Ep. 23: That’s Classic: Listening to the Literary Canon

Just the word "Classics" can be loaded: with anxiety, obligation, and bewilderment. Here, our Editors demystify what makes a classic (particularly for the listening experience), and what can make it feel like fun instead of homework. 

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Ulysses by James Joyce

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Emma by Jane Austen

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

The Shining by Stephen King

The Stand by Stephen King

Carrie by Stephen King

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Comedy Sex God by Pete Holmes

Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino

Second Hand Curses by Drew Hayes

Proof of Love by Chisa Hutchinson

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

©2018 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC

Episode 23

This was a fun listen I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, I'm not a classic book person. I'm excited for the next episode to come out.

Definitely worth a listen

Whether you agree with their picks or not, the reasoning behind their choices is solid. They’ve even convinced me to suck it up and give the Russians a shot.

I was a little surprised they didn’t include more gothic literature. Yes, technically Jane Eyre and Northanger Abbey count but most people think Frankenstein, Dracula and The Picture of Dorian Gray. I sincerely hope you do a part 2 for classics because I wouldn’t say I’m very well-versed (I’ve only read what was required in school plus Jane Eyre) in that genre so this was extremely helpful in deciding where to start.

I thought my opinion on classics was a fairly normal one outside of the literary world; just because we call it a classic doesn’t mean it’s any good. The Scarlet Letter ruined my view of classics in high school. This gave me a new perspective without shoving it down my throat.

I would highly recommend this episode if you’re on the fence, especially if you’re like me and think you’re not really a fan of classics.

Classics on Audible

Loved hearing the discussion of what makes a classic. Excited to find some of the ones they talked about on Audible and listen to them.

These women were very knowledgeable!

I really love this episode. Just hearing them talk and engage back and forth with each other was wonderful. You can tell they know their stuff and it made me have a deeper appreciation for the classics. I definitely plan on listening to many of their recommendations. These women are very knowledgeable and it was a joy to hear them articulate their knowledge of these wonderful works of art.

Informative and entertaining POV on classics

I really enjoyed listening to this episode. One, to hear the discussion on what makes a "classic" and help me re-think all these books I read in high school and college. Two, to hear their individual points of view on their favorites..inspiring me to go read/listen to them again! Christina was my favorite! :)

Of course I love this episode. I got to be on air!

You might think an Audible Editor isn't allowed to review an episode of Audicted. You would be mistaken!

Episode 23 is my favorite episode to date because I took Editor Rachel's recommendation to listen to Herman Melville's Moby Dick (I like the alternate title The Whale better, btw. It's cleaner.) I am wholly immersed, which is a humbling lesson; I had previously said that Moby Dick is the one classic I will never listen to. However, as soon as William Hootkins performed the line, "Yes, as everyone knows, meditation and water are wedded for ever," Melville became modern for me.

Also? This episode immortalizes a great day at work for me, so....FIVE STARS!

informative

I found it to be informative. A good thing for people to listen to for information. There is a lot that I don't know about literature as I have spent so much of my life working and didn't take the time to read and I am feeling like I am getting a second chance at a look into something that I missed out on.

Pleasant and Intelligent 1 Hour Podcast

Audicted is a free podcast series where Audible Editors recommend different selections from their collection, with each episode centering around a particular theme. Episode 23 features some editors highlighting some of their favorite classics retold satisfyingly in audio format. Of course they aren't able to list every classic piece of literature Audible offers, but the editors are very good about being up front about that limitation.

This is a solid, pleasant, and intelligent 1 hour discussion to listen to. I personally love re-reading classics that I first read for high school or college; I continue getting more out of them when revisiting them every couple of years.

What audio book adaptations bring to the table, such as what's available on Audible, are its engaging narrations, audio performance adaptations, and allowing audiences to live in these works of literature when our daily lives prevent us from reading all the physical copies we want to. Audio versions can breathe new life into old favorites, make us think about literature in new and interesting ways, and introduce us to new favorites.

Classics mentioned in this podcast episode include:

"Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy,
"Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky,
"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte,
Jane Austen's body of work,
Tony Morrison's contributions,
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and
"Moby Dick" by Herman Melville.

I recommend to all those studying and in love with classic literature.

The intro was so much childlike fluff, I deleted.

The intro opening back patting put me off so quickly I wadded in just a bit further. Then the “smarty-pants” phrase had me up and gone. Don’t plan on tuning into this segment again. Like fingernails on a chalkboard.

Nothing for me

It was really nothing they were talking about things just with no substance at all.