The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman Vol. 1


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(3.5 stars; 23 reviews)

The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (or, more briefly, Tristram Shandy) is a novel by Laurence Sterne. It was published in nine volumes, the first two appearing in 1759, and seven others following over the next 10 years. It was not always held in high esteem by other writers (Samuel Johnson responded that, "Nothing odd can last"), but its bawdy humour was popular with London society, and it has come to be seen as one of the greatest comic novels in English, as well as a forerunner for many modern narrative devices. (Summary from Wikipedia) (5 hr 55 min)

Chapters

Chapter 01-03 8:17 Read by Gesine
Chapter 04-05 7:29 Read by Julie VW
Chapter 06-07 6:35 Read by Julie VW
Chapter 08-09 7:47 Read by Keri Ford
Chapter 10 13:58 Read by Julie VW
Chapter 11 9:47 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 12 11:38 Read by Julie VW
Chapter 13-14 7:05 Read by Keri Ford
Chapter 15 10:06 Read by Julie VW
Chapter 16-17 4:40 Read by Varra Unreal
Chapter 18 13:20 Read by Julie VW
Chapter 19 14:03 Read by Julie VW
Chapter 20 13:27 Read by B. G. Oxford
Chapter 21 18:41 Read by Keri Ford
Chapter 22-23 11:49 Read by Keri Ford
Chapter 24-25 5:27 Read by Varra Unreal
Chapter 26 6:08 Read by Varra Unreal
Chapter 27 11:52 Read by valli
Chapter 28-29 13:29 Read by valli
Chapter 30 17:28 Read by valli
Chapter 31-32 8:48 Read by hefyd
Chapter 33-34 8:18 Read by hefyd
Chapter 35-36 6:48 Read by hefyd
Chapter 37-38 12:38 Read by hefyd
Chapter 39-41 9:56 Read by hefyd
Chapter 42 part 1 28:30 Read by hefyd
Chapter 42 part 2 22:22 Read by hefyd
Chapter 43-44 24:08 Read by hefyd
Chapter 45-47 7:20 Read by Kristine Bekere
Chapter 48-50 7:09 Read by Kristine Bekere
Chapter 51-52 6:31 Read by Gesine

Reviews

Inconsistent reading


(3 stars)

Aside from what the author considers humorous in the 18th century, the reading quality varies greatly- from Hefyd who sounds like the hero come to life and Julie VW with her lovely Irish accent to Verra Unreal who was almost uncomprehensible.

some readers better than others but overall painful to listen to


(2 stars)

Shandy's childhood via memories of his father & uncle, etc.


(4 stars)

This audio version is ok, but some of the readers seem to have regional or colloquial accents that may be difficult even for some British listeners to understand. On top of that the novel itself is rather peculiar but gets better by the end of this volume. Most of the volume seems to be Shandy's remembrance of certain episodes in his childhood, in particular conversations between his father and Uncle Toby. And we are introduced to a Dr Slop and a man named Obadiah who appears to be a clergyman. At least, I think it's Obadiah who at one point delivers a short sermon or lecture.

Atrociously Poor Reading


(1 stars)

The female reader's pronunciation and phrasing made the book almost impossible to listen to. I thought she was bad until I got to chapters 16 and 17. The reader of those chapters was atrocious. I could not understand a word they were saying. I was extremely disappointed and implore libravox to take down this version and re-record this book.


(1 stars)

The female reader was terrible, I couldn't listen to her at all. She pronounced the words so badly I had to go and check the physical book in order to understand what she was trying to say. It's a shame such a great book has been ruined.

16 Chapter 24-25 needs to be recorded again


(3 stars)

Very good readings - the french pronunciation, in particular - with the exception of the reader of 16 Chapter 24-25 who speaks too quickly and with a strong lisp. Please re-record.


(1 stars)

I quit at Chapter 16-17. Maybe it is a kind of performance art to underscore the literary challenge of the text. It was too much for me and my simple mind.


(5 stars)

I was able to read the text alongside the audio in great speed. thanks for this free audio.