Do you love reading books yet lack the time to do so? Enjoying some of the best works of literature ever written is now easier than ever thanks to these free audiobooks.
It's rare for someone to go through all the books on their "To Read" list, which typically contains some really good stuff. It's a good thing that audiobooks are available.
Listening to these recordings while you're doing other things is a terrific way to enjoy some of the finest literature is ever written, even if you don't have the time to read a book.
Because these resources are completely free, there are no strings attached. All of these free audiobooks can be downloaded and enjoyed right now.
1) Pride and Prejudice
If you want to read a good love story, you have to think of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. As the novel is written with ironic sarcasm, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are two of the novel's most unforgettable characters.
It has had a profound effect on contemporary love stories, and I can't overstate its significance. An English-accented Karen Savage reads this free audiobook, which is both energetic and not overly dramatic.
2) Heart of Darkness
Francis Ford Coppola's masterwork Apocalypse Now makes extensive use of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. A seemingly regular river excursion in the Congo hides a horrifying journey into the human mind and the darkness that lurks behind men's souls.
The original novella was released in 1902, based on Conrad's own experiences in Africa, and challenges the human condition.
3) Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
This is a wonderful discovery. Children and adults alike love Alice in Wonderland because of its originality. Throughout the ages, Lewis Carroll's amazing stories have had a lasting impact on literature.
The fact that this version is read aloud by Cory Doctorow only adds to the enjoyment. The best Cyberpunk films are also available on our list.
4) A Christmas Carol
Imagining a Christmas ghost story is a fun idea. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens comes to mind quickly. Everyone from loved ones to spirits is involved in this delightful tale. And it never goes out of style.
A personal copy of Dickens' novella was kept by him while he traversed the country reading it. Neil Gaiman (American Gods, Good Omens) reads this new version of the text at the New York Public Library, and it's one of the best performances ever.
5) Nineteen Eighty-Four
In our age of widespread surveillance and censorship, George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four has become a cult classic. You've heard the phrase, "Big Brother is watching you." But why are you so frightened by this?
Orwell's timeless classic is brought to life in this debut audio adaption by the brilliant Davide Niven (The Pink Panther).
6) Brave New World
Even if you've never read a dystopian novel before, Aldous Huxley's vision of the future will stay with you long after you've put it down. You can really get a feel for how Henry Ford's assembly lines had an impact on the character of John the Savage in this book. Even if you haven't read Aldous Huxley's book, this radio drama is worth listening to.
7) The Call of Cthulhu
Lovecraft's Cthulhu tales influenced a new generation of weird fiction writers after his death in 1926. The irrationality that lies behind the world's thin surface has permeated everything from films to books to video games. This is where the Cthulhu mythos got its start, with Tolkien's classic The Call of Cthulhu.
Featuring narration by Torchwood actor Gareth David-Lloyd, this audiobook perfectly complements this spine-tingling story.
8) Walden, Or Life In The Woods
My goal in venturing out into the woods was "to live deliberately, to face only the core truths of life and see if I could not learn all it had to teach me and not discover until I came to die" (J.D. Salinger).
Henry David Thoreau's non-fiction writings are some of the best-known in literature. Gord Mackenzie brings Thoreau's prose to life in a way that is both relaxing and thought-provoking, making it an excellent choice for a book club discussion.
9) The Picture of Dorian Gray
Critics have slammed Oscar Wilde's only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Many of Wilde's contemporaries slammed this stunning tale of beauty, seduction, and corruption despite Wilde's detractors.
This full-cast recording is based on Wilde's 1891 expansion of the original 20-chapter serialization in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine following editorial interference.
10) The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
The nautical poetry by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a lyrical narrative masterclass. Everything from the 1995 film Interview with the Vampire to the 2010 computer game Fallout: New Vegas references this intricate verse. It's only 31 minutes long, yet it's jam-packed with plot and passion.
Final Thought
Full-length audiobooks are the ideal medium through which one can experience the finest works of literature while engaging in other activities such as running, driving, or preparing food.
And this means that you can immerse yourself in classic literature by reading it in the same way that oral storytelling developed: through conversation.
