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Three Men in a Boat

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

If you've never read anything by Jerome K. Jerome, you'd be well advised to heed this warning by the Glasgow Herald: "It would be dangerous to [listen to] this book in any place––say a full railway compartment––where the reader was not at perfect liberty to laugh as loudly and as long as he chose." The passage of time has not altered that verdict. Here is a perfect picture of those lazy summer days "messing about in boats."

After his final trip up the river Thames with his three companions––Harris, George, and Montmorency the dog––Jerome K. Jerome sat down to write his proposed book, The Story of the Thames. But before he could tackle the work in the serious manner intended, his humor took over and gave birth to a masterpiece of unquenchable comedy. This is a classic of English humor, justifiably loved around the world.

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  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Martin Jarvis's reading of Jerome's late-Victorian comic novel, of three young men going up the Thames in a small boat, is a fine example of how an audio program can provide more, and be more enjoyable, than the printed book it's based on. Jarvis's voice is excellent. His shadings bring out the frequent irony and humor perfectly, but also fit the many serious or semi-serious asides and digressions on history, scenery, and mores. He provides varied voices for the three major characters and accents for the minor characters, all of which seem appropriate to their provenance and social class. He even sings the songs. His performance enhances an already enjoyable original. W.M. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from September 29, 2008
      Jerome's classic British comedy is recounted by House
      's Hugh Laurie in a marvelously entertaining performance that will bring listeners to the banks of the Thames and carry them away into a world where three men and a dog named Montmorency venture from London to Oxford one sunny day. At just two and a half hours, the journey is short but sweet as Laurie captures the essence of Jerome's touching tale. With his classic witty tone, Laurie dives headfirst into each character, offering his own take on each colorful personality. There is a subtle theatrical aspect at work here as Laurie delivers a knockout one-man show that displays his wide-ranging talent.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Jerome exploits an innocuous boating excursion by three gentlemen to comment on the halcyon days of Victorian England. He contrasts the shallow, self-centered upper-classes with England's great power and prestige at the apex of her influence. Carmichael, the quintessential English gentleman, captures perfectly the delicious inanity of our intrepid heroes' conversations and the bemusement of the locals they meet along the way. He conveys beautifully Jerome's evocative, almost wistful, descriptions of Thames-side towns whose august historical pasts illustrate the glory that was Britain. This delightful performance crystallizes the author's humor and vision and is sure to enchant its audience. B.M.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Fans of actor Hugh Laurie will be thrilled with this classic tale of three English gentlemen and a dog who take a short boat ride on the Thames for a holiday in 1889. The dry humor throughout the gentlemen's adventures is enhanced by Laurie's crisp delivery and jocular tones. Listeners may laugh aloud as they experience the travelers' culinary follies and navigational challenges along their journey. Laurie also expresses a sincere tone of nostalgia as the author who is warmly recounting his exploits with friends--both human and canine. The only flaw with this recording is that it's abridged. The listener is sure to be left wanting to know what parts were left out. K.M.D. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:1100
  • Text Difficulty:7-9

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