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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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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)
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This book is superbly read by Ian Carmichael, not Hugh Laurie as stated by another reviewer!

A terrifically well written and funny period piece - in no way slapstick, it's humour is based upon language and anecdote and I found it an easy and delightful book to listen to.

Please at least get the narrator right before commentating on a recording.

A Review of this version of the book!

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You forget how literary and erudite Jerome while still being funny enough to make you laugh out loud. No wonder my English teacher insisted on me reading it in 1962. I should have waited for the audio book.

Better with repetition

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This was a story on my list of classic books that I felt I ought to read but my penchant for thrillers always took me in another direction. However, eventually it came to the top of the list. I can’t describe it as a pager turner, I mean, I wasn’t kept on the edge of my seat or up until 3am avidly reading it. Nonetheless I carried on to the end, rather to my surprise. It’s not so much one story but rather a collection of anecdotes, recalled to the mind of the author by association with something which occurred during their booking holiday on the River Thames. Most made me smile and a few made me laugh out loud. I felt I was acquiring an insight into the era - the author makes reference to the 19th century at one point.

Ian Carmichael read it fluently and with energy and emotion. He was quite mellifluous on some of the graphic descriptions, which added depth to the author’s prose.

I enjoyed it overall and I’m glad I finished it.

A Classic, ‘read’ as spoken word

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Three Men in a Boat is funny and self-deprecating. I've owned the book for decades but I was inspired to listen this time after hearing it quoted during a funeral. Ian Carmichael is just perfect for this witty and sometimes moving book. Not quite sure what's going on with the chapters though. They don't match the book chapters so it's a bit infuriating to find something if to want to go back.

Funny and self-deprecating

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great and hilarious tale of boyhood adventure (with three men). hilarious and highly recommend

great and hilarious tale of boyhood adventure

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