The Thirty-Nine Steps
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The Thirty-Nine Steps
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Narrated by:
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Robert Powell
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Written by:
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John Buchan
About this listen
Exclusively from Audible
An espionage thriller that has been called the first great spy novel, it has sustained its popularity, being embraced by each new generation.
The first in a series of five audiobooks it features the spy Richard Hannay, an action hero with a stiff upper lip who gets caught up in a dangerous race against a plot by German spies to destroy the British war effort.
When Richard Hannay offers sanctuary to an American agent seeking his help in stopping a political assassination, he takes the first step on a trail of peril, murder, and espionage. Days later the agent's murdered body turns up in Hannay's flat, making him the prime suspect.
Knowing he's next he goes into hiding in Scotland, but in his possession is the American agent's little black book that holds the key to the conspiracy. On the run from both the police and members of a mysterious organisation that will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden, the book has become one of the most influential chase books, adopted by many, including Hollywood, but with an unrivalled tension.
The novel has been the basis for many adaptations although most have departed from the text. Most famous is Alfred Hitchcock's classic film The 39 Steps released in 1935.
Narrator Biography
Robert Powell received his first starring role in The Italian Job (1969) and is best known for the title role in the television series Jesus of Nazareth (1977). He received Best Actor awards for his performances in Imperativ (1982) and Harlequin (1980). His television career has included appearing in BBC One's Holby City (2005-2011) and the "science-fact" drama Doomwatch (1970) as well as starring alongside Jasper Carrott in the sitcom The Detectives (1993-1997). He has a distinctive voice that has narrated documentaries including World War II in HD Colour, Hitler's Bodyguard, The Story of the Third Reich and Secrets of World War II. In 2013 he narrated the dramatic television series The Bible. He has narrated many fictional and historical audiobooks including Rebecca's Tale, The Well-Beloved and The Thirty-Nine Steps.
Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.What listeners say about The Thirty-Nine Steps
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Luv2read
- 2021-10-17
Perfect Length
We listened to this as a family in one long trip. It was the perfect length. If it had been longer it would have been dull and blah. As it was it was perfect. You went right along with him trying to escape and evade. There were some squinch your face up comments about different cultures. We told ourselves it was the time it was written and moved on but they did catch. It really had nothing to do with the story and was not present for more than a few lines.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- VL
- 2021-09-21
Classic
This was a new story to me - I was just familiar with the name of from the movie. I enjoyed the story very much as it moved very well and the performer was exceptional.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- MJB
- 2021-11-16
Doesn't stand the test of time
Good story, however ir was a little too fantastical for me. Good in its day.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Langer MD
- 2021-08-29
A Classic Spy Story
This tale is admittedly dated - dealing with pre-WWI intrigue - but it holds up surprisingly well. John Buchan penned perhaps the first 'Man-On-The-Run' story ever written. 'The Thirty-Nine Steps' is about a British Colonialist named Richard Hannay maneuvered by a chance encounter with an American Spy into a scheme involving murder, espionage, and international manipulation. Hannay works to uncover a plot to assassinate the Greek Prime Minister while playing Cat & Mouse in the Scottish Moor with ruthless pursuers.
The author himself called his book "A Shocker".. a book designed to get the adrenaline flowing while making the unlikely believable. In that, he succeeds.. there are *huge* plot holes in this book - it requires a tremendous suspension of disbelief to enjoy it - but if you can manage it, it's a fun romp.
Robert Powell (who played Hannay in a 1978 film adaptation) reads this audiobook brilliantly. His diction is spot-on, tone and timbre are remarkable, and the voice-acting is impressive. I would consider listening to audiobooks simply because Powell is attached to the project.
This 8.5/10 star audiobook was offered for free as part of the 'Plus' initiative, but I judge it worth a Credit. I confess I never saw the famous/popular Hitchcock iteration, so I can't make comparisons.. but I can easily recommend this unabridged reading.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- CKH Vancouver
- 2022-06-13
A book that launched a genre?
I feel bitterly let down by this novel. Both the British Guardian and the BBC listed this book as one of the top 100 (the Guardian) or 200 (BBC) books written in English.
It is very much a "boys own" adventure written in 1915. The melodramatic action runs along at a fast pace, with a great deal of implausible coincidences. I am sure that it influenced a great many later thrillers etc., but it is not itself a great book.
Fun fact: The narrator once acted the main character in one of the many adaptations of this novel.
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