The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye

By: A. S. Byatt

Narrated by: Virginia Leishman

Glowing with narrator Virginia Leishman’s finely tuned phrasing, The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye is the perfect introduction to A.S. Byatt, an author who continues to receive international awards and acclaim. Her wondrous fairy tales are iridescent stories full of spells, marvelous creatures, and beautiful princesses. The title tale focuses on Dr. Gillian Perholt, a narratologist. The sturdy, middle-aged scholar travels the world, speaking at international conferences about the art of storytelling. She immerses herself in the study of fabulous, archetypical heroes: patient Griselda, lovely Scheherazade, brave Gilgamesh. But when she is given the fairy tale’s three wishes—chances to alter her own story, the choices she makes are both timeless and surprisingly unique.

A.S. Byatt, whose imaginative novels sparkle with layers of imagery and drama, focuses on the magic that is created each time a storyeller speaks. The five stories that comprise The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye are as fascinating and finely crafted as ivory puzzles.

©1994 A. S. Byatt (P)1997 Recorded Books, LLC

The main story Djinn

I love this story. I have listened to it over and over again. Great narrator.

Rich and Elegantly Told

Such a visual, tactile story. It almost made me believing in magic and fairy dust again!

Modern Fairy Tales

Magic and delight await in this collection of short stories. There is the Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye, which was made into the movie Three Thousand Years of Longing, a lovely layered story. The other short stories contain gorgeous language, complex characters, and delightful plots. I highly recommend.

A Wonderful Collection of Stories

Idris Elba brought me here and I am so happy that he did! This is a delightful collection - both the stories themselves and the performance. I highly recommend it!

not a clean recording

it was odd that I could hear talking and movement in the background, it was more recorded cleanly, but she was a lovely narrator.