The Great Gatsby (Unabridged) F. Scott Fitzgerald (author), William Hope (reader) 436312 | CD5 | 9781843793632
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s modern classic is one of the key novels of the 20th century. Jay Gatsby is one of the most famous residents of Long Island, New York. His sumptuous mansion, lavish parties and glamorous lifestyle are renowned throughout the neighbourhood. And yet, beyond the status symbols, no-one seems to know anything about this elusive, ephemeral figure. Gatsby seems to have it all. However, it soon becomes clear that the thing that he craves beyond all else cannot be bought. The Great Gatsby captures the hotbed of vice and corruption underlying the glitz and the glamour of the roaring 20s in the most exquisite prose.
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The Time Machine (Unabridged) H.G. Wells (author), Roger May (reader) NA0009 | CD3 | 9781843794158
At a dinner party one night, a man known only as the Time Traveller attempts to demonstrate the workings of his time machine device to his incredulous friends. He embarks upon an epic voyage, careering forward 802,701 years into the future only to discover that the world’s population has split into an indolent race called the Eloi and a cantankerous, violent race called the Morlocks. This chillingly prescient novel offers a dystopian worldview and a scathing indictment of mankind’s incessant pursuit of progress. The novel was an instant sensation, which popularised the concept of time travel and inspired many more works on the same theme.
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new on naxos audiobooks
Favourite Poems for Children Read by Anton Lesser, Rachel Bavidge et al NA0013 | CD | 9781843794233
This anthology brings together a selection of best-loved children’s poems. All of the old favourites are presented including Edward Lear’s The Owl and the Pussycat and Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky. These classic poems combine catchy, memorable rhymes with vivid word pictures to offer an imaginative feast for children. A variety of readers bring the poetry to life, resulting in a wonderfully energetic and lively collection.
Confucius in a Nutshell Neil Wenborn (author) NA0019 | CD | 9781843794356
Our ‘In a Nutshell’ guide offers a quick and accessible introduction to the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, whose teachings have had such a resounding influence on the development of Far Eastern society and beyond. The author of the famous precept ‘never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself’ advocated an ethical system based on principles of humanity, integrity, filial piety and self-improvement, with the ultimate goal of social harmony. A knowledge of Confucian thought is essential to fully understand both the history and the present formation of Far Eastern culture and philosophy.
Gulliver’s Travels (Unabridged) Jonathan Swift (author), Jasper Britton (reader) NA0011 | CD9 | 9781843794196
This year, a new film adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels (starring Jack Black) brings Jonathan Swift’s classic novel back into focus. In Gulliver’s Travels we travel into the realms of the fantastical as Lemuel Gulliver, after being alternately shipwrecked, abandoned and then accosted, is compelled to dwell among a series of extraordinary civilizations. From being incarcerated by a diminutive race to being shunned by a clan of superior horses, Gulliver’s far-ranging adventures are at once deliciously absurd and pertinently revealing. The vulgarities and imbecilities of human nature are paraded before our eyes in this novel that remains as one of the most wonderful satires of all time.
The Story of Classical Music Aled Jones (reader) NA0003 | CD4 | 9781843794042
This lively recording is a perfect way to introduce classical music to the entire family. It looks at the music through the lives of the great composers and their environment, from Johann Sebastian Bach, the family man composing for the glory of God, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the child prodigy, genius and prankster who wrote some of the finest music ever yet was buried in a pauper’s grave. This special production by one of the most important brand names in classical music includes more than 100 musical examples taken from the extensive Naxos catalogue, with narration by popular singer Aled Jones, touring Australia in August and September 2010.
Now on DVD and Blu-Ray!
This exciting series from Opus Arte presents new productions of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays at the bard’s own Globe Theatre in London, where they were first performed. The lavish historical costuming and authentic setting make this classic collection ideal for drama and literature students, and for viewers who appreciate a good period drama. If you loved Shakespeare in Love, the Globe Theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet is for you!
Romeo and Juliet OA1029D | 809478010296 | DVD2 OABD7062D | 809478070627 | Blu-Ray
As You Like It OA1032D | 809478010326 | DVD OABD7066D | 809478070665 | Blu-Ray
Love’s Labour’s Lost OA1035D | 809478010357 | DVD OABD7071D | 809478070719 | Blu-Ray
If you are interested in hearing more from Naxos AudioBooks, please contact us at info@savd.com.au to receive a free CD sampler and printed catalogue by post, as well as email updates and special offers.
Dylan Thomas: Under Milk Wood and Other Plays (Unabridged)
The 1954 Premiere Radio Recording Richard Burton, Hugh Griffith, Richard Bebb and cast 288712 | CD2 | 9789626348871
‘If Under Milk Wood is a masterpiece, this is surely the definitive version of that masterpiece.’
‘28-year-old Richard Burton was cast perfectly as First Voice, intoning voluptuously that famous opening ("It is a spring, moonless night . . ."). Burton's precise enunciation ensures nothing is lost of the dense thickets of poetic evocation; of word combinations so rich you can smell them…[He] unleashed those rich vowels and precise consonants on a perfect performance.’ –John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
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Also available: The Essential Dylan Thomas (ISBN-13: 978‑962‑634‑343‑2)
Shakespeare’s Sonnets, one of the most remarkable collections of poetry, was first published in 1609, 400 years ago, by Mr Thomas Thorpe. Naxos AudioBooks marks the occasion with a selection of 80 of the finest, read by leading actors including David Tennant, of Doctor Who fame (and also a superb Hamlet on stage).
The selection includes famous ones such as ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day’ as well as lesser well-known sonnets though of equally fine stature.
Listen: ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day’ read by David Tennant
The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by the author of No Country For Old Men, recently made into a gripping motion picture starring Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron.
‘Chill menace is his forte, so when you turn on his narration of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road get ready to turn into a hypnotised rabbit. McCarthy’s acclaimed post-apocalyptic novel is set on what feels like a highway to nowhere, and it helps to know that there is a final shard of hope. A determinedly resourceful man and his Christ-like son creep through a hellish, ash-laden landscape, scattered with the broken relics of civilisation and bristling with cannibals. What keeps you listening is the book’s pin-sharp portrait of a father’s love and the fine match of writing style and reader.’ –The Times
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Also available: No Country for Old Men (ISBN-13: 978‑962‑634‑980‑9)
Arthur Miller’s most famous play, Death of a Salesman, has become a key text in Western literature. This powerful recording, made for radio in 1953, was directed by Elia Kazan who premiered the play in the production that won the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Play.
It features Thomas Mitchell and Arthur Kennedy as father and son. Willy, a travelling salesman, based in New York, relentlessly chases material success. As the disappointing nature of his reality crowds in upon him, Willy and his family suffer the tragic cost of his delusions of greatness. A domestic tragedy, a cynical indictment of materialism and the American Dream, and a profoundly moving story of one man’s struggle to maintain his dignity in the face of continual adversity – Miller’s play is essential listening.
The Complete Sherlock Holmes – 56 stories and 4 novels – is longer than War and Peace, so the magnitude of David Timson’s achievement in having recorded the entire Holmes canon for Naxos AudioBooks deserved special recognition. And it came in a sizeable box set of 60 CDs containing everything from The Study in Scarletwhich chronicles the first meeting between Mr Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson to The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes, the final collection.
With the CDs comes a thick booklet containing background information on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and his most famous detective. This booklet was written by David himself, for in addition to being a master reader, he has become something of an expert on Holmes... so much so that there is a commentary on every individual story. David and Naxos AudioBooks spent ten years producing this cycle – the first time it has been done for CD, with classical music enhancing the production.
Here, we present his most famous collection of spine-tingling tales which involve a supernatural book, a picture which reveals a murderous story and a wish to meet a dead author taken literally. In each story, the narrator’s nagging curiosity leads them to confront a variety of creepy and unsettling spectres. Gripping, terrifying and atmospheric – James’s stories will have you on the edge of your seat this Halloween.
Favourite Poems for Children
Confucius in a Nutshell
Gulliver’s Travels (Unabridged)
The Story of Classical Music
