I don't know about the content...

I was really looking forward to this epic listen! But I just couldn't get on with the narrator - found his voice incredibly irritating - so gave up about half an hour in. Would urge others to listen to the short excerpt to judge for themselves whether they feel the same.
If you don't find him grating, go ahead and purchase this - it is excellent value for a classic and lengthy novel(s)

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13 people found this helpful

Speed up the Narration

Just one more comment on the narration. I agreed with a previous reviewer who said that if you speeded up the playback it wasn't too bad. Williams is not an ideal narrator, and certainly doesn't take much trouble to differentiate the voices of the various characters, but his rather grim tone actually matches the feel and content of the novel quite well. For the money I would still say it is worth it, considering that the next cheapest option is David Case, who is rather mannered and becomes a bit wearing in the course of a long novel--as I can attest as one who listened to his unabridged version of Les Miserables. If you want Peter Joyce you have buy him at a rate of something like two pounds an hour, since every book in his narrated version is sold separately, unlike this complete version.

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Dull reading of a good story

The narrator wasn't great...definitely listen to the clip and see if you can cope! The chapter ends/beginnings were really aggravating because there is no gap whatsoever between the last word of one chapter and the beginning of the next. Particularly annoying in a book....which...is...otherwise...read...in....a slow...and...funereal....mannerChapterForty-Five. See what I mean?? However it is great value in terms of listening time, and the book is good if you can get past the narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

Good story, don't be put off by bad reviews

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is an ideal listen for someone who likes long family sagas or remembers the tv adaptations.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Fred Williams?

I do agree with some other reviewers that the narration is a bit laboured and lacking emotion but this is greatly improved by speeding it up to 1.5 times. It may have been a bit more enjoyable if narrated by someone else such as Jonathan Jonathan Oliver (Long Summer Day) or Alex Jennings (The Clifton Chronicles). However the story is interesting enough to carry on.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The book is in four parts. I am only about half way through, but enjoying it. It is not one that I feel I need to listen to for hours on end, but is good to listen to whilst walking to work.

Any additional comments?

At over 40 hours long this book is good value.

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Wonderful book but worst narration ever.

Worst narration spoils. A wonderful writer. Made this unlistenable. I have this ofn cassettes unabridged and beautifully read but I need to transfer to iPad. This is a wonderful story that I return to often. But I can't listen to this as it sounds as though the narrator Has only just learned to read with a pause between each word. And no expression or intonation. I tried different speeds but that didn't help

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The Forsyte Saga

I don't want to listen to anything else read by this actor. He spoiled an excellent book.

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17 people found this helpful

Depressing!

Wonderfully written, such rich expression of thought. But the thoughts.... Excruciating nihilism, human nature at its worse hopelessness. If you desire an uplifting reading, don't read this. The reader does a great job at pushing the depressing picture of English society at the turn of last century. All is told in this mournful voice. It makes you want to scream at times. Even the description of the \"good characters\" is depressing.
It was painful to listen until the end. Nothing good happens to anyone in this book. Recommended only for times when nothing can spoil your mood. Definitely a good plunge into beautifully written English.

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2 people found this helpful

one of the most boring readings I have heard

This was indeed good value for a monthly purchase, and the writing is excellent, but the slow flat interpretation tempted me again & again to abandon the book.

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9 people found this helpful

A very depressing account

The more one listens to it, the more one feels down...At the end, one has to stop and delete it all together. Good luck to you

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Superb!

I have loved the saga since I was young and have read it several times. This is my first listening. The narrator is perfect for the period: he talks slowly and distinct - allows you to absorb and think about the characters. The victorian period is not suited for a speed-reader! Perfect for a long time-knitting and other tranquile moments..

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