The Odyssey
By Homer, read by Ian McKellen
Penguin Audio
No. 10 on the list of things to do before you die: Read as many of the great literary classics as you can. But who has the time or energy? Listening to “The Odyssey”–the tale of a soldier who endures shipwrecks, angry giants and temptresses as he sails his way back home to his wife–is easier, and thanks to the performance of esteemed actor Ian McKellen, one could argue it’s more intriguing than reading the epic. Here are other must-listen-tos:
The Great Gatsby
By F. Scott Fitzgerald, read by Tim Robbins
Caedmon
After listening to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tale about the wealthy-but-unhappy set, don’t expect to look at your neighbors, co-workers, or perhaps even yourself in quite the same way.
Great Expectations
By Charles Dickens, read by Michael Page
Brilliance Audio
That the wealthy should not be envied was a theme earlier explored by Charles Dickens in his most famous novel, which follows Pip from childhood into adulthood as he hobnobs with the creme de la creme of London society (and a few eccentrics).
The Old Man and the Sea
By Ernest Hemingway, read by Donald Sutherland
Simon and Schuster Audio
The language in this novel about a downtrodden Cuban fisherman may be simple, but Donald Sutherland’s rich voice underscores just how complex the character is.
1984
By George Orwell, read by Richard Brown
Blackstone Audiobooks
Under the scrutiny of Big Brother and the thought police, Winston Smith longs for individualism and freedom.
