Lorna Doone [Naxos]

By: R. D. Blackmore

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

Length: 25 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

The Doones are a clan of murdering thieves, and among their victims is John Ridd's father. The strong, noble Ridd determines to avenge his father's death; but his plans are complicated when he falls in love with one of the hated family - the beautiful Lorna. Lorna is promised against her will to another; and that other will not let her go lightly.

Set amid the political turmoils of the late 17th century, Lorna Doone brings West Country history and legends alive with wonderfully imaginative fiction. Brimming with vivid descriptions and cliff-hanging action, it is a true classic of romantic adventure.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

Public Domain (P)2011 Naxos

Critic reviews

"First published in 1869, this great tale of well-born brigandage, yeoman valor and maiden peril set in Restoration England's West Country, Devon and Somerset, gives full expression to mid-Victorian longing for a vanished agricultural past. Its audio form releases the language from the page thanks to Jonathan Keeble, an extraordinarily skilled voice actor who takes on the archaic Devon accent as though born to it - which, as a native of the region, he was. The novel's quietly droll passages and paeans to nature are greatly enhanced by his country aplomb. Moreover, the dialect that snags the reader in print ("Whoy, dudn't ee knaw . . . as Jan Vry wur gane avore braxvass") emerges here as fluid speech, its cadence a joy to hear." ( Washington Post Book World)

A Lovely Romance

In some spots too "wordy" which made those spots slow but a very sweet romance

Amazing performance with authentic accent

I’ve loved this classic for years, but listening to this masterful performance gave me a whole new understanding of the main character, John Ridd. Keep in mind, this book was published in 1869 and set in the late 1600’s, so be prepared to become immersed in the historical setting as narrated in first person by the stalwart, strong, and passionate protagonist. The narration is filled with subtle humor, irony, and poetic descriptions that John Ridd seems to be charmingly unaware that he uses as he chronicles his story. Highly recommend!

I fell in love with this book

I had to restart the first 5 minutes 3 times struggling to catch the dialect of the book and reader. However, after that I listened right along without even noticing the brogue ( other than a particular character whose accent is quite thick.)

The story is a simple romance. What I found so engaging is the capturing in the story of the experiences of rural agrarian life in 17th century southern England. I became enchanted near the beginning of the second segment of the Audible recording where the excitement of harvest is shared by the reciting of harvest chants. This just magic to me in the way the thoughts, beliefs, love and understanding of life is conveyed by the story.

I understand now why Lorna Doone is a famous novel. It may not work for everyone but I'm very glad I listened.

Overlong but enjoyable

Part swashbuckler, part romance, part hymn to the beauty of farm country. It reminds me a bit of Poldark - the original novel, not the TV version(s). Lorna Doone is episodic and a shade too long; what saves it and holds it together is the genial, self-deprecating common sense of the narrator, John Ridd. Jonathan Keeble delivers the entire book in regional dialect. It’s a bit softened, and perfectly understandable, in John’s case, but for the dialogue of some of his fellows, it’s full-blown. (Even there, though, the general sense is always clear.)

One of my absolutely favorite books !

This is a very long book, but it is wonderful. There is an excellent film version done by A&E, but it cannot do justice to the breadth of the original book, which includes a lot of humor as well.

Excellent!

This is one of my favorite books, and it was a delight to listen to this reading! Mr. Keeble did an excellent job capturing the various characters and dialects, as well as the bits of humour and poetry.
The story itself is full of unexpected twists and turns . . . but I won't give away the ending! If you have trouble reading because of the dialect, this is a great way you experience the story!

An overlooked gem!

I had no idea that Lorna Doone was the name of a book...I thought it was a cookie. But the summary hooked me due to my interest in the period of history it covered and I got snagged by the hook of the book (real readers, listeners will know what I mean) by the idea there being pockets of complete lawlessness within the England of my imagination built by Austen, Dickens, Trollope and the like...I couldn't put it down. It's a classic yet unique set up...The protagonist is a staightforward yoeman, and the people working together in their communities being victimized by the Doones, their desperate struggle to pacify or evict the scoundrels by a system of law to which they had no access....Then there is a Romeo/Juliet love story going on as well...Well, it's just all gorgeous!

I recommend this book to any who love the authors I mentioned above. I've listened to hundreds of books and this is my first review...I don't spend my time with flummery. I love the classics and this is one is much overlooked. It may be a true story, it's written as one. Whether it really happened or no, it could have. One man doing his best to fight evil and rescue his girl, with a twist at the end that left me reeling.

An overlooked gem.

A beautiful story, wonderfully read.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would most certainly recommend this book to anyone and have done so. It is so well read, that even my 8 and 12 year old daughters found it engrossing. The accent is authentic, right down to the almost untelligble Yorkshire, spoken by the workers on John Ridds farm. The beautiful sections of poetic descriptions are read with feeling and the different characters come alive under the reading.

What other book might you compare Lorna Doone to and why?

Shirley by Charlotte Bronte is another epic and poetic love story. Although it is set in a later time there is the same variety of characters and breadth of story. The characters are beautifully developed as in Lorna Doone, and the romance, though different in the development, is as touching.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Keeble – was your favorite?

My 8 year old's favourite characters were Lizzie and Annie. She also liked Jeremy Stickles. I had a soft spot for Tom Faggis. His mischief and quirkiness are fun. The 12 year old couldn't get past the chauvinism of the time and so found John frustrating in his attitude to women, but had no real favourite. However the combination of the writing and the excellent reading brought most of the characters to life. Even Tom's horse Winnie is an interesting character.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This is a long story, told in the first person, that covers many years of John Ridd's life. There are good times and bad times. One of the more hilarious scenes is Uncle Reuben coming in on a donkey backwards. The story of the ducks being rescued by Tom is also quite funny. Near the end of the story is a tragic scene, and, even though I had read the book and knew the outcome, the performance still moved me amd my daughters to tears.

Any additional comments?

I loved the book when I read it and renewed my affection in hearing it.

I historical romance that is timeless and lovely

A beautiful story with an excellent narrator. This story is very hard to describe because it seems to dwell in several genres. But it is a romance written by a man that can be appreciated by men and women.

Wonderful

The wit and wonder of words! A celebration of Love and language. The narration is masterful! I loved the book and wondered why after a lifetime I had never discovered it's beauty heretofore.