Preview
  • The Charioteer

  • By: Mary Renault
  • Narrated by: Joe Jameson
  • Length: 14 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (253 ratings)

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.

The Charioteer

By: Mary Renault
Narrated by: Joe Jameson
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.30

Buy for $24.30

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.

Publisher's summary

After surviving the Dunkirk retreat, Laurie Odell, a young homosexual, critically examines his unorthodox lifestyle and personal relationships, as he falls in love with a young conscientious objector and becomes involved with a circle of world-weary gay men.

©1955 Mary Renault (P)2014 Audible Studios
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Featured Article: The top 100 classics of all time


Before we whipped out our old high school syllabi and dug deep into our libraries to start selecting contenders for this list, we first had to answer the question, "How do we define a classic?" The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might guess, though there’s a lot to be said for the old adage, "You know it when you see it" (or, in this case, hear it). Of course, most critically, each of our picks had to be fabulous in audio. So dust off your aspirational listening list—we have some amazing additions you don’t want to miss.

What listeners say about The Charioteer

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    185
  • 4 Stars
    36
  • 3 Stars
    23
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    188
  • 4 Stars
    30
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    173
  • 4 Stars
    36
  • 3 Stars
    18
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    3

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

True Classic

This is a must. Mary Renaults way of bringing characters to life is brilliant. A simple story of life that draws you in to hang on every detail.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

I think I’ve seen this episode

An enjoyable book, the WWII spin on a love triangle. Nail biter happy ending. Not a war story. It gets a little soapy by the 3/4 mark but still a worthwhile read/listen

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

Perhaps my favorite novel

Wonderfully full of longing and of a misguided desire to protect. The reader’s performance was a little stiff - Ralph’s voice not quite believable. Still, I’d listen to it all over 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
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A breathtaking masterpiece

It’s been on my wish list for years and I’m beyond thrilled I finally heard it. This book is a classic for good reason — undeniably human to its core, and simultaneously relatable and a fascinating look at an astoundingly different world

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

Requires quite attentive listening

For me at least the story was at times difficult to track or absorb at my usual listening pace. Some readers may find it helpful to slow down the narration speed to better understand some dialogue and character interactions or to put it plainly for some instances - what the hell is going on!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

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

Cool!

Cool! What a book. Skillfully written and skillfully performed. I highly recommend this book. Good stuff.

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 struggle at first. But then it pulls you in.

Amazingly well done. Psychologically comparable to Gone w/the Wind in many ways. Truly exceptional!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

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

Beautifully written and narrated

This is a beautiful book and the narration is heartbreakingly good. Joe Jameson is an incredible actor. Highly recommend!

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

Heartbreaking

What a horrible time to be gay. it made me really sad to think about how they had to live their lives.

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

Fantastic story

I loved reading this. Came to it by recommendation, and cannot fathom having lived without reading. The writing style was excellently worded and well covered intricate portions of closeted speech. This author has many books and this is by far my favourite piece I've yet covered from her. The story reminisces moments in my own life which truly makes this stunningly special. 10/10

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!