The Agony and the Ecstasy Audiobook By Irving Stone cover art

The Agony and the Ecstasy

A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
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 3 months. Cancel anytime.

The Agony and the Ecstasy

By: Irving Stone
Narrated by: Arthur Morey
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $31.50

Buy for $31.50

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

This is Irving Stone's powerful and passionate biographical novel of Michelangelo. His time: the turbulent Renaissance, the years of poisoning princes, warring popes, the all-powerful Medici family, the fanatic monk Savonarola. His loves: the frail and lovely daughter of Lorenzo de Medici; the ardent mistress of Marco Aldovrandi; and his last love - his greatest love - the beautiful, unhappy Vittoria Colonna. His genius: a God-driven fury from which he wrested the greatest art the world has ever known. Michelangelo Buonarotti, creator of David, painter of the Sistine ceiling, architect of the dome of St Peter's, lives once more in Irving Stone's marvellous book.

©1987 Irving Stone (P)2012 Random House Biographical Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Biography Heartfelt
Captivating Historical Fiction • Rich Character Development • Excellent Pronunciation • Vivid Artistic Descriptions
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
Wonderfully told story about a genius in a time fraught with change
History come to life with Mr. Stone's words.

A beautiful story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I just finished rereading the Agony and Ecstasy in preparation for my upcoming trip to Italy. I first read it during high school as a school assignment. I knew I needed to re-read it before I went to Italy so I would be more familiar with the art and places of Italy. It helped me to get to know Italy and Michelangelo. He has so many wonderful works and it's interesting to hear the background behind the creation of each of them. I was surprised that he lived to be such an old man. No wonder he was able to do so much! What a tireless worker! There is some sensuality and sex, but it is mild and not too graphic.

I feel like I know Michelangelo now

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This audiobook was awesome. It’s long, but gives you such an interesting perspective on Michelangelo’s life. I learned things about him that I didn’t know, like that he was a poet and was made head architect for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The narrator took me a little to get used to. He definitely doesn’t speak Italian and wasn’t always great with the pronunciation, but overall was good. This audiobook is worth the listen!

Amazing, no detail left unwritten

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
One of the most enjoyable books I have ever read. so well developed, I thought I was there!
Going to Italy in several weeks. Can’t wait to see the body of work in real form. Thank you to the narrator; wonderful job!

Outstanding!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Best book ever read, it is a must! You live eat, feel his life and the ERA!

Amazing!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A delightful book, to enjoy end to end!!
Um delicioso livro, para aproveitar do início ao fim!

Amazing book / Fantástico livro

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in the life and work of Michelangelo Buonarrotti.

Brings the Master to life

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Una obra maestra ! Te lleva de la mano con pasión durante todo el libro, lo que hace difícil dejarlo a un lado !

Una vida única

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is trully such a great listen on almost all levels.Its emotional,intellectualy satisfying,historicly wonderous,spiritual.ect.ect...Also I strongly disagree with the reviews trashing the narrator.I found him wonderful and even hunted for other books he's read...this realy is a great audiobook...enjoy.

a simply wonderful listen...

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

What did you love best about The Agony and the Ecstasy?

I was not aware of the body of work that he had. Very impressive. The history of the period added a great deal to the story as well.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I did not like hearing Michelangelo voiced as a whiney individual without a will motivation.

Who was the most memorable character of The Agony and the Ecstasy and why?

Contesa was my favorite.

Wonderful in depth story about Michelangelo

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews