The Story of Dr. Dolittle Audiobook By Hugh Lofting cover art

The Story of Dr. Dolittle

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The Story of Dr. Dolittle

By: Hugh Lofting
Narrated by: David Case
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No one loves and understands animals like the eccentric 19th-century physician Dr. Dolittle, who masters animal language with the help of Polynesia the parrot. After his human patients desert him, the kind-hearted doctor finds his calling in practicing animal medicine, and his fame spreads far and wide. When a terrible epidemic breaks out among monkeys in Africa, Dr. Dolittle sets out to save them, accompanied by some of his favorite pets. Thus begins the amusing, whimsical adventures of Dr. Dolittle and the animal kingdom.

Hugh Lofting, winner of the 1923 Newbery Medal for The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle, has a gifted knack for imbuing unique, distinct personalities in his characters, human and animal alike.

©1995 Phoenix Recordings (P)2004 Tantor Media, Inc. Originally published 1920. Action & Adventure Animal Fiction Animals Animals & Nature Classics Literature & Fiction Heartfelt

Editorial reviews

Hugh Lofting's The Story of Dr. Dolittle reigns as the first in the beloved Dolittle series. While living with his spinster sister, the doctor realizes he can speak with animals, which leads him into plenty of trouble. David Case is one of the most engaging audio performers. His narration is crystal clear and upbeat, but his caricatures are the real delight. He is a one-man troop of actors, giving each line of dialogue totally unique attributes. When Case has this much fun with the story, so will listeners.
All stars
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This is is a great classic for kids. I first
Heard about this book when mom read
It to Haddie my 3 year old sister. The end. Ezra.

My experience with doctor Doolittle

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David Case (who also widely recorded under the name Frederick Davidson) was the worst possible choice for this children's classic. He seems to have narrated tons of audiobooks and read every one of them in exactly the same mannered style, with the voice of a sneering, supercilious, effeminate headwaiter. (The fact that he was chosen to narrate many of George Orwell's books strikes me as beyond ludicrous, as Case had precisely the cold, snobbish, pseudo-upper-class English accent that Orwell despised.) One also has the sense that Case is reading this material for the first time and just winging it -- which I gather is true of most hardworking professional readers, but the good ones miraculously manage to conceal this fact.

"Dolittle" deserves someone with a warmer voice, a voice intended for children's storytelling. I'm partial to Bernard Mayes, Martin Jarvis, Jonathan Cecil, and David Thorn, having enjoyed a number of their readings on Audible, but there surely are dozens of others equally adept.

Ruined by a dreadful narrator

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Enjoyed the story more than anticipated. This is the 1920 original book recording, and there are several inappropriate racial slurs and one scene (a short, self-contained vignette) that has disturbing racial undertones that could overshadow the positives of the book. If a child is listening to this book, I suggest an adult moderating or discussing those issues when they arise. There are modern versions of Dr. Dolittle that have those portions edited out.

Charming classic

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I know that it isn’t correct to compare what is appropriate for current society with one decades ago however this one really crossed the line. The characterization of Blacks was not just excused as the vernacular of its time. It was plain nasty in intent.

But I gave it a decent rating aside from that criticism. The story was inventive and I think this is one book that should be updated by removing the gratuitous insults.

I would not read it to a child

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