Billy Budd (Classic Fiction) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Herman Melville (Author), William Roberts (Narrator)

Book Description

Series: Classic Fiction | Publication Date: September 2003

Written some 40 years after "Moby Dick, Herman Meville's "Billy Buddis a moving tale of good versus evil. Set aboard a British navy ship at the end of the eighteenth century, a young, innocent sailor's charm and good nature put the men around him at ease. Ship-life agreed with Billy. He made friends quickly and was well liked, which infuriated John Claggart, the ship's cold-blooded superior officer. Mutiny was a continual threat greatly feared by naval officers. In order to keep crews in their place, even minor offenses, regardless of guilt or innocence, were harshly dealt with. The envious Master-at-Arms - obsessed with the destruction of the "Handsome Sailor" - tormented the young man until his false accusations led to an eventual charge of treason against Billy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up--In this distinguished presentation of Herman Melville's American literary tragedy set during the Napoleonic wars, the voice of actor William Roberts is so firm and knowledgeable that listeners feels as though he is relating his own experiences. He makes subtle voice changes for the speech and emotions of the characters. Being careful not to over-dramatize the story, Roberts allows Melville's own words to take priority and not his interpretation of them. Because Roberts clearly enunciates each syllable, he is easy to understand. With the exception of the word, "lieutenant," there is no noticeable accent to distract students. The overall atmosphere is maintained with a somber tone, but Roberts' somewhat brisk pace keeps it from becoming maudlin. His speed does fluctuate when necessary to present different moods. Periodically a musical interlude is used to foreshadow the upcoming events. An excellent addition to high school library collections.--Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
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From AudioFile

Published more than thirty years after Herman Melville's death, this unfinished novel tells the tragic story of Billy Budd, a sailor pressed into service on the HMS INDOMITABLE, a British frigate. Although popular with his shipmates, Budd incurs the wrath of Master-at-Arms John Claggart, a situation that builds up to a deadly confrontation. Many of Melville's unpolished passages read like philosophical ruminations rather than dramatic narrative. William Roberts uses this to his advantage, narrating with the persuasive tone of a debater. His reading will leave listeners pondering Budd's situation even after the novel is finished. The musical excerpts seem superfluous in the early chapters but underscore the drama later as Budd's situation becomes clearer. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks; Unabridged edition (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9626343001
• ISBN-13: 978-9626343005
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,811,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Books on CD > Authors, A-Z > ( M ) > Melville, Herman

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling and vivacious rendition, November 16, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Billy Budd (Classic Fiction) (Audio CD)

Read and performed by veteran actor William Roberts, Billy Budd, Sailor is the unabridged audiobook presentation of Herman Melvilles maritme classic of a sailor "pressed" into service on the HMS Indomitable during the Napoleonic Wars. Despite his popularity among the crew, Billy experiences ruthless treatment from the ship's master-at-arms, and so follows horrible tragedy. A compelling and vivacious rendition, Billy Bud, Sailor is a recommended addition to personal and community library audiobook collections. 3 CDs, 3 hours and 35 minutes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic tragic story, November 12, 2011

By 

Jeffrey Van Wagoner (Gilbert, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Billy Budd (Classic Fiction) (Audio CD)

This short book (~3.5 hour recording) is by the same author that wrote Moby Dick, but written 40 years later. It is the story of a handsome, good-natured, and naïve young sailor that ends in tragedy. It brings up a true moral dilemma that makes one think.

The narrator is William Roberts, whose voice seems perfect for this story. The audio quality is excellent.

I highly recommend this book either in the audio book format or in written form. It is a true classic and a very short and worthwhile read.