I’m impressed by the undertaking. Neville Jason and Naxos Audio Books have completed an unabridged audio version of Proust’s epic, seven-part novel, Remembrance of Things Past. Proust published the first volume, Swann’s Way, one hundred years ago, in 1913, and completed the last volume, Time Regained, fourteen years later, in 1927. By that time, Proust had a masterpiece on his hands — a very long masterpiece. The classic (available in our collection of Free eBooks) spans some 3,000 pages and contains more than 1.5 million words. Until now, Remembrance of Things Past has never been available in an unabridged audio format, perhaps because it would amount to the longest audio book ever made (or something approaching that). But Neville Jason has pulled it off, producing a 151-hour recording that’s now available on Audible.com. Below, we’ve provided seven free audio excerpts (one from each volume), and if you care to sign up for Audible’s 30-Day Free Trial, you can download any one volume for free. NB: Audible is an Amazon.com subsidiary, and we’re a member of their affiliate program. If Proust isn’t your cup of tea, you can find many other great works in our collection of 630 Free Audio Books.
Related Content:
Watch Monty Python’s “Summarize Proust Competition” on the 100th Anniversary of Swann’s Way
Arthur Conan Doyle Fills Out the Questionnaire Made Famous By Marcel Proust (1899)
I think the recording of Durant’s Story of Civilization might contend as a longer audiobook; anyway, it’s great to see a complete audiobook of Proust’s opus, since I’ve always wanted to read / hear it. I don’t like the narrator much though; I wonder if I will be able to get used to it…. I wish Guidall finished the series instead of falling out after the first volume :(
Why are these recordings now under copyright restriction. I purchased the first 4 volume from Audible.com, before, suddenly, the copyright restriction was applied, and I was unable to purchase the final 3 volumes even though they were in my want list. Is there no way in which an American can purchase these recordings. Thanks.
I really wanted the box-set but could not get it, living in Canada. However, I went to Amazon and purchased the 7 volumes separately, all totalling $401CDN with shipping included. Why pay much more for the box, that you probably cannot buy anyway? :)