The Jewel in the Crown

By: Paul Scott

Narrated by: Richard Brown

The first volume in Paul Scott's historical tour-de-force opens in 1942 as the British fear both Japanese invasion and Indian demands for self-rule. In the Mayapore gardens, Daphne Manners, daughter of the provincial governor, leaves her Indian lover, who will soon be arrested for her alleged rape.

Not the BBC adaptation, as good as that was

What you get: Great characters and setting, revealing history woven into an engrossing narrative. It's delivered in what I think of as the older "books on tape" style of reading rather than the more currently popular interpretive narration style. At first I reacted as another reviewer: Is the quartet --a dry listen --worth 8 credits (9 counting Scott's "Staying On"), but by the end of pt 1 of Jewel, I decided it would be. Jewel starts with a traditional narrative but the narrative is moved forward with a series of linked reports, interviews and letters, so the narration style "suits."

Narrated in a more interpretive style, I think it would be a different novel. Both options would be great listens, but different. The present made for relaxing listening with frequent pauses for reflection on a character or the meaning in a change of point of view. It wasn???t a listen to keep me on my exercise bike longer than usual or to have in the background for house chores, but it was great listening for unwinding before bed -- so I will keep wagering double credits on the series.

Superb writing, subverted by spiritless narration

If you don't already know this wonderful quartet of novels, you have a treat in store. Splendid richness of historical setting and character. Paul Scott's writing is strong enough to overcome almost any flaws in narration. But he deserves better than this. The narrator speaks clearly enough, but his emotional range is often little wider than that of a talking clock, and all the characters have the same voice. Several days' worth of listening to his performance is a qualified pleasure. So, check the sample audio before you spend your eight credits. Let's hope that a narrator more sympathetic to the drama will take this great task on.

Even better than I remembered!

I read all 4 of the Raj Quartet books in the 80s, after the series aired on public tv (still some of the finest tv ever made). This book is even better than I remembered, telling the story of a pivotal series of events from the differing viewpoints of the people involved. So we learn/get clarity about the events the way we really do in life, piecing together different versions in context. Just brilliant writing! Having to voice all these different narrators is a challenge for any reader, but this performance was seamless.

enthralling

story, narrator, insightful,
culturally enlightening, beautifully written, emotionally moving, I have read hardcopy and listened multiple times

Can't listen to narrator's voice anymore

What did you like best about The Jewel in the Crown? What did you like least?

The book seems very interesting BUT narrator's voice is awful. He just reads the book, doesn't perform at all.....and that voice! Ugh! I am unable to finish listening.

Would you be willing to try another one of Richard Brown’s performances?

NEVER

Was The Jewel in the Crown worth the listening time?

I'll never know.