
Great French and Russian Short Stories, Volume 1 (Unabridged Selections)
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed

Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $33.90
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Walter Zimmerman
-
Jim Killavey
-
By:
-
various
About this listen
No one plumbs deeper depths of the psyche than French and Russian authors. This wide-ranging collection of 19th-century literary masterworks, presented in their entirety, not only entertains, but provides insight into 19th-century mores and the mysteries of human nature.
The short stories presented in this volume include eight by Guy de Maupassant: "Love's Awakening", "Useless Beauty", "In the Moonlight", and "The Horla". Also included are "The Thief" and "The Wedding" by Fyodor Dostoevsky; "The Mysterious Mansion" and "Christ in Flanders" by Honore de Balzac; "The Bet", "The Kiss", "The Lottery Ticket", "A Work of Art", and "The Slanderer" by Anton Chekov; "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol; "Zodmirsky's Duel" by Alexander Dumas; "The Shot" by Alexander Pushkin; "The Long Exile" by Leo Tolstoy; "The Thief" by Fyodor Dostoevsky; "Captain Burle" by Emile Zola, "The Wedding" by Fyodor Dostoevsky; and "In the Moonlight" by Guy de Maupassant.
Public Domain (P)1982 JimCin RecordingsEditorial reviews
Timeless masters in their own right, the composers of these short classics would bear increasing influence on future generations of English-speaking authors, their impact reaching the varied fields of existentialism, surrealism, and absurdism. Performers Jim Killavey and Walter Zimmerman take turns delivering this eclectic mix of short stories, which includes humorous parables from Anton Chekov and Guy de Maupassant, rollicking adventures from Alexander Dumas, and the tremulous psychological exposés of Fyodor Dostoevsky. A veteran performer of Russian masterworks, Zimmerman shows a knack for accents and role-playing while maintaining a quick-clipped clarity. Killavey recites the French greats in his clear, eloquent baritone. A seasoned performer, Killavey was instrumental in the movement toward recording the classics in an unabridged format.
What did you love best about Great French and Russian Short Stories, Volume 1 (Unabridged Selections)?
The recording seems to be a little dated and tinny which may account for previous reviewers withholding stars. But the readers are skilled and they don't over-dramatize the prose.It's a good collection and encompasses a variety of themes - most are dryly funny or ironic, a few are tragic, one is hopelessly sentimental. The stories are all entertaining and are a wonderful exposure to French and Russian authors without committing 20 hours at a time. I'll be looking for more like this.
Entertaining
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Some hits, some misses, but worthwhile
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Good listen
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Indeed, the readers butcher the Russian names - something dreadful. I understand that it is impossible for an American to roll "R"s or pronounce a hard "L". But it behooves a reader to find out where to place an accent.
Mari'a Gavrilo'vna really grates on the ears of anybody even slightly familiar with Russian language. Oh yes, it should be Ma'ria Gavri'lovna.
I should have read the reviews
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great Literature / Terrible Readers
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.