Animal Farm by George Orwell narrated by Simon Callow

Screenshot_2019-08-28 Animal Farm - W F Howes Ltd

From Goodreads: “Animal Farm is George Orwell’s great socio-political allegory set in a farmyard where the animals decide to seize the farmer’s land and create a co-operative that reaps the benefits of their combined labours. However, as with all great political plans, some animals see a bigger share of the rewards than others and the animals start to question their supposed utopia.“

My Review

I first read Animal Farm a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, thinking it a very clever tale indeed. I totally understand why Faber and Faber rejected it back in 1944, as it is undoubtedly shining a mirror up against Stalin’s Russia, and of course the Russians where part of the Allies in World War Two.

This was a fabulous audio version of this classic book, narrated superbly by Simon Callow. He brought this story to life so brilliantly with the many voices he performed for the different animals. It was a real joy to listen to, even though it’s not a happy tale.

My first audiobook narrated by Simon Callow but definitely not my last.

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The Third Man by Graham Greene narrated by Martin Jarvis

Screenshot_2019-08-28 The Third Man - W F Howes LtdFrom Goodreads: “Rollo Martins’ usual line is the writing of cheap paperback Westerns under the name of Buck Dexter. But when his old friend Harry Lime invites him to Vienna, he jumps at the chance. With exactly five pounds in his pocket, he arrives only just in time to make it to his friend’s funeral. The victim of an apparently banal street accident, the late Mr. Lime, it seems, had been the focus of a criminal investigation, suspected of nothing less than being “the worst racketeer who ever made a dirty living in this city.” Martins is determined to clear his friend’s name, and begins an investigation of his own…“

My Review

I love it when a book surprises me and this one certainly did that. I was looking for a short audiobook for the challenge, and this one caught my eye on the rbdigital app from the library. I haven’t read anything by Graham Greene before, so really didn’t know what to expect. I also haven’t seen the film of the book either although I’m certain it used to be on TV all the time when I was growing up.

This was an excellent thriller that really did surprise me and cause me to speak out loud when one of the big twists came. I admired Rollo Martins the main character for trying to find out what happened to his friend Harry Lime, but I’m not sure I would’ve done the same thing, especially in post war Vienna when you really didn’t know who to trust.

As always Martin Jarvis’ narration is exceptional, expertly bringing all the characters to life in this short audiobook.

A thriller full of twists, turns and numerous unsavoury characters that I highly recommend.