New Reviews: Classics

Narrator P.J. Ochlan splendidly brings to life this classic work, which has also been given the title A RAW YOUTH in some translations. The novel concerns the two desires of 19-year-old Arkady Dologruky: to expose his scoundrel of a father for who he really is and to win the woman he loves. Like many Dostoevsky's works, this audiobook depicts an individual's inner world.... Read More

The cast of this audio production must be commended for undertaking one of the longest novels in English literature. They are successful in capturing Richardson's many epistolary voices. Lucy Scott gives an admirable performance as Clarissa Harlowe; her clear, soft voice captures the earnestness and innocence of the chief character. While Clarissa most often speaks sincerely to... Read More

James's novella is brought beautifully to life by narrator Penelope Rawlins, whose chameleon voice spans continents with ease. While the narrative is performed in an appealing British accent, Rawlins easily moves into American tones when voicing the title character and her suitor, Mr. Winterbourne. As the vivacious Daisy flirts her way across Europe, Winterbourne struggles to... Read More

Narrator Simon Vance immediately places the listener into the action of Dumas's energetic historical adventure. The story takes place during the French Revolution and involves a plot to rescue Marie Antoinette. Vance's narration greatly contributes to the excitement of the novel. He has a consistent serious tone when narrating the events of the story; however, he transforms his... Read More

There is a lively appeal to Alison Larkin's performance of this fine audiobook. She fairly skips through the novel with her clear, glorious voice and her confident portrayal of a broad cast of characters. The pace can, at times, pick up speed and leave the listener bustling to keep up, but, for the most part, Austen's story of Fanny Price's personal journey is engrossing. The... Read More

Narrator Leighton Pugh's quietly expressive vocal style and relaxed pacing help listeners engage with Zola's naturalistic and expansive novel of avarice, poverty, and degradation among all the social classes in nineteenth-century France. Pugh capably meets the dual challenges of illuminating the novel's lush descriptive language and imbuing the large cast with rich vocal... Read More

Listeners will be enchanted by James Warwick's narration of Oscar Wilde's famous and controversial novel. The story involves a man named Dorian Gray who has been corrupted by his youth and physical beauty. Several productions of this classic have already been produced, but Warwick's performance is simply arresting. He narrates in a strong voice with an elegant cadence and vocal... Read More

Colin Farrell's narration of this classic certainly does not disappoint. James Joyce's prose often seems like it was written to be narrated because of its natural musicality and cadence. The story of young Stephen Dedalus, Joyce's first novel is a masterful attempt to capture the mind's eye. Farrell's emphatic, lilting voice follows Stephen's mind into the nooks and crannies of... Read More

Narrator Simon Jones breathes life into the character of English gentleman Bertie Wooster as he tries to assist in three different love affairs--with disastrous yet comic consequences. Jones shines in conveying the superciliousness of Wooster; the level-headedness of his valet, Jeeves; and the crazy antics of the lovelorn. A comedy of errors ensues that only worsens as Wooster... Read More

This is Jackson Crawford's second appearance as translator and audiobook narrator, following THE POETIC EDDA. Rendered with the mnemonic power distinctive in oral literature, the Icelandic saga is a unique experience in listening, a channeling of the ancient roots of storytelling. Crawford, a professor of Old Norse at the University of Colorado, narrates with an ease and... Read More

Stacy Gonzalez superbly re-creates life in an unnamed Midwestern town just before WWI. At the center are 17-year-old William "Willie" Baxter and his bratty, ever-present kid sister, Jane. Their tranquil summer changes when baby-talking, impressively portrayed Lola Pratt and her doglet, Flopit, arrive for a prolonged visit. Gonzalez is an excellent storyteller as Willie and his... Read More

These three works of Plato are given a splendid narration by David Rintoul, as the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, and by Hugh Ross and an ensemble cast, who each portray a different secondary character. SYMPOSIUM is a discourse by several individuals on the nature of love; THEAETETUS concerns the nature of knowledge; PHAEDO discusses the soul and is a dialogue that takes... Read More

Juliet Stevenson provides a compelling narration of Henry James's story about innocence, social class, and morality. The protagonist, Maisie, struggles to preserve her innocence when her parents divorce and her stepparents commit adultery. Seemingly effortlessly, Stevenson changes her voice to match her characters' traits: Maisie's innocent demeanor, her stepfather Sir Claude's... Read More