The action takes place in British India in the 1880s and 1890s against the backdrop of 'The Great Game', the political conflict between Russia and Britain which was played out in central Asia. In the character of Kimball O'Hara - an Irish orphan who 'burned black as any native' - Kipling juxtaposes East and West, embodied by a boy who can blend seamlessly into both worlds.
At once both a gripping adventure story and a spiritual journey, Kim must navigate the swarming roads of India - that 'broad smiling river of life' - as a disciple to the Buddhist Lama Teshoo. Yet, all the while, he is being drawn into the secret life of a spy. As he comes of age, how long can Kim continue to manipulate his own fate?
Download and start listening now!
"So far this is a lyrical and interesting book. Of course, you have to accept Kipling's somewhat stereotypical and racist renditions of India and British colonial cultures, but the tale is adventurous and sweet.It finished as beautifully as it began. I officially love Kipling! :) " — Lexi (5 out of 5 stars)
"So far this is a lyrical and interesting book. Of course, you have to accept Kipling's somewhat stereotypical and racist renditions of India and British colonial cultures, but the tale is adventurous and sweet.It finished as beautifully as it began. I officially love Kipling! :) "
" It's a beautiful story combined with both action and a magical description of India, from it's landscapes, to the mixing of cultures and religions.Amazing book "
" Fantastic in the way of good stories that may stick with a person, in one way or another, for a very long time. "
" A great geography lesson and a fantastic story. "
" kipling is too deprived ! "
" Read it once a year. "
" What a wonderful story. Action in an exotic locale. Lots of things to think about. Most excellent for my first full Kindle read. "
" I never finished. It got too tedious. I feel guilty about this, but it was too heavy-going, and there are so many more books to read. "
" The description of the Grand Trunk Road is wonderful, just perfect! Otherwise too imperialistic. "
" It's a good book that reads like a late 19th century precursor to a spy novel. It gets a little bit slow at times as Kipling's descriptions sometime read more like inventories running pages long. "
" The first cross-over novel, way before Harry Potter's attempts. A joy! "
Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) was born of English parents in Bombay, India. At seventeen, he began work as a journalist and over the next seven years established an international reputation with his stories and verses of Indian and army life, including such classics as The Jungle Book and Kim. In 1907 he became the first English writer to receive the Nobel Prize.
Louise Brealey, AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator, studied history at Cambridge University before studying acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Manhattan. On television, she appeared in the long-running medical drama Casualty on BBC One in 2002, appearing in ninety-six episodes. Afterwards, she appeared in the BBC serialization of Charles Dickens’ Bleak House, as well as Hotel Babylon, Law & Order: UK, Ripper Street, and in all series of Sherlock as Molly Hooper.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.