Kim Audiobook

" I understand that "Kim" is generally considered Kipling's greatest novel. I personally, however, found it less than great. There are some aspects of it that surpass any other works I can think of. Primarily, this would be in its description of India. The people, the places, the customs are all described in rich (which might also be unduly drawn out) detail. I think the story attempts to be a coming of age tale, although in this it fails to impress. One is much more likely to enjoy Kim as a young ruffian with a Tom Sawyer swagger than as the weary and aware young man he seems at the end of the book. Then, too, there is the religious aspect of "Kim." Kipling displays the range of Indian religious sects by introducing characters who are Hindu, Muslim, and Christian (the latter only as the militaristic and slightly dull-witted guardians of Kim at his necessary but tedious school training). His main portrayal, though, is of Buddhism as exemplified in the Tibetan Lama whom Kim befriends. By the end of the book, I could not help feeling it was almost a piece of Buddhist propaganda, so frequent were the references to the Wheel of Life and earning merit. But perhaps I am the wrong sort of reader to enjoy this book anyway. It certainly seems a "boy" tale, and I am sure a more thorough understanding of the intrigues of the British Empire would have made the reading more enjoyable. In seeking out secondary commentary to help my reading, I found out about "the Great Game" between English and Russian intelligence agents. Suddenly things made more sense! Unfortunately, it did not help increase my interest much. Pehaps Kipling's wild appeal in his own day is to the detriment of its appeal 109 years later. "

" I enjoyed this book! Rudyard Kipling is great novelist and storyteller. Now I want to visit India! "

" My only true "desert island book." It's all in here, everything you need to know. The only book I've actually read a dozen times. Also the only book (and one of the only things) I've bought on E-bay: I've got about 12 different copies. One is in French with great drawings! "

" Can not add any original compliments to the universal praise gained by this book, for a long time regarded as "arguably the best novel ever written about India". While the sentiment may be considered debatable, the literary value and everlasting appeal of "Kim" remains undeniable. "

" This was a tough read, but mainly because I had to crunch through it in a weekend. The more I was able to digest and talk about it, the more I really began to enjoy it. "

" Interesting but a slow read (maybe I just had too much going on in life at the time and couldn't give it the attention it needs!). I loved the main character, Kim. He was so naturally himself - born white but much more instinctively a native Indian. His commitment to the Tibetan lama is so strong despite their very different ideals (one to get gain/entertainment and the other to obtain enlightenment), which slowly converge in the religious at the end. I loved the end, but got a little distracted by all the details and characters in the middle. "

" I am such a fan of Kipling. Kim was all that I expected and I'm sure I will read it again. "

" I loved reading this intricate tale of friendstrip & devotion between a lama on a spiritual journey and the young street orphan Kim, who becomes his disciple while also being involved in a secret mission for the British. Kipling's use of detail works to create vivid imagery in the mind's eye. This is a book to be slowly read so that the picturesque scenes can be fully appreciated as the rest of the story unfolds. "

" I am reading this to my daughter. The descriptions of the people an places of India are beautiful. "

" My only true "desert island book." It's all in here, everything you need to know. The only book I've actually read a dozen times. Also the only book (and one of the only things) I've bought on E-bay: I've got about 12 different copies. One is in French with great drawings! "

" One of my all time favorites! "

" Not an easy read, but WELL worth it! "

" This is my second go at reading this book. Maybe I will do better on the iPhone. "

" One of the best adventure stories -- easy to see why he won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Along with the exciting plot is a travelogue of India about 1895. The setting reminds me of the early parts of Autobiography of a Yogi (nonfiction.) The chapter where Kim helps a comrade disguise himself and escape from the train is a classic. "

" Every night when I picked up this book, I couldn't remember what was going on when I'd put it down the night before. Nothing engaged my interest. Supposedly, there's a lot about India and life there in the 18th century under British rule, but it doesn't come across clearly at all. None of the characters are particularly interesting. I understand how a book like this becomes a classic --in 1901, not very many people knew much about India, I suppose-- but it really does not stand the test of time. "

" What a difficult book to slog through. It had its moments, and I enjoyed a lot of the description and feel of India (the reader was excellent at doing the voices, and really brought out the characters), but it just felt...pointless. I was frustrated by a bunch of story lines that just seemed never to find resolution because the book came to a very abrupt end (it seemed to me). I understood the message at the end, but I was curious to see what happened to Kim, and will never find out. He was such a great character with so much potential - an Irish boy who had essentially "gone native" in India, and therefore was able to straddle so much of the divided Imperial British society. His ability to do so made for some great sub-stories. I loved his character, but I am hard-pressed to give the overall book more than 2 stars, unfortunately. I will have to read The Jungle Book to see how it compares for adventure and story; I know that one is a true favorite of Kipling's. "

" I cannot speak highly enough of this book. Kipling opens up the world of the Raj and plunges into an India that is long gone. Kim and his Holy Lama are irresistible. Mahbub Ali and the Bengali Babu are perfect. I think I shall have to read much more of Mr Kipling over the coming months. "

" I remember being blown away by this book in college, and by its introduction (written by Edward Said in this edition). On this read, I've been blown away by neither. Interesting, yes, but not particularly moving. "

" Much enjoyed this book, after I had got over the extravagant speech. The combination of adventure and spiritual journey is intriguing. "

" The name says it all: dull. "

" This book takes you back to childhood, while simultaneously transporting you to a lush and gorgeous India. A feast. Enjoy. "

" Loved the book. A must read for everyone of all ages! "

" I think this is my all-time favourite book. A friend gave it to me as a birthday present this year. I couldn't believe I'd missed it. Rich, sensual, tender, evocative, gentle, passionate, magnificent... I could go on. If you haven't read it then you have missed something truly amazing! "

" Quite an arrogant author Kipling seems to be. "

" Much like Treasure Island, Kim is a story of an adventurous boy on a journey through wondrous places in the company of dastardly rogues and honorable men. Sometimes the line between the two gets blurred. Set against the backdrop of Colonial India during a time of tension between various world powers Kim will draw you in and take you far away. It will make you want to travel the great Trunk Road and climb through the foothills of the Himalayas. This is a true classic that can be enjoyed by the young or old. Certainly worth adding to your library. "

" Makes me want to go visit India! "

" I can't believe I haven't read this book before! Perhaps I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much before now. I will probably re-read this again some time. Sort of like the Bollywood movies I enjoy - meandering trips through India with a jolly cast of sympathetic characters. "

" Very good but laborious reading. "

" Had always wanted to read this. Finally got around to it. "

" I should have read this 30 years ago but was both clueless and callow at that time. Twenty-five years ago I was too busy. Twenty years ago - no excuse. But I am glad I read it now. "

" This is my second go at reading this book. Maybe I will do better on the iPhone. "

" Very good but laborious reading. "

" While it was difficult to follow for me due to all the India-specific cultural references, that was what made it interesting. To see a fleeting glimpse of what it must be like to live in a country with 1000s of castes. It piqued my interest to learn more about the caste system. "

" I listened to this book on CD. The reader has a wonderful British/Indian accent (once you get used to it!) A great adventure story, rich and colorfully told. "

" very nice and inspiring story...with a moral value..must read "

" To hell with the people who think we aren't supposed to like Kipling. "

" Enchanting, well crafted tale of a lively, Indian life. "

" I read it for an Indian History class. I'm not a fan of Kipling. "

" To hell with the people who think we aren't supposed to like Kipling. "

" This title is for one of my 2 bookgroups. I am having trouble with it; too outdated, and certainly not politically correct! "

" A classic that is still relatable today, especially to those of us with fond (or any) memories of the sub-continent! "

" A story set in India in which most of the human characters are foreigners, yet the main character is India herself. Great novel which must be read, but not judged with today's standards. "

" I only wish I'd read it sooner. Kipling evokes India beautifully. Yes, he's a product of his time and it shows, but the English come off no better than anyone else. And Kim is a terrific character. "

" A pleasant read, but not tremendously easy to follow on tape, as I experienced it. "

" this is my all time favourite! "

" Absolutely a delight. I will put more Kipling books on my reading list now. I seriously think they should make a mini-series out of this book. "

" I thought this was a fascinating read. It's about a homeless boy in India and his adventures to enlightenment. "

" I remember loving it, though I was just a little punk myself at the time. "

" This was an amazing read. Loads of culture, great story line, cool characters. I read Sidartha pretty recently, so the two mingled really well. I would recomend this to anyone who is into historical fiction or anthropology. "

" A pleasant read, but not tremendously easy to follow on tape, as I experienced it. "

" one of my all-time favorites. re-readin' it. "

" I was never a big fan of Kipling, and this book certainly didn't change my mind. "

" The most winning writer from the duskless empire, from its brightest time in the sun. _Kim_ taught me a jeer that I carry with me to this day: "Your father is a baker, your mother stole the ghee!" "

" Dazzlingly colorful and a decent tale, but suffers from the Eurocentric condescension of the day, even though from time to time Kipling seems to admit a spark of recognition that the advantages were not all one way. "

" the beginning was great, very interesting and funny. the middle and end were so hard to get through. so many references to things going in during Colonial India times that I had no idea about. Kipling explains nothing. This book was way too smart for me:) but I'm glad I finished it at least. "

" I know very little about India's culture (modern or from Kipling's time). This book covered a lot of cultural items that made it interesting that way, but the storyline was very slow and hard for me to get through. "

" Started this and quit after a few chapters. Rudyard Kipling's writing style just doesn't grab me - I couldn't get into it. "

" What a smashingly good time! What a roar! What a picture of a time period, of a man, of a history! "

" It was pretty much like Huckleberry Finn but set in India. So well written and completely enjoyable, with some deeper themes running throughout if you care to pay attention to them. "

" This book takes you back to childhood, while simultaneously transporting you to a lush and gorgeous India. A feast. Enjoy. "

" Classic Kipling, with India and espionage. You ought to read it if only to understand what other spy story writers refer to as "The Great Game" but also because it's a ripping yarn. "

" Come for the vistas. Stay for the sensibility. "

" One of my all-time favorites. I have read it many times. "

" Found it a little slow and cumbersome at times, but a good commentary of life in India under British rule. "

" Enjoyable enough, but not spectacular. It's a good primer into other books on India - I read the Edward Said commentary with it and found that quite helpful. I wouldn't mind attempting other books by Kipling. "

" Found it a little slow and cumbersome at times, but a good commentary of life in India under British rule. "

" Why you gotta be so racist, Kipling? Time and place for everything. "

" The name says it all: dull. "

" I should have read this 30 years ago but was both clueless and callow at that time. Twenty-five years ago I was too busy. Twenty years ago - no excuse. But I am glad I read it now. "

" I've heard wonderful things about Kipling but this book just wasn't for me. I couldn't make it through the first chapter no matter how hard I tried. "

" Wonderful,Amazing,what more can I say? "

" Alright. Strengths: Incredible colorful, spirited, and sincerely collaged Indian world. Weaknesses: Nearly story-less. It is hard to like Kim. Ends with a Buddhist altar call built on Christian character. "

" One more of those books I should have read in junior high. Gives an interesting view of India in the late 1800s but I think the ending was a bit weak. "

" Another picaresque, coming-of-age tale with a plot so contrived as to be laughable & with wonderful, memorable secondary characters. A fun read; but don't take it seriously. "

" The description of the Grand Trunk Road is wonderful, just perfect! Otherwise too imperialistic. "

" It certainly wasn't one of the easiest reads I've ever come across, but Kimball O'Hare's character is unforgettable. He is Hindu-Muslim-Sahib and is absolutely unflappable. Worth a read? Yep. One of the top 100 novels of the twentieth century? Not a chance. "

" I tried, but could not get into this book. Quit about 1/3 the way through. Watched the movie with Errol Flynn to learn how it ended. That, too, was just OK. Wanted to see the scenery more. Kipling did a good job with descriptions; I just felt everything moved too slowly for me - at this time anyhow! "

" one of my all-time favorites. re-readin' it. "

" The novel portrays the people, life, culture and religions of India. It represents the British occupation of India through Kim's adventures. I enjoyed reading it for its smoothness as we travel with kim. "

" "The English Patient" extolled this book and suggested that between the denseness of its paragraphs, therein lies a gem of a story. I tried valiantly to find the gem, but would get caught up in the labyrinth of oral stories that didn't seem to come alive in the written word. "

" One of my favorite books! "

" Kipling's only novel. Kim is full of turn of the century Indian subcontinent colloquialisms. This version includes a dictionary, which you will need to consult about every third word. "

" I am reading this to my daughter. The descriptions of the people an places of India are beautiful. "

" One of my all time favorites. "

" This book is very special to me. My Grandmother named my father after the main character after reading it. It was a little difficult to get used to the writing style at first, but I enjoyed the story. "

" It's a classic. Great story. Laugh out loud funny in some places. Language can be tough to get through. Once done I strongly suggest viewing the Errol Flynn version on DVD. The cinematography is a real hoot! "

" Kim and Jonny Quest cartoons formed my idea of what I wanted to be when I grew up. "

" I think this is my all-time favourite book. A friend gave it to me as a birthday present this year. I couldn't believe I'd missed it. Rich, sensual, tender, evocative, gentle, passionate, magnificent... I could go on. If you haven't read it then you have missed something truly amazing! "

" One of my all time favorites. I really hated for this book to end. "

" Read this again recently and enjoyed it. Kipling has preserved this time period in British history and the character of Kim is unique and clever. "

" This novel tells the story of a young English boy growing up in India, and his various adventures with acquaintances of various persuasions. I was delighted by Kipling's descriptions of India and its people in this book. "

" I think this is my all-time favourite book. A friend gave it to me as a birthday present this year. I couldn't believe I'd missed it. Rich, sensual, tender, evocative, gentle, passionate, magnificent... I could go on. If you haven't read it then you have missed something truly amazing! "

" Yes it's Orientalism but still so well done. "

" No es por quitarle merito al gran Kipling pero su literatura no va conmigo aunque a muchos les fascine. Simplemente Kim no es un libro que me atrape totalmente. "

" Had always wanted to read this. Finally got around to it. "

" jingoist? sure. masonic? yup. awesome? indubitably. "

" I felt like I was missing something while reading this. Several people told me it was a fantastic book, and I did enjoy it, but wouldn't call it fantastic. It's on my read-again list. Perhaps it will make more sense the second time round. "

" Enjoyable enough, but not spectacular. It's a good primer into other books on India - I read the Edward Said commentary with it and found that quite helpful. I wouldn't mind attempting other books by Kipling. "

" Read it once a year. "

" an amazing book, I traveled to Lahore because of this book just to see where Kim grew up "

" Boring. A lot of talk, no action. "

" Read and reread, a timeless classic coming-of-age story set in turn-of-the-century (20th) India. Finding more with every rereading. I doubt I will ever tire of this wonderful book. "

" Kim and Jonny Quest cartoons formed my idea of what I wanted to be when I grew up. "

" I loved this when I read it as a child and thought it was probably the best adventure story ever written. I am reluctant to read it again as an adult, in case I change my mind. "

" Read this because of The Game. . . It was fascinating and old-fashioned, all at once. Kipling's suprisingly unjudgemental view of various cultures in India was interesting, if sometimes confusing. Slow paced--nothing REALLY happens, I'd say--but intriguing. "

" Wonderful,Amazing,what more can I say? "

" 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.<br/><br/>Amazing book "

" 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.<br/><br/>Amazing book "

" 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.<br/><br/>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. "

" Fantastic in the way of good stories that may stick with a person, in one way or another, for a very long time. "

" 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. "

" A great geography lesson and a fantastic story. "

" A great geography lesson and a fantastic story. "

" kipling is too deprived ! "

" kipling is too deprived ! "

" Read it once a year. "

" 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. "

" What a wonderful story. Action in an exotic locale. Lots of things to think about. Most excellent for my first full Kindle read. "

" 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.<br/> "

" 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.<br/> "

" 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.<br/> "

" The description of the Grand Trunk Road is <em>wonderful</em>, just perfect! Otherwise too imperialistic. "

" The description of the Grand Trunk Road is <em>wonderful</em>, just perfect! Otherwise too imperialistic. "

" The description of the Grand Trunk Road is <em>wonderful</em>, just perfect! Otherwise too imperialistic. "

" 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.<br/><br/>It finished as beautifully as it began. I officially love Kipling! :) "

" 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.<br/><br/>It finished as beautifully as it began. I officially love Kipling! :) "

" 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.<br/><br/>It finished as beautifully as it began. I officially love Kipling! :) "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" 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! "

" The first cross-over novel, way before Harry Potter's attempts. A joy! "

" The first cross-over novel, way before Harry Potter's attempts. A joy! "

" Written in Biblical dialogue; e.g. thy, thee, hast, etc. plus too many confusing Indian names. Interesting story, but very hard to read. "

" "This is a great and terrible world." "

" Rudyard Kipling's novelized history of the Great Game and childhood hero, Kim, a bastard child of the Raj. Relates the mood of the times to go along with the facts in Peter Hopkirk's "The Great Game". "

" Enjoyable enough, but not spectacular. It's a good primer into other books on India - I read the Edward Said commentary with it and found that quite helpful. I wouldn't mind attempting other books by Kipling. "

" Just not my cup of tea... "