Anna and the King of Siam Audiobook By Margaret Landon cover art

Anna and the King of Siam

The Book That Inspired the Musical and Film 'The King and I'

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Anna and the King of Siam

By: Margaret Landon
Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $16.32

Buy for $16.32

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Audie Award Nominee, Inspirational Nonfiction, 2013

Anna Leonowens, a proper Englishwoman, was an unlikely candidate to change the course of Siamese (Thai) history. A young widow and mother, her services were engaged in the 1860's by King Mongkut of Siam to help him communicate with foreign governments and be the tutor to his children and favored concubines. Stepping off the steamer from London, Anna found herself in an exotic land she could have only dreamed. It was a lush landscape of mystic faiths and curious people, and king's palace bustling with royal pageantry, ancient custom, and harems. One of her pupils, the young prince Chulalongkorn, was particularly influenced by Leonowens and her Western ideals. He learned about Abraham Lincoln and the tenets of democracy from her, and years later he would become Siam's most progressive king. He guided the country's transformation from a feudal state to a modern society, abolishing slavery and making many other radical reforms.

Weaving meticulously researched facts with beautifully imagined scenes, Margret Landon recreates an unforgettable portrait of life in a forgotten exotic land. Written more than fifty years ago, and translated into dozens of languages, Anna and the King of Siam (the inspiration for the magical play and film The King and I) continues to delight and enchant readers around the world.

©2011 eChristian, Inc. (P)2011 eChristian, Inc.
Political Science Royalty King
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Anna and the King of Siam

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    94
  • 4 Stars
    61
  • 3 Stars
    34
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    91
  • 4 Stars
    54
  • 3 Stars
    29
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    89
  • 4 Stars
    55
  • 3 Stars
    23
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully told !

I listened twice !! I’ve seen all versions of movie but the audio was better than any screen play !!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The book itself is riveting but ...

The narrator sounds like a disembodied electronic voice. For the first time, I am thinking I would have been better off reading the actual book. I listen to many of the Great Courses books, mostly historical books and thankfully I have never encountered this type of narration because I would,I have no doubt, stopped listening to them. The narration is so distracting that I am not going to continue and will return this book. Live and learn.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Classic

This is one of my favorite childhood books. I'm so grateful this is unabridged and so well done.
We forget that at one point, slavery was not only a law of lands but a hallowed tradition in many lands. The mix of culture here is a brilliant but violent clash. The sense of this woman of one world in another could be a trip to fairy land but it is all real. all in a not very long ago. highly recommended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great 19th Far East Narrative

Interesting background story on the King and I play. Well researched with a lot of personal dialogue between Anna and the Siamese Royals & support. Her position as teacher & associate secretary was important in the transition of the country at a pivotal time when slavery was waning worldwide and at the onset of the evolution of women's role in society was being reconsidered.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Anna Leon Owens

I liked that this book shared more about Anna Leon Owens.I've known her name from movies but this was the first book that gave me more insight into her.I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about her.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Knowing that it is based on a true story captivated my interest. So much better than the movie.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Nothing like the movies!

I enjoyed this story so much I'll go back and reread! The history, the drama and its all true!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

fascinating

I loved this book. it took me into a world both amazing and dreadful. nice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A favorite

I have always loved the story of Anna and the King. This was a refreshing change from the romance of the other versions I have enjoyed. The book appears to have been well researched. I really loved the historical references and timeline. The rights of individuals, especially privileged women and their attitudes was far different from that presented elsewhere.

The narration was precise and smooth. I found myself changing some speaking habits I had become lazy about.

Wonderful experience, will definitely be listening again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So Glad I Found This!

I remember watching the King and I with my mom as a little girl. I am so glad that I found this biographical history of the time that Anna Harriette Leonowens was governess for King Mongkut (Rama IV) of Siam in 1862. She served as governess and personal secretary until 1867 when she left Siam for health reasons. Anna was an amazing woman who had no problem with standing up to the king for herself and for the other women and children under her supervision. I’m not saying she wasn’t nervous about her actions and words to the king from time to time but she did what she thought was right and just. The author’s note at the end was helpful in realizing the research that was done to tell Anna’s story. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!