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Three Men in a Boat

By: Jerome K. Jerome
Narrated by: Hugh Laurie
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Summary

Three Men in a Boat is one of the most amusing and durable books in the English language. Semi-autobiographical, it recounts the adventures and mishaps of George, Harris, J. (the author), and his remarkable dog Montmorency during a boat trip along the Thames from London to Oxford. Jerome K. Jerome originally intended the book to be a guide to the Thames Valley, but his publisher thought it so entertaining it was published as a comic novel and has endured as a classic of the genre ever since. Wonderfully light and surprisingly modern in tone, the sense of fun is irrepressible, the enjoyment unstoppable. Real laugh-out-loud stuff, masterfully narrated by Hugh Laurie.
(P)2003 CSA Telltapes Ltd
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What listeners say about Three Men in a Boat

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Abridged, but no umbrage!

What did you like most about Three Men in a Boat?

The Thames boasts many bridges as have cut short pleasant riverbank wanderlust many a time, but Laurie makes the crossover between the rough and eddies in this choppy edit with an almost imperceptible effortlessness of narrative flow.

What other book might you compare Three Men in a Boat to, and why?

Three Men on the Bummel is the sequel of sorts which includes the Thames's Germanic cousin, the Rhine, but has more angry rowing over cycles than cycles of rowing aquatic.

What about Hugh Laurie’s performance did you like?

His tone embodies the breezily bungling nature of the tome as he swans through the work in a third of the time whilst yet seemingly maintaining that 'unbroken loveliness' Jerome prided the verily verdant reach of Cookham Deep Dean for. A charming addition to the unabridged version also available.

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

It's never been a headache to hear this in one sitting... In fact, sitting rather eased my housemaid's knee! ;)

Any additional comments?

Very generous of Amazon to publicize lesser rivers ;)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

... and a tine of pineapple!

Fantastic book which is narrated superbly and an easy listen.

A real treasure.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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It's a must buy!!

I can't tell you how many times I've listened to 3 Men in a boat....at least 10!! this version narrated by Hugh Laurie is the best by far.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Delightful

Have listened to this twice and no doubt will again. It's a delightful book and Laurie the perfect voice for it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Hilarious and beautifully read

This has been a favourite story since I was a child - it is brilliantly funny for children and adults alike in a dry/well-observed way. It is impossible not to laugh out loud - which is probably amusing for others when one is listening with headphones on public transport.

It is abridged, but has been done well.

Hugh Laurie has the perfect voice for this. I hear his voice when I read the book! Very highly recommended.

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

Amusing, gentle book.

Very well narrated. Dead pan seriousness ads superbly to the humour.
This is a fine book, but will not "remain with me" a single moment after the end.
present mirth...etc.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Better than reading it

Hugh Laurie's skill is to be the character whose words he's reading, and his ability to pick up on the classic, dry English understatement in this book is masterful. I didn't realise how pompous yet drole Harris was until listening to this version. This is flawless reading, timed to perfection, nuanced, subtle, funny, always appropriate, a joy to listen to. I was disappointed when I realised the last sentence had been read, and would almost have started again from the beginning if I didn't have a list of titles to work through. Couldn't recommend this more for anyone who wants to be taken back to the late 19th century, with its slower pace of life, and time for 'strolling' down the street (or river) with friends.

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5 people found this helpful

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An all time favourite

Performed with feeling and insite; (a clever and powerful peice of acting). This book will always hold a place in my heart.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

3 men in a boat

Hugh Laurie provides the perfect voice for what is the perfect bit of English nonsense. Adorable.

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5 people found this helpful

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Funny and relaxing listen

This book is lovely, relatively short and very relaxing to listen to. Hugh Laurie is perfect as always and reads this book beautifully. The characters and simultaneously funny, charming, and ridiculous and it always makes me giggle, and I've listened to it many times now. 10/10 would recommend.

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