Three Men in a Boat cover art

Three Men in a Boat

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Three Men in a Boat

By: Jerome K. Jerome
Narrated by: Ian Carmichael
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Exclusively from Audible

In this comedic masterpiece, three young men, increasingly given to thoughts of hypochondria, decide to embark on a journey along the river Thames.

Confident that the fresh air and daily exercise will grant them immunity from a myriad of illnesses and diseases, they pack up their frying pans, toothbrushes, food and canine companion, Montmorency, and set off on an unexpected adventure.

As the men come up against hilarious and often avoidable obstacles on their journey from Kingston upon Thames to Oxford, Jerome K. Jerome offers listeners a unique look back at the joys of youthful naivety, comradery and playfulness.

Supremely English in nature, Three Men in a Boat, paved the way for the later works of authors such as James Thurber, PG Wodehouse and Nick Hornby.

Based on a real-life experience, Jerome's comic approach to this story transcends the passage of time as his themes and subjects remain universal. An explorer of new ideas and customs, Jerome K. Jerome developed great insight along his travels throughout Europe and the sheer plausibility of his stories serves to enhance the comedic effect of his writing.

As an international best-selling title, Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat was met with such immediate success that it has never been out of print since its publication in 1889.

Narrator Biography

Ian Carmichael was a veteran comedy actor, best known for his roles in Private's Progress, I'm All Right Jack, Brothers in Law and School for Scoundrels.

He played Dorothy L. Sayers' gentleman detective, Lord Peter Wimsey, on television and radio and his audiobook narration of these stories can be found on the Audible website.

Ian was classically trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and after a brief stint in the Royal Armoured Corps during the Second World War, he graced stage, screen and radio for over 50 years.

He was and remains a national treasure and was appointed an OBE in the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

©2007 Jerome K. Jerome (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Classics Funny Witty Feel-Good British Fiction

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Critic reviews

"[Narrator Ian] Carmichael, the quintessential English gentleman, captures perfectly the delicious inanity of our intrepid heroes' conversations and the bemusement of the locals they meet along the way. He conveys beautifully Jerome's evocative, almost wistful, descriptions of Thames-side towns whose august historical pasts illustrate the glory that was Britain. This delightful performance crystallizes the author's humor and vision and is sure to enchant its audience." ( AudioFile)
All stars
Most relevant
great Performance, from one of the great English comic actors, one of my top books brilliantly done

The River

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This is the closest I've found to a proper unabridged version narrated by an English actor with the cut-glass diction and voice modulation I associate with middle-class late Victorian/early Edwardians, which for me adds immensely to immersion in the story.

I have to admit that I preferred Hugh Laurie's performance (because Bertie Wooster in my formative years!) but I found his version far too abridged; Ian Carmichael more than does the story justice and definitely strikes the right notes to convey character and humour.

There's a bizarrely rambling preamble from the American voice-over built into the first audio-book chapter, and the audio-book chapters don't track the paper-book chapters - each audio chapter covers several paper chapters, and the length of audio chapters is weirdly uneven. It isn't a problem unless you're trying to find a particular passage, though.

Good, but weird chapter distribution

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One of my all time favourite books which makes me laugh out loud each time I read it. I was wary of an audible version but the narrator was perfect. I laughed out loud and will listen to this again I know. Joyous!

Brilliantly brought to life

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A grand old story, perfectly told. I recommend it to everyone. Prepare for a very hearty laugh.

Very enjoyable.

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Many reviews are saying this book has dated badly, where as I think it has captured a time. Not much of a story line to it, but that is not what the author has set out to do, it was not necessary. The book is very amusing and the speaker captures the English Cham perfectly. Wonderfully done by the reader. Can see why it has stood the test of time.

19th century, English charm.

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