I have a notoriously difficult time picking favorites, but audiobooks just might be my favorite way to experience a classic novel. I’m grateful for the talented narrators who bring these works to life. When I’m listening to a classic I haven’t read before, I find that hearing the older language often helps me comprehend it better than reading on the page. When I’m listening to a classic with which I’m already familiar, I can relish the nuances of a narrator’s performance and allow myself to get swept up in the story (while I’m probably folding laundry).
Definitions vary but I tend to think of classics as books that were published over 50 years ago and remain in our literary consciousness. Reading a classic won’t earn you a trophy or gold stars or bragging rights (okay, maybe you’ll actually secure that last one) but as someone with an appreciation for good stories, well told from throughout time and around the world, I relish the variety classics bring to my reading life. (Especially because now that my school days are behind me, I’m free to read what I want to, with no tests or quizzes or term papers due at the end of the book.)
Because many classics are in the public domain, multiple excellent audiobook editions abound at a variety of price points, including totally free. Make sure to take advantage of listening to the sample to figure out which narrator(s) will work best for you.
I hope this collection of classics inspires you to listen to a great story, whether that means trying something new to you or reading something you’ve been meaning to pick up for forty years. Happy listening!
12 classics on audiobook
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Middlemarch
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Anna Karenina
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Their Eyes Were Watching God
East of Eden
David Copperfield
Crime & Punishment
The Count of Monte Cristo
Kristin Lavransdatter
Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset tells the epic story of her heroine in 14th century Norway with great love and attention to detail. Kristin is devoted to her father until she meets Erlend at convent school and marries him against her parents’ wishes. Their passionate but tumultuous marriage leads to seven sons and ultimately estrangement. This is a much-beloved story, all the more impressive given its 1000+ pages. Translated from the Norwegian by Tiina Nunnally.
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Brideshead Revisited
Watership Down
What are your favorite classics on audiobook? Please share in the comments.
P.S. 10 absorbing classics for your autumn audiobook queue, 10 comforting classics to read after you run out of Jane Austen novels, and 6 tips to help you tackle a classic novel.
32 comments
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, narrated by Juliet Stevenson…so so good! I also love her narration of Jane Austen’s novels.
She is so talented! Love everything she narrates.
I have just borrowed Moby Dick to listen to in the car.
I adored Bleak House by Charles Dickens (~33 hours) on audio, I listened to version narrated by Simon Vance.
My favorite is Emma Thompson’s narration of “Emma”!
Good to know. Thanks for the recommendation!
Two of my favourite Emmas together… I will have to try to find this! Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
Bartameus Triology by Jonathan Stroud, narrated by Simon Jones. Listened to this when my kids were young (they’re now out of college) and everyone in the family agrees it’s the hands-down favorite of all time and many of us have returned to listen again and again. Not exclusively for kids — think Harry Potter meets Narnia with a touch of Game of Thrones. Simon Jones is the best in the business and the books live in my head in his voice.
Yes, Richard Armitage and Juliet Stevenson!!
A Christmas Carol- Hugh Grant
I Capture the Castle- Jenny Agutter
Frankenstein, And Then There Was None- Dan Stevens
A Room With a View- Rebecca Hall
Kieron Elliot- Kidnapped
How Green was My Valley- Ralph Cosham
There have been so many good Jane Austen ones- Pike, Barber, Williams, Duncan…
Tie for #1: Pride and Prejudice read by Rosamund Pike and Frankenstein read by Dan Stevens
Anne of Green Gables read by Rachel McAdams
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz read by Anne Hathaway
Ohh this might finally get me to read Frankenstein, something I’ve been meaning to do for ages!
I can attest to Frankenstein narrated by Dan Stevens. I read that version and it was amazing!
You must read Frankenstein, and even check out some of the close reading blog posts on themes. It is a masterpiece that I used to teach to high school literature classes that always became a favorite for deep discussions.
I really wish Rachel McAdams would do Anne of Avonlea as well! And I also have listened to that version of P&P, multiple times. So good.
I haven’t listened to it yet, but Audible has Tom Sawyer narrated by Nick Offerman that’s on my wishlist. Somehow he seems like the perfect fit for that book, and I loved his narration on Lincon in the Bardo.
Jane Eyre read by Thandie Newton is an absolute treat.
Oh, thank you. I’ve been wanting to reread Jane Eyre for a while, and this sounds like a wonderful way to do it!
Tolkien read by Andy Serkis is chef’s kiss!
Parnassus on Wheels (narr. Nadia May) – loved it!
Beowulf (Robert K. Gordon, translator) – I don’t think I would’ve finished it if I’d tried the paper version, but I thoroughly enjoyed having it read to me.
Heart of Darkness (narr. Kenneth Branagh) – an emotionally challenging read, Branagh won me over
A Tale of Two Cities (narr. Simon Callow) – after not liking Oliver Twist and Great Expectations, I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed this one.
I was coming here to mention A Tale of Two Cities but I think the one I listened to had a cast of narrators. Mind you, I think any Dickens is best listened to than read. If you think about it, because his books were published as serials in newspapers, they were more than likely read aloud to a family as an evening’s entertainment.
I truly enjoyed listening to “The Grapes of Wrath” this summer. I last read it over 40 years ago. It meant so much more to me now than it did then. Spoke volumes about our current affairs.
I’ve read 6 of these on audio and thought that format was accessible and enjoyable. I plan on reading The Count of Monte Cristo on audio soon!
What a great list! Of late I have been listening more to books than reading them, enjoying the performances and the fact that it allows my hands to be productive with a knitting project. I have read many of these books but am tempted to experience them again as a listener.
Thanks also to the MMD community for other great suggestions. Tolkien read by Gollum himself? That shot to the top of my list!
Not quite a “classic” by the definition listed above (about 35 years old)- Matilda written by Roald Dahl and narrated by Kate Winslet. She did such a good job with the voices!
Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck narrated by Gary Sinise. Short but powerful.
I’m 2/3 through that version of David Copperfield, and I love it! The bits with the aunt and the donkeys are so hilarious to me.
Check out Jake Gyllenhaal reading “The Great Gatsby”. Magical!!!
Ruby Dee helped me hear the power of Their Eyes Were Watching God. One of my favorites.
West with the Night by Beryl Markham is read by Julie Harris and is a tremendous book. Highly recommend.
The Great Gatsby narrated by Tim Robbins is absolutely phenomenal. 10/10.
Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge, read by John McDonough. Really perfect for a long winter day.
I loved Martin Jarvis’ narration of David Copperfield!
A Tale of Two Cities narrated by Frank Muller. I LOVED IT!!
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