Bartleby, the Scrivener Audiobook By Herman Melville cover art

Bartleby, the Scrivener

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Bartleby, the Scrivener

By: Herman Melville
Narrated by: B.J. Harrison
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The life of a scrivener can be a dull one. After all, your entire occupation has to do with the handwritten copying of law documents. But when Bartleby arrives, he turns the office upside down with the enigmatic phrase: “I prefer not to.”

Public Domain (P)2008 B.J. Harrison Anthologies Anthologies & Short Stories Classics
Humorous Storytelling • Haunting Narrative • Classic Masterpiece • Entertaining Interpretation • Commanding English Accent
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Very well spoken, a very good story. A good example of gothic office fiction. yay!

good story

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This story should be a prologue to Moby Dick as it captures the humorous and dramatic tones as well as the main themes prevalent in Melville's masterpiece. the narrator's performance is also very entertaining and conveys, with great attention, the tone of the characters and story.

a must listen!

great literature and wonderful narrator

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This was a very interesting tale about humanity and our responsibility to our fellow man.

So Melville doesn't just write about the sea.

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What a great character. So iconic. Dark comedic storytelling it super on point, even over a century later. I love this one. Narrator is good, though sometimes he glazes over some of the subtler sections. [AUDIBLE]

Iconic Character, Still Funny Over a Century Later

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I feel a sense of connection to this short, touching, and at times hilarious tragedy of life (and the frequent lack thereof) in the society of the backroom of a professional office. I appreciate the story so much, I own two different Audible versions! Probably similar to others who, like me, have found themselves in such places,
I identify with, at times, not only with the well-intentioned yet exasperated narrator, but also with the self-alienated Bartley and even the hopelessly comic fellow clerks. I think it’s what a 19th century an episode of “The Office” might have looked like.

A funny, sad, and powerful tale of humanity in the modern workplace

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Very well written and narrated story. This version is inexpensive and better than other that cost more money.
B.J. Harrison does a wonderful job.

Masterful storytelling

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I enjoyed listening to the narrator and the story seemed to be well written but it was I guess a little two deep for me not really sure of the appeal. maybe it's a comment on the humans distain for change.

not my cup of tea

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I would prefer not to at this time. I would prefer not to at this time

I would prefer not to

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Bartleby refuses to do things he'd rather not do. His boss knows not what to do in response. Is his refusal protest or laziness? A very interesting quick listen.

Can refusal be protest?

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The narrator is very good, and the other versions are far too pricey for a tale of this length.

Listen to this version

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