Three Men in a Boat (A CSA Word Classic) [Abridged, Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

Jerome K Jerome (Author), Hugh Laurie (Reader)

Book Description

Series: A CSA Word Classic | Publication Date: August 1, 2008

Three Men in a Boat recounts the semi-autobiographical adventures and misadventures of Harris, George, an unnamed narrator, and the remarkable dog Montmorency during a boat trip from London to Oxford. Harris intended his book to be a travel guide to the Thames Valley, but his publisher found it so entertaining that the book was published as a comic novel and found instant success. Surprisingly modern, marvelously light, and utterly irresistible, it remains one of the most-read and best-loved books of the era.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Jerome's classic British comedy is recounted by House's Hugh Laurie in a marvelously entertaining performance that will bring listeners to the banks of the Thames and carry them away into a world where three men and a dog named Montmorency venture from London to Oxford one sunny day. At just two and a half hours, the journey is short but sweet as Laurie captures the essence of Jerome's touching tale. With his classic witty tone, Laurie dives headfirst into each character, offering his own take on each colorful personality. There is a subtle theatrical aspect at work here as Laurie delivers a knockout one-man show that displays his wide-ranging talent. (Aug.)
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From AudioFile

Fans of actor Hugh Laurie will be thrilled with this classic tale of three English gentlemen and a dog who take a short boat ride on the Thames for a holiday in 1889. The dry humor throughout the gentlemen's adventures is enhanced by Laurie's crisp delivery and jocular tones. Listeners may laugh aloud as they experience the travelers' culinary follies and navigational challenges along their journey. Laurie also expresses a sincere tone of nostalgia as the author who is warmly recounting his exploits with friends--both human and canine. The only flaw with this recording is that it's abridged. The listener is sure to be left wanting to know what parts were left out. K.M.D. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD: 222 pages
• Publisher: CSA Word; Abridged edition (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934997021
• ISBN-13: 978-1934997024
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #619,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sadly short, March 27, 2010

By 

Ash - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Three Men in a Boat (A CSA Word Classic) (Audio CD)

I love the book "Three Men in a Boat", and I love Hugh Laurie's comic timing, so I expected this audiobook to be a riot. When I listened to it I found it amusing, but I was still disappointed. The book is chock-full of hilarious anecdotes and digressions, and almost all of them have been removed from this version. They have left almost nothing but the actual story itself, which unfortunately consists in great part of the narrator saying, "And then we passed Iffley, which is a pretty little town... And Streatley was next..." It didn't even contain Harris's account of his battle with the swans! Hugh Laurie was hilarious, as you would expect from the man who played Wooster to perfection, but the abridgment left much to be desired. I recommend reading the full book instead.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming story and excellent listen, January 14, 2009

By 

Bella - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Three Men in a Boat (A CSA Word Classic) (Audio CD)

I'm an Anglophile, so I was excited to find a very British book being read by my favorite British actor, Hugh Laurie. The text is wonderful, with humor in abundance and lovely descriptions of the England they travel through. The times are represented well, and the language is a delight.

As read by Hugh Laurie, the characters are brought to life in a rich experience. I forget I'm in traffic, and not sculling down the Thames. I definitely recommend this for anyone wanting a relaxing, humorous taste of Merry Old.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dry British humour - to be enjoyed with a cup of tea, December 28, 2009

By 

scientist mom "scientist mom" (United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Three Men in a Boat (A CSA Word Classic) (Audio CD)

I am not fond of audiobooks but this one is a gem. Imagine Mr. Wooster (as in Wooster&Jeeves) reminiscing of a trip with his pals sans Jeeves to get them out of trouble. I am looking forward to Mr. Laurie narrating the Journal of a Pilgrimage (by JK Jerome).