The Mystery of Edwin Drood


Read by Alan Chant

(4.6 stars; 64 reviews)

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is the final novel by Charles Dickens. The novel was left unfinished at the time of Dickens' death, and readers have often speculated what the ending might have been. The novel is named after Edwin Drood, but it mostly tells the story of his uncle, a Jekyll-and-Hyde-esque choirmaster named John Jasper, who is in love with his pupil, Rosa Bud. Miss Bud is Drood's fiancée, and has caught the eye of the high-spirited and hot-tempered Neville Landless, who comes from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) with his twin sister, Helena, and immediately makes an enemy of Drood. It is hinted strongly that Jasper is the murderer, but it is not known whether Dickens had a surprise in mind. (Summary from Wikipedia) (0 hr 21 min)

Chapters

The Dawn 11:31 Read by Alan Chant
A Dean, and a Chapter Also 32:34 Read by Alan Chant
The Nuns' House 34:05 Read by Alan Chant
Mr Sapsea 29:44 Read by Alan Chant
Mr Durdles and Friend 18:46 Read by Alan Chant
Philanthropy In Minor Canon Corner 30:14 Read by Alan Chant
More Confidences Than One 25:46 Read by Alan Chant
Daggers Drawn 27:15 Read by Alan Chant
Birds in the Bush 43:34 Read by Alan Chant
Smoothing the Way 40:40 Read by Alan Chant
A Picture and a Ring 42:00 Read by Alan Chant
A Night With Durdles 39:50 Read by Alan Chant
Both At Their Best 31:49 Read by Alan Chant
When Shall These Three Meet Again? 39:30 Read by Alan Chant
Impeached 24:57 Read by Alan Chant
Devoted 31:11 Read by Alan Chant
Philanthropy, Professional and Unprofessional 42:41 Read by Alan Chant
A Settler in Cloisterham 23:52 Read by Alan Chant
The Shadow on the Sun-dial 21:37 Read by Alan Chant
A Flight 30:10 Read by Alan Chant
A Recognition 15:40 Read by Alan Chant
A Gritty State of Things Comes On 50:16 Read by Alan Chant
The Dawn Again 53:23 Read by Alan Chant

Reviews

An exceptional recording


(5 stars)

Dickens' final novel, left unfinished at his death in 1870, is a mystery story much influenced by the 'Sensation Novel' as written by his friend Wilkie Collins. The action takes place in an ancient cathedral city and in some of the darkest places in Victorian London. Drugs, disappearances, sexual obsession, disguise and a possible murder are among the themes and motifs. A sombre and menacing atmosphere, a fascinating range of characters and Dickens' usual command of language combine to make this an exciting and tantalising story. Many thanks to Mr Chant for his breathtaking recording. A true delight to listen to. It will appeal to all enthusiasts of classic British literature and to the distinguished listener!

Hours of enjoyment


(5 stars)

This reader was absolutely perfect for this book. The narrator's British accent was perfect for Dickens, and his character voices had all of the color that Dickens is so good at creating in his characters. I'll definitely look for this reader again.

Too bad it wasn't finished


(4 stars)

Nicely read, although I agree that some of the voice characterizations made it hard to understand the words. I also had to adjust the sound files so that they weren't so drastic in volume fluctuations (between deep-chested male voices and quieter narration, for example). My biggest complaint are the bells at the start and end of each file. Nice atmosphere at first, but they got annoying very quickly! I'm glad LibriVox doesn't allow such sound effects anymore.


(5 stars)

Brilliant reading - thank you very much to the reader for recording this, and to librivox for making it available. I appreciated the warnings about how close we were getting to the (unfinished) ending, and the endnotes as well. Thanks again.


(5 stars)

Great recording! Thanks a lot to the narrator! I saw the movie on tv and got curious, and listening to this is even better!

great novel, great reading


(5 stars)

the reader is excellent! now I have to find one of the "finished" versions to listen to.

fabulous


(5 stars)

Well read, and my only complaint about the book is that Dickens did not live to finish it!

One of the BEST READERS, I LOVE to listen to him.


(3.5 stars)