The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins

Wow I love how BJ brings this story to life. You find yourself loving and hating the characters, laughing with them and willing them on. I've listed to this recording multiple times and still come away from it with a smile on my face.
Thanks-you!

A very enjoyable book made all the better by BJ's fantastic reading.

Great story!

A few glitches (double takes) but overall a good read

I listen to audiobooks while on my nordictrack. I am enjoying this audiobook a lot. I recommend it as a very interesting and different detective story.

"The Moonstone" is very cleverly written by Wilkie Collins. The gem itself is one of Alfred Hitchcock's MacGuffins.The real story is in the lives of those involved--their personalities and relationships, which are intricate and entertaining. The narration of this title is extremely well performed by BJ Harrison. He captures the feelings in the characters' dialog.

The humor, tone and time period all come through in BJ's reading. The book has several literary devices typical of the period, for example changing the narrator and "documentary" style of presentation. It expresses the interests and prejudices of the period as well, such as the popularity of amateur natural science research amongst professional classes and the gentry.
It's a little long winded by today's standards, but not tiresome at all. Plenty of plot and character interest to keep the listener engaged.

I very much enjoyed this book, not the story so much but in the old fashioned proper English language that seems to have disappeared. The story was very good though it tended to get a tiny bit tedious in it's detail in places.
It is a book made all the much better by Mr. Harrion's narrative.
All said, I highly recommend it.

Fantastic story, great character interpretations! Thank you so much for turning out such a high quality product!

The novel is light hearted and witty. The reading is exceptional. I highly recommend this audio book.

Can't get over the price for such a high quality and long audiobook. Excellent recording as always.

I loved the telling of this story and the narrative which followed. You really bring The Moonstone to life!
Susan

I've never been that interested in this book or anything by Wilkie Collins for that matter. Collins had that stigma (for me) of having written "classics" and "the first detective novel." Which just killed any interest I'd ever have had because classics and "first ever" books are musty, boring, and stale, right?

I know that isn't true, but I still have a hard time shaking that idea.

However, when B.J. Harrison, narrator extraordinaire of The Classic Tales Podcast offered the first five hours of this book as a free sample I couldn't resist. I soon gave in and bought the entire book based on the strength of Harrison's excellent narration.

I really didn't expect Gabriel Betteredge, the first narrator, to be so funny. He spends his spare time reading and rereading Robinson Crusoe which is his ultimate guide to any tricky decision he must make.

The second narrator is equally hilarious, a maiden aunt whose dedication to the Christian cause is such that she spends a considerable amount of time hiding religious tracts in people's homes to trick them into reading them. I actually laughed out loud at some of the tract names. Now that I think of it, I knew that Collins and Charles Dickens were good friends and I suppose I should have expected a good sense of the ridiculous.

Not every narrator is humorous but the characterization is strong for everyone with Rachel Verinder's emotional outburst toward the end of the book moving me equally as much as did Ezra Jennings' resolute refusal to accept pity for his plight.

Harrison's reading emphasizes humor without being over the top and points out pathos without being maudlin. His reading is the key to my thorough enjoyment of this Victorian tale complete with a family feud, a cursed diamond, and three Indian jugglers who can't be trusted.

The ending was of its time and incredible by today's standards, but I was on tenterhooks as each revelation was made. In fact, I put off listening to a brand new book in a series I love so that I could get to the end of this mystery.

Harrison is offering the entire book for $5 which is an amazing bargain. I'm sure how long that offer will stand so if you're interested check out the link above.

Great story, wonderfully dramatized.

"The Moonstone" is a brilliantly written novel, a classic of the caliber we don't see anymore. It is replete with richly developed characters, ancient Indian Hinduism, British underworld intrigue, high to low British social classes, murder, suicide, dreams, and delusions. Its' setting includes English countryside manor houses, barren windswept cliffs over quicksand bays, seedy docks, rooming houses, solicitors' and moneylender's offices, elegant parlors, rose gardens, and Indian temples.

BJ's rendition of each character is unique and orally appealing. The butler Gariel Betteredge is everything you could hope for in a British butler. Rosanna Spearman shows the lower-class Cockney-type accent. In Sergeant Cuff, one can imagine a Sean Connery. Rachel Verinder is the epitome of young British cultured womanhood. Franklin Blake carries the confident voice of everywoman's romantic young British hero. My favorite BJ interpretation, however, has to be held for his Drusilla Clack - hysterical, spot-on, and as judgmental and unlikable as they come! Brilliaant, BJ, for every character in every way!

You will enjoy this more than you can imagine. Allow yourself many long dreamy morning or afternoon walks to savor this classic, and classicly narrated, gem of British literature composed by William Wilkie Collins in 1868.

Every time you think you have it figured out, a new development throws you off track. The narration combined with the author's wonderful character development makes the ending worth the wait.

If you are still not sure whether to listen to this or not, read Robinson Crusoe!

Always enjoy the reading. Well done

A funny and warm narrator relates this mysterious story and the many characters that it involves. Lots of subplots to thicken the plot and keep your attention. As always, BJ Harrison's reading is classic in itself - just the varied voices and pace that you count on from this gifted reader.