Kim

By: Rudyard Kipling

Narrated by: Sam Dastor

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Kipling's masterpiece Kim is his final and most famous work and one of the first and greatest espionage stories ever written. It explores the life of Kimball O'Hara, an Irish orphan who spends his childhood as a vagrant in Lahore. When he befriends an aged Tibetan lama his life is transformed as he is requested to accompany him on a mysterious quest to find the legendary River of the Arrow and achieve Enlightenment. The pilgrimage will take them across the vast continent, across rivers, and up the Himalayas.

While Kim wishes to take part in the imperialistic Great Game, learning espionage from the British secret service, he feels spiritually bound to the lama. Kim has a difficult choice to make: his companion or his country?

A rich and colourful depiction of India's exotic landscape and culture in the imperialistic world of the late 19th century, this audiobook celebrates their friendship and explores a young man's quest for identity.

Rudyard Kipling was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist who was the first English language author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Some of his most memorable works include The Jungle Book and Just So Stories.

In 1998 Kim was ranked at Number 78 on the Modern Library's list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. In 2003 it was listed on the BBC's The Big Read poll of the UK's 'best-loved novel'.

Narrator Biography

A Cambridge graduate who trained at RADA under the direction of Sir Laurence Olivier, Sam Dastor has long featured on screen and stage. He is best known for The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004) and for twice portraying Gandhi in both Lord Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy (1986), and Jinnah (1998).Sam Dastor has starred in many West End productions with roles such as Ariel in The Tempest, and Orlando in As You Like It. His most recent work has included starring on stage at the Wolsey Theatre in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2016). He has narrated a large catalogue of audiobooks including V.S. Naipaul’s A House for Mr Biswas.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

This might be my favorite book of all time.

It took several pages to sufficiently suspend my disbelief, but Kim’s early antics were so amusing that time passed quickly. By the end of the book I simply wished there was no end to the story. The narrator’s many voices, particularly regarding many dialects, were useful in following the characters. Kipling wove the language and the customs of the times together beautifully in an ever-whimsical yet respectful style. It turned out to be a true joy.

Generous, whole hearted, skillful and fun

I am extremely grateful for Sam Dastor’s extraordinary performance of this extraordinary book. I feel like I am a better person for having listened to it.

A Stunning Experience

I finally read this classic because I wanted the background on the character when reading "The Game" by Laurie R. King as part of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. What I got was a stunning and fulfilling experience that I wouldn't have missed for the world!

Not being an expert on Indian dialects, I can't say if Sam Dastor's narration is technically correct, but it is perfect for enhancing the listening experience. I came to know and love the many characters as though they were real people, and Dastor's performance was what brought them to life.

The story itself was one that the summary didn't really prepare me for. I had at first thought that this tale of wandering through what for me is an alien culture wouldn't be something that could involve and capture me on a personal level. But I discovered that some things are truly universal, regardless of the cultural trappings, and I was captivated. Like so many in the tale who came to love him, Kim is one of those characters who somehow worked his way into my heart and I will carry him with me for many years to come. The same must be said of Kim's holy man. Other characters have written themselves in my heart as well.

I am so glad, whatever the outside motivation, that I finally read this book and had the opportunity to meet and love Kim and all of those around him. My only regret is that I deprived myself of knowing Kim for so long.

Books that are Firm Favourites

Would you consider the audio edition of Kim to be better than the print version?

I first met Kim at High School. It was a setbook for our English Literature class. That was over 60 years ago!! I have carried that book around the world with me - I travel quite a lot - and read it on planes and trains. Sometime ago I found out about a version on DVD, which I purchased. Now I have it for my computer and MP3 player (which I listen to on my treadmill) and I am still listening to it. Mr Kipling encapsulated the essence of the time in History and where it took place to perfection. Thanks for the audible version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kim?

When he gets acquainted with Llama.

Have you listened to any of Sam Dastor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have never listened to any other Sam Dastor performances to my knowledge.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it is the kind of book which must be listened to in its separate parts. However, if the occasion arose, it could well be listened to all in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

Do some more audio books like this please.

Excellent, but....

Having heard rave reviews of this book, I was considering using this book to teach World History..... This is an excellent--absolutely wonderful--historical novel of India during the British period. The nuances of religious heterogeneity certainly are depicted.

HOWEVER, I doubt very few of my students would trudge through this. Unless you are truly a fan of the classics or are looking to improve your understanding of religious pluralism throughout the world, I would suggest you bypass this book.... but that is my own opinion.

In short, it's worth a read once. But not twice. And certainly not if you are an undergraduate with a million things on your plate.

Fantastic reader of a great novel

Sam Dastor is the perfect reader for this -- his careful and sensitive reading of so many different Indian voices is fantastic.

Perhaps one of the finest books ever written

What made the experience of listening to Kim the most enjoyable?

Sam Dastor's rendition

What did you like best about this story?

Sam Dastor's rendition

What does Sam Dastor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Can't say because I haven't yet 'just read the book', but since you ask now there's a thought.

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

Sheer enjoyment from beginning to end.

Any additional comments?

I first heard of Rudyard Kipling at prep school in 1959 from a classmate then living in Kipling's house. I saw the film 'Kim' with Dean Stockwell on TV, but never paid much attention. Since the advent of Kindle and now Audible.com I am rediscovering all those books I should have read when I was younger. At 64 I feel blessed to have listened to to this book before it was too late. Anyone who is interested in listening to books on or about India is strongly advised to do so by listening to Sam Dastor's rendition. It just doesn't get better than that.

Great title.

What a great title is it. I'll make sure to forward it to one of my friend to listen to it.

adventurous and spiritual

Kim by Rudyard Kipling Audible release narrated by Sam Dastor, is adventurous and also spiritual. This book is classic. Great listening as it is inspiring and gives thoughts to think about.

A boy becoming a man in a bygone era

As much story about a young boy whom the book is named after as a story about a llama, just as it is as much authentic at times as over the top at others. The narration could have done without overemphasizing the accents.
Entertaining on the whole.