Faust

By: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Narrated by: Auriol Smith, Gunnar Cauthery, Stephen Critchlow, Hugh Dickson, Anne-Marie Piazza, Sean Barrett

Faust is one of the pillars of Western literature. This classic drama presents the story of the scholar Faust, tempted into a contract with the Devil in return for a life of sensuality and power. Enjoyment rules, until Faust’s emotions are stirred by a meeting with Gretchen, and the tragic outcome brings Part 1 to an end. Part 2, written much later in Goethe’s life, places his eponymous hero in a variety of unexpected circumstances, causing him to reflect on humanity and its attitudes to life and death.

Narrated by:

• Auriol Smith
• Hugh Dickson
• Stephen Critchlow
• Anne-Marie Piazza
• Gunnar Cauthery
• Sean Barrett
• Emily Raymond
• Derek Jacobi
• Samuel West
• Daniel Mair

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2011 Naxos Audiobooks

Critic reviews

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

"If it’s been a while since you tackled Goethe’s Faust - like, forever - don’t wait a moment longer. John R. Williams’s sparkling English translation is delightful, full of wit and delicious rhymes, and would be reason enough to fling yourself at it, but this full-cast production more than doubles the pleasure.... The performances are marvelous, and the sound effects clever and often gorgeous (the choir!).... What a great theatrical experience." (AudioFile)

“Listen straight through and you get a vivid experience of the Faust drama in ways you would not get in any other form. The English translation is mellifluous and not stilted, and the recitation is terrific. Anyone who has appreciated the various settings of Faust by Gounod, Berlioz, Schumann, etc., will revel in the full drama enacted in the spirit Goethe intended.... Highly recommended.” (Grego Applegate Edwards, Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review)

Incredible performance that achieves a great appreciation

This is what Audible can do to enrich one's appreciation of a great work of literature. Even though this is abridged, it is a collaborated, enacted Audible performance by BBC actors who put mere narrators of this work to shame. It is a delight to hear this work performed in this quality. This was my first exposure to Faust, but used my usual strategy of listening while reading simultaneously. It was tricky since the performance was abridged, but I was able to keep up. Now I can return and read the entire work whole with a better sense of how to approach the reading of this wonderful work.

Poor sound quality

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No -very muddled recording with needless background noise

Any additional comments?

Introduction and better sound quality would have helped

Amazing

The narration and sound effects truly lead for an amazing experience. I had of course heard of Faust but didn't know much about it before listening to this version. As a previous review mentioned if you don't know anything about the story it's a good idea to get a basic run through before starting so you won't get lost.

Overall an excellent narration and the story itself is timeless

a headline?

yeah, in 15 words review Faust. If you're interested in this just read it already

Entertaining Faust

The different voices presented dramatic reading of story. The way Goethe would have wanted it.