Preview
  • The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye

  • By: A. S. Byatt
  • Narrated by: Virginia Leishman
  • Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (172 ratings)

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The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye

By: A. S. Byatt
Narrated by: Virginia Leishman
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Publisher's summary

Glowing with narrator Virginia Leishman’s finely tuned phrasing, The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye is the perfect introduction to A.S. Byatt, an author who continues to receive international awards and acclaim. Her wondrous fairy tales are iridescent stories full of spells, marvelous creatures, and beautiful princesses. The title tale focuses on Dr. Gillian Perholt, a narratologist. The sturdy, middle-aged scholar travels the world, speaking at international conferences about the art of storytelling. She immerses herself in the study of fabulous, archetypical heroes: patient Griselda, lovely Scheherazade, brave Gilgamesh. But when she is given the fairy tale’s three wishes—chances to alter her own story, the choices she makes are both timeless and surprisingly unique.

A.S. Byatt, whose imaginative novels sparkle with layers of imagery and drama, focuses on the magic that is created each time a storyeller speaks. The five stories that comprise The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye are as fascinating and finely crafted as ivory puzzles.

©1994 A. S. Byatt (P)1997 Recorded Books, LLC
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What listeners say about The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye

Average customer ratings
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Rich and Elegantly Told

Such a visual, tactile story. It almost made me believing in magic and fairy dust again!

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Modern Fairy Tales

Magic and delight await in this collection of short stories. There is the Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye, which was made into the movie Three Thousand Years of Longing, a lovely layered story. The other short stories contain gorgeous language, complex characters, and delightful plots. I highly recommend.

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A Wonderful Collection of Stories

Idris Elba brought me here and I am so happy that he did! This is a delightful collection - both the stories themselves and the performance. I highly recommend it!

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not a clean recording

it was odd that I could hear talking and movement in the background, it was more recorded cleanly, but she was a lovely narrator.

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Modern fairytales

Modern fairytales retaining the older form
Well worth a read or listen for fans of fairy tales

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The last story

The last story- The djinn and the nightingale was my favorite. It was a good story.

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Saw the movie and RAN for the book.

Let me just say this is such a beautiful collection of stories. I initially started listening to this as a form of bedtime story to soothe myself to sleep. I had saw the movie 3000 years of longing and needed to see more of this Djinn story. When I tell you the movie just touches the surface that this book brings I am not exaggerating. The story is magical and beautiful and honestly even though I am a young man I feel most connected to Jillian. You won’t be Disappointed reading this story! Makes me want to find my own genie in a bottle

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Like fresh air

Fall in love with books again. These stories are enchanting! Found this book from the movie “Three thousand years of longing” & I’m so glad I did!

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The last story was absolutely beautiful.

This was a great collection of short stories and I enjoyed the last one the most. The narrator also did a great job of portraying each word with care.

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Simply lovely

This is one of my favorite of Byatt’s books, and I wanted to refresh it in my mind before watching the film version. I decided to try the audiobook, and I’m quite glad I did. The narrator perfectly captured the tone of the stories and the personalities of the characters. I shall look for other books she’s read.

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