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Ben-Hur

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Ben-Hur

By: Lew Wallace
Narrated by: Lloyd James
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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An American classic, Ben-Hur is both a vivid historical epic and the powerful story of one man's spiritual journey from slavery to vengeance to redemption. Born the son of a Jewish nobleman, Ben-Hur is condemned to the galleys for life for accidentally dislodging a piece of tile that falls on the Roman procurator. He is betrayed by his best friend, manages to escape his imprisonment, and gains revenge and glory before the cheering multitudes in the chariot races at the Roman circus in Antioch. Later, he fulfills his true destiny at the foot of a cross on a hill in Jerusalem.(P)2000 Blackstone Audio Inc. Classics Historical Middle East Emotionally Gripping Revenge
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Critic reviews

"This is a performance of sustained excellence, sustained across a range of characters and emotions, across time and geography. Male and female, young and old, the self-absorbed and the selfless, the worldly and the spiritual; all are within the compass of James' command. His reading is at once evocative, moving, and entertaining." (AudioFile)
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I enjoyed Ben-Hur when I read it years ago. The story's good, allowing for what is now an old-fashioned writing style. Unfortunately it's badly let down by the narrator. I can accept the American accent - after all, the author was American. I can't accept the delivery. The phrasing is off on a number of occasions, and there's no attempt to do different voices for men and women, or even for different men. For the first time, I was unable to get to the end of an Audible book and returned it.

Story - good. Narration - oh, dear!

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Would you recommend Ben-Hur to your friends? Why or why not?

This recording was very frustrating as every edit chops off part of a word and pulls you out of the story.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The reader also mispronounces quite a few words. Sestercii is wrongly pronounced Sess-ter-see-eye instead of Sess-ter-see! I want my money back!

Any additional comments?

A recording this shoddy should be highly discounted!

Spoiled by choppy editing

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