The Wake
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Narrated by:
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Simon Vance
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By:
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Paul Kingsnorth
About this listen
In the aftermath of the Norman Invasion of 1066, William the Conqueror was uncompromising and brutal. English society was broken apart, its systems turned on their head. What is little known is that a fractured network of guerrilla fighters took up arms against the French occupiers.
In The Wake, a postapocalyptic novel set 1,000 years in the past, Paul Kingsnorth brings this dire scenario back to us through the eyes of the unforgettable Buccmaster, a proud landowner bearing witness to the end of his world. Accompanied by a band of like-minded men, Buccmaster is determined to seek revenge on the invaders. But as the men travel across the scorched English landscape, Buccmaster becomes increasingly unhinged by the immensity of his loss, and their path forward becomes increasingly unclear.
Written in what the author describes as "a shadow tongue" - a version of Old English updated so as to be understandable to a modern audience - The Wake renders the inner life of an Anglo-Saxon man with an accuracy and immediacy rare in historical fiction.
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Performance
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The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor. Included on the recording are several shorter works. The Ainulindalë is a myth of the Creation and in the Valaquenta the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Akallabêth recounts the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age, and Of the Rings of Power tells of the great events at the end of the Third Age.
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TIPS when reading this book:
- By Anonymous User on 06-29-23
By: J. R. R. Tolkien, and others
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The Playboy of the Western World
- By: J.M. Synge
- Narrated by: Orson Bean, Alley Mills, Full Cast
- Length: 1 hr and 37 mins
- Original Recording
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Orson Bean and Alley Mills star in the story of a man who becomes the town hero after he boasts of murdering his father. Riots greeted the first performance of this 1907 comic masterpiece of the Irish Literary Renaissance. L.A. Theatre Works reprises the Pacific Resident Theatre's acclaimed production.
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Brilliant
- By Michael Burke on 04-11-19
By: J.M. Synge
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Lavinia
- By: Ursula K. Le Guin
- Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Highly acclaimed author Ursula K. Le Guin lends a resonant voice to a pivotal yet often overlooked character of Vergil's The Aeneid. Born into peace and freedom, Lavinia is stunned to learn that she will be the cause of a great war - or so the prophecies and omens claim. Her fate is sealed, however, when she meets a man from Troy.
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Fascinatingly well written
- By Kennet on 03-11-09
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The King Must Die
- By: Mary Renault
- Narrated by: Michael York
- Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins
- Abridged
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This is the story of the young Theseus: Prince of Troizen, King of Eleusis and Athens, and slayer of the Minotaur. Acclaimed novelist Mary Renault weaves myth, legend, history, and fiction into the story of a young hero's search for his destiny and the countless challenges he faces. From Theseus's early life as a prince, to his leadership of a captive team of bulldancers in Crete—not to mention his thrilling encounters with Poseidon—The King Must Die captures the full force of adventure, battle, and an epic quest.
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Poetic and short
- By Ben on 04-07-24
By: Mary Renault
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She And Allan
- By: H. Rider Haggard
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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She and Allan is a novel by H. Rider Haggard, first published in 1921. It brought together his two most popular characters, Ayesha from She (to which it serves as a prequel), and Allan Quatermain from King Solomon's Mines. Its significance was recognized by its republication by the Newcastle Publishing Company as the sixth volume of the celebrated Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy Library series in September 1975.
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Best of the Trilogy
- By emett holloway barfield III on 05-26-19
By: H. Rider Haggard
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Sumerian Mythology: Fascinating Myths and Legends of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes and Monster from the Ancient Mesopotamian Sumerian Mythology
- By: Simon Lopez
- Narrated by: Neil Hamilton
- Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Do you know that the Sumerians believed that: The moon was actually a god child conceived unintentionally by the God Enlil and a maid? Or that humans were first created to do the chores on earth for the Gods and Goddesses? The ancient Sumerians lived a difficult life, and this is reflected in their myths. However, also reflected in their stories is their love for justice and the values which they most supported, among them beauty, honor, and truthfulness.
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Not a True Mythology
- By Glenda Nichols on 05-21-19
By: Simon Lopez
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The Pilgrim's Progress (AmazonClassics Edition)
- By: John Bunyan
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Plagued by spiritual anguish, devout everyman Christian fears his fate in the sinful City of Destruction. He’s told that only by embarking for the Celestial City can he achieve personal salvation. After his wife and children refuse to join him, he sets forth alone into the unknown. Mocked for his faith, tempted at every turn, and heartened by fellow pilgrims, Christian’s winding journey toward grace unfolds. But as he reaches Mount Zion, his family chooses to follow the same treacherous path, hoping to join Christian in the shining light.
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Best version I have heard
- By Julie Rae Loving on 11-09-19
By: John Bunyan
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Blood on the Blade
- New World, Book 1
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Erik and his family are Norse who live on the island of Orkneyjar. Their world is thrown upside down when the King of Norway colludes with their jarl to take over their home. They flee to the land north of Mercia. Hoping for a life free from the tyranny of a King, they have to fight Danes and Saxons. When King Harald of Norway sends ships to destroy them, the Clan of the Fox is forced to flee to the newly discovered land of ice and fire. They travel beyond sight of land into an uncharted ocean to face a future which is uncertain.
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EPIC!
- By Damon Edwards on 10-11-19
By: Griff Hosker
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Norse Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Norse Folklore Including Fairy Tales, Legends, Sagas and Myths of the Norse Gods and Heroes
- By: Matt Clayton
- Narrated by: Dryw McArthur
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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The stories from Norse mythology linger in our culture today. Four days of our week are named after members of the Norse pantheon (Tyr, Woden (Odin), Thor, and Frigg). Wagner’s Ring Cycle has kept one version of one of the great Norse stories alive in the minds of music lovers. Fans of modern fantasy will find many echoes of the Norse tales as well. Something in these old and puzzling stories still has the power to move and unsettle us and to inspire new acts of creation. This audiobook will give you a brief introduction to some of the best-known myths.
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Good stories.
- By Mario Ramos on 05-16-18
By: Matt Clayton
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Japanese Fairy Tales
- By: Yei Theodora Ozaki - translator
- Narrated by: Leslie Bellair
- Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Here are 22 charming Japanese Fairy Tales, translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, including "My Lord Bag of Rice", "The Tongue-Cut Sparrow", "The Story of Urashima Taro, the Fisher Lad", "The Farmer and the Badger", "The Shinansha, or the South Pointing Carriage", "The Adventures of Kintaro, the Golden Boy", "The Story of Princess Hase", "The Story of the Man Who Did Not Wish to Die", "The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moonchild", "The Mirror of Matsuyama", and more.
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Nice book, wish the narrator spoke Japanese better
- By Ben on 01-31-17
What listeners say about The Wake
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Nathan Condon
- 08-05-22
Insanely Good!
Never have I read something so compelling in fiction. I look forward to the other books in the Trilogy.
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- VStamper
- 03-30-24
Unbelievable narrator, for writing that makes one feel high
Unbelievable narrator, for writing that makes one feel high. Incredible. Paul Kingsnorth is a genius. What more can I say?
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- Craig
- 07-11-16
Please…get me out of his head!
Simon Vance does a superb job (as usual) narrating this microscopic examination of British history. The timeframe, 1066-1068, captures all the pain and suffering of a people vanquished by an invading army.
However, we see most of this turmoil through the eyes, and in the mind of, Buccmaster, a farmer who has gone insane after experiencing the tragic loss of his land, wife and sons. For awhile this is an acceptable strategy to convey the story to listeners, but it eventually unravels when we figure out that there will be no redemption for Buccmaster or his scorched landscape. He merely mutters inconsistent babbling towards the end, thinking himself some kind of resurrected ancient god.
The "Wake" is meant to represent the aftermath of the Norman Invasion, but it is also a metaphor for the death of rationality in Buccmaster's mind. At some points this was grating. I considered returning the book, then thought better of it, reminding myself that history (fictional or otherwise) is good for the soul.
I give this novel one scythe up and one down.
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10 people found this helpful
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- Book Buddy
- 01-11-24
Unveiling Complexities of the Middle Ages
Simon Vance's narration is a poetic masterpiece, breathing life into the words of this Middle Ages tale. The author crafts a vivid world where characters grapple with profound themes:
• A timeless struggle between monotheism and ancient polytheistic beliefs unfolds, delving into the complexities of faith.
• Emerging leaders guide those seeking direction, illuminating power and followership dynamics.
• Women and children endure harsh treatment, exposing the harsh realities of their time.
• The handling of mental illness remains a mystery, unrecognized until it is completely out of hand.
• The story explores the acceptance of violence, even beyond the confines of warfare, as a means to take back, protect or expand territory.
Vance's narration and the author's storytelling combine to create a thought-provoking journey through the complexities of the Middle Ages.
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- Mike Luster
- 01-09-24
An outstanding achievement
This glorious performance is worthy of this fine book. Kingsnorth created a layers-deep rendering of Anglo-Saxon life and struggle.
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- Beek2350
- 10-02-17
Great Ideas Wasted by a Bad Ending
I was excited by this book. I had read some of Kingsnorth's latest book, CONFESSIONS OF A RECOVERING ENVIRONMENTALIST, and some smaller pieces. I thought I would give this book a try. At first, I was really excited by the book. The creation of a pseudo Old English language was a very creative way to add depth to the story and make it seem as though I had, indeed, stepped into a different place and time. The ideas in the book, particularly those of religion and place, were also interesting. But the ending was terrible. The best way I can describe it is that it was as if I was reading LORD OF THE RINGS and the entire story just ended right when Frodo and Sam were caught by the orcs while in Mordor. There was no resolution and hardly even a climax. Maybe another comparison would be with MONTE PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, when everything just stops, leaving you completely hanging. It's just not as funny. The Narrator did a fantastic job at portraying the main character in both speech and emotion. He gets 5 stars. But, as much as I like Kingsnorth's ideas and creativity in this story, the story itself was a flop.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Basil Sands
- 02-25-16
Very interesting story, Excellent performance!
Any additional comments?
Well written, intriguing story with an interesting mix 11th century Anglo-Saxon and Middle English with enough modern phrasing and words to render it understandable to a 21st century listener/reader.
Speaking of listener/reader, Simon Vance's narration of this book was absolutely remarkable. He took a very difficult text, and transported me back nearly a thousand years. Very good indeed.
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7 people found this helpful
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- Nac
- 08-03-16
Natural Narration
The Wake takes place in and around 1066. The grammar can throw you off initially, but is still great, makes it better to hear Buckmaster of Holland. Simon Vance's work as narrator is what makes Buckmaster. Paul Kingsnorth work naturally comes to Simon Vance. If medieval history from a different perspective is what you're looking for, The Wake is amazing, if you'd like to hear it, this is the version to play.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Everett L. Owen
- 08-23-21
Amazing Narration
The story is a decent one even if it asks you to identify with a real piece of shit, but the narration is literally the best I've ever heard. The narrator takes an intentionally difficult book and makes it all sound so easy and natural.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 11-09-21
Not What I Expected
It was more literary/rhetorical work than medieval war story. The final act really saved it but I thought the middle was kind of a slog. Narrator is A+ at least.
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