Listen free for 30 days
-
The Spire
- Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
The Spire
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
Dean Jocelin has a vision: that God has chosen him to erect a great spire on his cathedral. His mason anxiously advises against it, for the old cathedral was built without foundations. Nevertheless, the spire rises octagon upon octagon, pinnacle by pinnacle, until the stone pillars shriek and the ground beneath it swims. Its shadow falls ever darker on the world below, and on Dean Jocelin in particular.
From the author of Lord of the Flies, The Spire is a dark and powerful portrait of one man's will, and the folly that he creates.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Spire
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Morganrandg
- 11-03-15
Wonderful narration lifted the whole work.
I found the story rather hard to read in book format but with Benedict Cumberbatch's narration it was a joy to listen. I have listened to the whole book several times already and each time my image of the building grows in detail and stature.
I would listen to Mr Cumberbatch read anything.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
22 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Earnest
- 27-01-15
Scintillating, metaphysical scream.
Most surprising revelation to listen to this when many years ago "Lord of the Flies " had been a compulsory, unpleasant, school based read. Age and experience has made this new experience of Golding such an intellectual, visceral surprise.
The whole gamut of human, very specifically competitive, male and religious life are fore grounded with such potent imagery that it literally takes your breath away.
The narrator is outstanding.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
20 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Christine
- 02-12-15
A dissenting view
This is an amazing story, but I struggled with Benedict Cumberbatch's performance (controversial I know)! When he is narrating, it is outstanding, but during dialogues I struggled to know who was talking (especially between Jocelyn and Roger). I'm not sure why, but possibly because all the characters had the same voices, and the sudden mood changes of all the speakers (not just Jocelyn, in which it was understandable) kept tricking me into thinking the next person was speaking? I don't know, but I am sure the hordes of Cumberbatch fans will get very irate with me!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
19 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brenda
- 30-10-14
Fab story great narration
Would you consider the audio edition of The Spire to be better than the print version?
I've never read the printed version but hearing Benedict Cumberbatch reading it makes the book come alive!
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Spire?
The very sad ending
What does Benedict Cumberbatch bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
Only Benedict Cumberbatch could give you the amazing voices, excellent narration that enhances the already brilliant writing of William Golding.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
A bit of both!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- John
- 14-06-16
You'll love this or hate it.
If you love Benedict Cumerbatch as an actor you'll love this performance it is great acting of the text.
Though I think BC uses all the skills he can bring to bear in this reading, his characterization of the protagonist as a whining egotist is so strong, he makes a character who is already unsympathetic on paper into someone unbearable. This is mostly Golding's responsibility, for trying to engage the reader through the eyes of such a disagreeable character. BC's performance highlights this brilliantly you might think. But it just made question whether I could be bothered to spend more time in the company of this spire-building visionary who is so clearly a fool. I stuck it out, as I hoped I'd realize I was wrong and after all Golding was a Nobel prize winner. Unless you want time hearing BC's
lovely voice I'd recommend you try something else first.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anony Mouse
- 26-07-15
Fascinating insight, nicely read
A fascinating book - after reading this I'll never look at a medieval cathedral in the same way again! Gripping and with enough period detail to be very engaging.
Cumberbatch reads clearly, with style and character.
The story had a slightly frustrating end but apart from that I thought the book was great.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jeremy Critchlow
- 21-07-21
The Spire.
I studied 'The Spire' many years ago for A level Literature and remember enjoying it. I'm a big Golding fan, so looked forward to hearing the audible version. It's more complex than I remembered it. The obnoxious Jocelin must be one of the most odious characters in English fiction as he unwittingly sacrifices everything around him in pursuit of his 'vision'. The Spire can be seen as a symbol of one man's overweening, conceited folly - but then the spire still stands at the end of the novel, making it's meaning deeply ambiguous. It certainly bears more than one reading. I really struggled with B C's narration though, which veered too often into semi-hysterical caricature for my taste. I'm so excited that audible are planning to release 'The Inheritors' later this year, but I hope they choose their narrator wisely as it will take real skill to give Neanderthal Man a convincing voice.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Luke H.
- 17-11-16
Brilliantly read
The story was excellent.
My only gripe was sometimes the audio levels dipped rather low when Benedict whispered. Too low to hear. Perhaps the master track could have used some audio compression to compensate.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall1 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- Ian Boud
- 26-11-15
Boring book
I really struggled to finish this very boring book. it was however very well read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall1 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- Anna Li
- 19-05-16
Such a drag
If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?
I can't imagine who would enjoy this - a priest perhaps?
Would you ever listen to anything by William Golding again?
Oh god no.
Would you be willing to try another one of Benedict Cumberbatch’s performances?
Probably not. He seems to overact, which... I didn't even think was possible on a tape. I thought I enjoyed his voice, but it turns out you can only have so much of it before it gets a bit too much.
You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?
It was short.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Leena
- 15-11-14
Power through for a deep exam. of a man's psyche
Where does The Spire rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This is a complicated book. I'm not sure it lends itself all that well to an audio version. But I'm still new to audio books, and find I like them best when I can be a tad bit distracted when listening to them. This is a not a book to digest while being distracted. It requires full attention.
What did you like best about this story?
I enjoyed the many levels this story exists on. It is a story, told from one (increasingly crazy) man about his desires, actions, and motivations.
What about Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance did you like?
I read this book as I listened, so I noticed he occasionally took small liberties. Jocelyn spoke with more contractions! So if you are a purist, know that. But the voices he infused the characters with were fantastic.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- Marie Kemp
- 30-01-16
Self torture
This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?
Anyone who wants to punish themselves.
Would you ever listen to anything by William Golding again?
Yes...I would listen to Lore of the Flies as I have read that .
What does Benedict Cumberbatch bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I would not have been able to endure this had he not performed...and this was a great performance.
What character would you cut from The Spire?
The main one.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Kaui
- 27-06-15
A relentless exploration of vanity
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I am unsure if I would recommend this audiobook. This book might be better consumed ocularly via Kindle or (gasp) old-fashioned book. The story is predictable and I found the characters somewhat unremarkable - surprising for Mr. Golding. However, the writing was superb as usual. I think reading it would allow more appreciation of the language without relying upon attention-grabbing characters. That being said, Mr. Cumberbatch does a FANTASTIC job of narrating. I loved his voices, and his voice in general.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jacquelyn Koh
- 25-02-15
Enjoyable book
Where does The Spire rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Most others are stories, I'd say this should be required reading for Engineering students (especially those who will specialize in Project Management) in Freshman English class.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Spire?
The confrontation between Roger Mason and Jocelin, when Roger Mason shows how much he'd already done to try and make the Spire work and Jocelin's blind faith practically drives him to despair, though he still tries his best to find a solution.
Which scene was your favorite?
The memorable moment mentioned above.
If you could rename The Spire, what would you call it?
Watching a Train Wreck About to Happen
Any additional comments?
The performance by Benedict Cumberbatch was phenomenal. He inhabited his characters and the voices he created for each character made the book easy to follow and kept me riveted.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- M.Lee Fox
- 24-05-17
So so so so sooooo confusing.
I'll be honest. I'm not a philosophical person. I don't enjoy super deep thinking or huge amounts of reading between the lines. This book felt like it was 80% reading between the lines with the constant psychological and philosophical interpretations of the actions and scenes around the main character. Which means, I was utterly lost on what was happening like 70% of the time.
I love Mr Cumberbatch, with his grand scale of varying voices, but at times, the characters were so wildly voiced due to the interpretation of their emotions, that I had no idea who was speaking and who said what.
I will only mention this book to others whom might enjoy the challenge of a severely confusing read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kate Hoole
- 29-03-15
Twisty and dark
Twisty and dark story with a building sense of doom. Wonderfully read by Benedict Cumberbatch, who employs a wide range of voices and creates the dean's character brilliantly.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall1 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- Nora Rowland
- 03-10-14
Even Benedict Cumberbatch couldn't save this
What disappointed you about The Spire?
I think it was the characters themselves. The main character was so annoying.
Has The Spire turned you off from other books in this genre?
I doubt it.
Which scene was your favorite?
None
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jeff Lacy
- 07-10-20
Best Audible performance yet heard
I have used hundreds of Audible recordings, but Benedict Cumberbatch performing William Golding’s exceptional novel, The Spire, is the best I have heard. It is a performance, a true dramatic performance that enhanced the reading and appreciation of the novel. And this is what I desire in an Audible reader.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 10-08-19
worth reading
I liked the story, probably will come back to it.
The performance was great (not a surprise).
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Barbara A Dignan
- 17-05-15
The Spire Inspires
Captivating story. The writing was exquisite-- practically poetry. Cumberbatch used his talents of creating accents to the fullest. Fabulous book!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful