he saves her from a flood and spends the night with her (perhaps?), she is no longer an immature, rather spoiled ingenue. Lawrence is a great writer of human emotion, although his style for describing things is unique and may need getting used to. He has to be read in the context of his times.

Longing For Love

In this book, Lawrence is in usual top form in describing the longing of a young girl, a virgin, for the slightly unconventional. Her vision of her future being a stayed and commonplace marriage to one of the local boys of character and money, she longs for something else before that fate befalls her. She does find that love, very much by accident.

She comes across a Gypsy and she falls deeply and viscerally in love with him. Yet, she is coy and she is proper about it. Although she badly wishes to be with him, she understands the potential scandal of such a union. Her father being one that is a non-believer, despite his position as the rector; she sees his revulsion for those things of the body. The rector's wife had left him for an impoverished boy. She sought something the rector just could not provide to her. Even though she was his everything, he was not able to make her feel the love she wished deeply even to her bones.

Her daughter too felt that there was more than just the future she envisioned. She felt that it was not a matter that could be ignored. It was a matter that had to be satisfied and soon. But how to do so, without being seen as a prostitute by her own family; that was the mystery and the beauty of the book.

Finally, amongst a great flood and terror that is more frightful than can be imagined, she finds herself with the Gypsy in her own bedroom, safe from the outside world of people because of the isolation and protection afforded by an unanticipated flood. Here she makes the passionate love to him that she had heretofore only dreamed about. Here she becomes a woman, and becomes a lover at the same time.

As always, Lawrence fills the text with serious metaphor and memory. He uses symbolism, systematically revealing the undercurrents of his character's huge love and anticipation with thinly veiled double entendres and images. This book is specifically recommended for Lawrence readers, but in addition, the book is highly recommended to those seeking love and those fulfilled in love.

Five Stars

Great book

Subdued and Sexy

D.H.

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Title: John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)

Author: John Ruskin

Narrator: Neville Jason

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-11-13

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This is an essay from the Favorite Essays collection.

Here, in this unusual collection, are some of the greatest essays in Western literature. Witty, informative and imaginative, the topics vary from starvation in Ireland, fine China, the extension of railways in the Lake District, and the tombs in Westminster Abbey. A little like after-dinner monologues, they are passing thoughts expressed as journalism. Neville Jason reads with urbane clarity.

Editorial Reviews:

In "The Extension of Railways in the Lake District: A Protest," John Ruskin argues against a proposed expansion of the railway into the beautiful natural area of the Lake District. Ruskin earned fame as a 19th-century English art critic. Neville Jason selected this essay for its intellectual depth and performs it as a passionate plea. With a voice both academic and mature, Jason employs an appropriately cultured tone. Clear diction and deliberate pacing make the old-fashioned syntax listener-friendly. An experienced actor and voice over artist, Jason has earned both a Talkies Award and an Audiophile Earphone Award.

Members Reviews:

Slow and delicately built

So.

That's why he's famous.

This gives you a little glimmer of one of the most prolific writers, ever.

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Title: Wild Life in a Southern County (Excerpted Essay)

Author: Richard Jeffries

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-10-13

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Richard Jefferies remains one of the most thoughtful and most lyrical writers on the English countryside. Best known for his articles and stories published in the Live Stock Journal, he draws from a wealth of knowledge of the rural community into which he had been born.

Here he examines the habitats of the Downs and the birds and animals that live there. Written in Jefferies' highly descriptive style, the essay conveys a sense of wonder evoked by the natural world.

Proceeds from sale of this title go to Reach Out and Read, an innovative literacy advocacy organization.

Members Reviews:

Art & Emotion Go Hand in Hand!

This book is a scholarly read and Jane Harrison shows how man has always dealt with rituals to celebrate new life or some rite of passage. He could be seen enraptured in a dance or a song as he asks the gods to show mercy for rain, a healing or for food. She shows how these ancient rituals evolved into art forms such as choral readings, dance forms and even drama itself. Also, Greek sculpture was developed as a demure way to give homage to the gods.

The one common thread behind all of the art forms was high emotional energy because the needs were so great. She then moves towards the premise that art is borne out of emotion and when man has a dire need, he becomes active and participatory.

She then shifts to the artist himself and says he speaks when he is vexed or his feelings are deeply stirred. It is the artistâs duty to transfer those feelings into some medium and this expression will eventually be seen as a spoken truth whether done through writing, painting or drama. The artist normally has a keener emotion and though often perceived as somewhat removed or aloof from practical life, it is his responsibility to tell what he sees and feels.

A Lasting Classic by a Lasting Scholar

Jane Ellen Harrison was one of the great classical scholars of her time, at a time when women were scarce in academia. She had the respect of other scholars in her field too and was an inspiration to the next generations.

She was far ahead of her time as a multi-disciplinarian bringing all her knowledge in various fields to bear in her works. This book is seminal for the ritual and art of ancient times.

Five Stars

good resource for rituals

Ian Myles Slater on: Short Book, Large Concepts

"Ancient Art and Ritual" is a short, "popular" book by Jane Ellen Harrison (1850-1928), who was a classical scholar by training, and a student of anthropology (or sociology) when Frazer's "The Golden Bough" was still astonishing (or infuriating) classicists with its message that the customs and beliefs of "beastly heathen savages" might shed light on those of the Greeks and Romans. (Who were, of course, strictly speaking, "beastly heathens" themselves.... Not to mention some of their other customs.) On top of this, she pioneered the role of professional academic for women; separating the two aspects in some of the negative reactions to her work can be difficult.

Those curious about her now have a very good Wikipedia article to refer to, so I'll forgo a biographical sketch, and a lot of bibliographic detail on her publications. (This takes advantage of well-documented modern studies, Sandra J.

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Title: G K Chesterton (1874 - 1936)

Author: G. K. Chesterton

Narrator: Neville Jason

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-06-13

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This is an essay from the Favorite Essays collection.

Here, in this unusual collection, are some of the greatest essays in Western literature. Witty, informative and imaginative, the topics vary from starvation in Ireland, fine China, the extension of railways in the Lake District, and the tombs in Westminster Abbey. A little like after-dinner monologues, they are passing thoughts expressed as journalism. Neville Jason reads with urbane clarity.

Editorial Reviews:

This installment in the Favorite Essays series presents G. K. Chestertons "On Lying in Bed", a deliciously languid reflection on sleep, laziness, activity, and what makes life worth living. Chesterton, a 19th-century jack-of-all-trades whose fiction and essays have entered the canon of classic English prose, has a beautiful unhurried style of writing, and leaps lightly from idea to idea in this thought-provoking piece, letting his mind wander where it might.

Neville Jasons plush, rolling tones further enrich this sleepy lyric essay, and listeners will enjoy lazing about in this masterful work.

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Title: Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

Author: Samuel Johnson

Narrator: Neville Jason

Format: Unabridged

Length: 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-04-13

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This is an essay from the Favorite Essays collection.

Here, in this unusual collection, are some of the greatest essays in Western literature. Witty, informative and imaginative, the topics vary from starvation in Ireland, fine China, the extension of railways in the Lake District, and the tombs in Westminster Abbey. A little like after-dinner monologues, they are passing thoughts expressed as journalism. Neville Jason reads with urbane clarity.

Editorial Reviews:

Having basically written the dictionary, Samuel Johnson is one interesting thinker. Here, Neville Jason has collected two of Johnson's best essays: "Solitude Not Eligible" and "Good Humor". In the former, Johnson argues that a lonely life makes poor sense. In the second, he praises the will to please; good humor, he explains, is the "balm of being". In his smooth and deep voice, Jason handles highbrow vocabulary with ease. Still, the outdated syntax proves trying at times. Perhaps let the illustrious words wash over you once and then give this production a second listen to get to its meat.

Members Reviews:

Master of the English Language

A compilation essays composed by the man who created the Dictionary of the English Language all later English dictionaries are patterned after. His style of writing is challenging. He is quick witted, a top notch moralist and moralist.

He lived most of the eighteenth century. He will make anyone ponder long after putting the volume down the subjects he has covered.

Refreshing

A refreshing change from modern tendencies to strive for becoming bigger, better, brighter, faster, funnier, first.

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Title: The Canterbury Tales: The Friar's Tale (Modern Verse Translation)

Author: Geoffrey Chaucer

Narrator: Tim Pigott-Smith

Format: Unabridged

Length: 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-14-13

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This is a story from the Canterbury Tales III: Modern Verse Translation collection.

Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, a collection of narratives written between 1387 and 1400, tells of a group of 30 people from all layers of society who pass the time along their pilgrimage to Canterbury by telling stories to one another, their interaction mediated (at times) by the affable host - Chaucer himself. Naxos AudioBooks' third volume presents the tales of six people, here in an unabridged modern verse translation (by Frank Ernest Hill, 1935). This is an ideal way to appreciate the genuinely funny and droll talent of Englands early master storyteller. Seven leading British actors bring the medieval world into the 21st century, and at least in terms of character, not much seems to have changed!

Editorial Reviews:

Narrator Tim Pigott-Smith's performance is a wonderful illustration of the pleasures of storytelling. In this modern-verse rendition of "The Friar's Tale" from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, Pigott-Smith inhabits the Friar's voice like a well-tailored suit as the Friar tells the humorous story of a summoner who is an extortionist, thief, and bawd. The summoner meets a yeoman who turns out to be the devil himself, and the two unsurprisingly get along quite well. But later, when he is cursed by a woman he tries to extort, the summoner is taken by the devil to hell, where the Friar clearly believes he belongs. Listeners will particularly appreciate Pigott-Smith's enjoyable deployment of different accents for the characters.

Members Reviews:

Great edition, just wish

Can't go wrong with Chaucer. Great edition, just wish, they would have split it into two volumes, or maybe even three with the third being the dictionary as a separate book. Would gladly pay extra for having three instead all in one. Happy reading!!!

Chaucer

This book arrived quickly and its in current English. Reading Chaucer is difficult when you're accustomed to reading today's modern literature. But this makes it easier.

Enjoyable

A must read for those who enjoy the classics!

Beware of the sycophant! (this and other caveats)

In the Nun's Priease Tale, Chaucer utters the most startingly 4 words constructed: Beware of the sycophant! Each tale, like the latter, also contains a moral. The best book in the English language this side of Shakesphere.

Five Stars

Nice to listen to every month!

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Title: The Canterbury Tales: The Physician's Tale (Modern Verse Translation)

Author: Geoffrey Chaucer

Narrator: Michael Maloney

Format: Unabridged

Length: 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-14-13

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This is a story from the Canterbury Tales III: Modern Verse Translation collection.

Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, a collection of narratives written between 1387 and 1400, tells of a group of 30 people from all layers of society who pass the time along their pilgrimage to Canterbury by telling stories to one another, their interaction mediated (at times) by the affable host - Chaucer himself. Naxos AudioBooks' third volume presents the tales of six people, here in an unabridged modern verse translation (by Frank Ernest Hill, 1935). This is an ideal way to appreciate the genuinely funny and droll talent of England's early master storyteller. Seven leading British actors bring the medieval world into the 21st century, and at least in terms of character, not much seems to have changed!

Editorial Reviews:

This entry in Geofrey Chaucers venerated Canterbury Tales serves as a moral allegory concerning the knight Virginius, described as "rich in honor and nobility", and the desperate measures he must resort to to protect his only daughter from ignominy when the fiendish judge Appius orchestrates a nefarious plot to enslave the beautiful young Virginia in this rapturous audiobook superbly performed by Michael Maloney, whose vibrant, soulful performance, particularly his portrayal of the villainous Appius, elevates Chaucers lyricism and will leave an indelible impression in the minds of listeners.

Members Reviews:

Great edition, just wish

Can't go wrong with Chaucer. Great edition, just wish, they would have split it into two volumes, or maybe even three with the third being the dictionary as a separate book. Would gladly pay extra for having three instead all in one. Happy reading!!!

Chaucer

This book arrived quickly and its in current English. Reading Chaucer is difficult when you're accustomed to reading today's modern literature. But this makes it easier.

Enjoyable

A must read for those who enjoy the classics!

Beware of the sycophant! (this and other caveats)

In the Nun's Priease Tale, Chaucer utters the most startingly 4 words constructed: Beware of the sycophant! Each tale, like the latter, also contains a moral. The best book in the English language this side of Shakesphere.

Five Stars

Nice to listen to every month!

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Canterbury Tales: The Manciple's Tale (Modern Verse Translation)

Author: Geoffrey Chaucer

Narrator: Sean Barrett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-14-13

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This is a story from the Canterbury Tales III: Modern Verse Translation collection.

Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, a collection of narratives written between 1387 and 1400, tells of a group of 30 people from all layers of society who pass the time along their pilgrimage to Canterbury by telling stories to one another, their interaction mediated (at times) by the affable host - Chaucer himself. Naxos AudioBooks' third volume presents the tales of six people, here in an unabridged modern verse translation (by Frank Ernest Hill, 1935). This is an ideal way to appreciate the genuinely funny and droll talent of England's early master storyteller. Seven leading British actors bring the medieval world into the 21st century, and at least in terms of character, not much seems to have changed!

Editorial Reviews:

Geoffrey Chaucers bleak Manciples Tale, with its portrayal of betrayal and revenge, is also a fable of why all crows are black. The modern English translation by Frank Ernest Hill is provided a multi-faceted performance by Sean Barrett, who evokes the different characters and their dramas through exemplary control of voice and tone. In this, another of the medieval masters tales told by 14th-century pilgrims to the shrine at Canterbury, a crow informs the god Phoebus his wife has betrayed him. After killing her and destroying his instruments Phoebus turns on the messenger, plucking out all the white feathers, leaving the bird looking as we know him today.

Members Reviews:

Great edition, just wish

Can't go wrong with Chaucer. Great edition, just wish, they would have split it into two volumes, or maybe even three with the third being the dictionary as a separate book. Would gladly pay extra for having three instead all in one. Happy reading!!!

Chaucer

This book arrived quickly and its in current English. Reading Chaucer is difficult when you're accustomed to reading today's modern literature. But this makes it easier.

Enjoyable

A must read for those who enjoy the classics!

Beware of the sycophant! (this and other caveats)

In the Nun's Priease Tale, Chaucer utters the most startingly 4 words constructed: Beware of the sycophant! Each tale, like the latter, also contains a moral. The best book in the English language this side of Shakesphere.

Five Stars

Nice to listen to every month!

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Canterbury Tales: The Summoner's Tale (Modern Verse Translation)

Author: Geoffrey Chaucer

Narrator: Stephen Tompkinson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-14-13

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This is a story from the Canterbury Tales III: Modern Verse Translation collection.

Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, a collection of narratives written between 1387 and 1400, tells of a group of 30 people from all layers of society who pass the time along their pilgrimage to Canterbury by telling stories to one another, their interaction mediated (at times) by the affable host - Chaucer himself. Naxos AudioBooks' third volume presents the tales of six people, here in an unabridged modern verse translation (by Frank Ernest Hill, 1935). This is an ideal way to appreciate the genuinely funny and droll talent of England's early master storyteller. Seven leading British actors bring the medieval world into the 21st century, and at least in terms of character, not much seems to have changed!

Editorial Reviews:

Some listeners might associate Geoffrey Chaucer and his transcendent Canterbury Tales with required reading - boring, old, suitable only for English class analysis. But get that thought out of your head and prepare to experience Chaucer as you never have before with this rich, theatrical performance of "The Summoners Tale".

Translated into modern English and performed with dramatic verve by skilled voice actor Stephen Tompkinson, this recording brings Chaucers biting satire and witty prose to life in a truly transformative way. Tompkinsons rolling tones are a pleasure to listen to, and he throws himself headfirst into his performance, deftly shading the inhabitants of this story with his nuanced vocal characterizations.

Members Reviews:

Great edition, just wish

Can't go wrong with Chaucer. Great edition, just wish, they would have split it into two volumes, or maybe even three with the third being the dictionary as a separate book. Would gladly pay extra for having three instead all in one. Happy reading!!!

Chaucer

This book arrived quickly and its in current English. Reading Chaucer is difficult when you're accustomed to reading today's modern literature. But this makes it easier.

Enjoyable

A must read for those who enjoy the classics!

Beware of the sycophant! (this and other caveats)

In the Nun's Priease Tale, Chaucer utters the most startingly 4 words constructed: Beware of the sycophant! Each tale, like the latter, also contains a moral. The best book in the English language this side of Shakesphere.

Five Stars

Nice to listen to every month!