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The Riddle Of The Sands cover art

The Riddle Of The Sands

By: Erskine Childers
Narrated by: Anton Lesser
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Summary

Riddle of the Sands is set during the long suspicious years leading up to the First World War and is a classic of spy fiction.
©2008 BBC Audiobooks Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Riddle Of The Sands

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great writing, great narration, great fun

Erskine Childers wrote wry, rhythmical prose, full of dry wit. Anton Lesser's reading is beautifully judged, with every phrase pitched just so to capture the sometimes sardonic, sometimes wistful tone of Childers' voice - the scene in which the narrator Carruthers comes to realize that the rough, mean circumstances of his friend Davies' little boat have actually made him happy is a particular highlight. Lessor also captures the tension and excitement of the central espionage thread of the book superbly, drawing the listener into the experience until one thinks one is right there, moving through the fog toward the invasion plotters. This is a great listen, one of my favourite audiobooks, and one that I return to again and again.

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent reading

This is an excellent reading of the book, and really brings it to life. The reader's voice is really well suited to the story, and brings out the pace of the book.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Riddle of the sands

First class story told in great detail but could do with a map to follow along

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

gripping stuff

I was doubtful in the first thirty minutes of listening, so much detailed description of sailing matters. but what that does is set a pace, of tides and tacks and charts and time, in which a totally compelling story of espionage, friendship and life/death risk, unfolds. Utterly gripping, convincing, tense. Read beautifully by Anton lesser.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A Thoroughly Engrossing Novel

An interesting plot line. Some of the naval terminology in the book would have thrown me without a dictionary handy.



However, in my opinion, the relationship between the 2 main characters and the mystery in the novel are the defining features. The language Childers uses combined with fantastic narration by Anton Lesser really draws you in and makes you feel involved.



I would happily recommend this book to anyone.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Well written but became boring

I appreciate that this is a well-written and excellently narrated book but I found all the details about sailing, navigation and sea currents became tedious and slowed the action to the extent that it became boring. I gave up after 8 hours. The depiction of foreigners reflects the attitudes of the English pre-WW1.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A different type of Spy novel

Would you listen to The Riddle Of The Sands again? Why?

Yes it was a good tale and nice to listen to.

Have you listened to any of Anton Lesser’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This was my first performance but he is a good narrator so worth a listen.

Any additional comments?

Its not your traditional spy novel but it was worth listening to.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Great classic narrated brilliantly

Superb writing of the old school variety with masses of detail about sailing and charts. The story is slow to take off but there is enough interest to sustain the listener. The narrator is brilliant in maintaining the pace and in capturing the turn of the century voices of the characters.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Intriguing but too technical

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

With reservations. It was fascinating considering the coastline involved as I had never looked at this on a map. The level of sailing detail was lost to some degree on this non-sailor and the slightly lecturing tone reveals that Childers had a polemic objective beyond just telling a story: he wrote the book so that English politicians and military leaders would take note. As a result of this focus, the narrative lacks a bit of punch.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great narration!

Loved it! Anton Lesser is a great narrator for this great old story. First class.

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4 people found this helpful