The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo Audiobook, by Irving Stone Play Audiobook Sample

The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo Audiobook

The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo Audiobook, by Irving Stone Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Arthur Morey Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 22.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 17.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2012 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780449010679

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

366

Longest Chapter Length:

07:27 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

16 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

05:33 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

3

Other Audiobooks Written by Irving Stone: > View All...

Publisher Description

This is Irving Stone's powerful and passionate biographical novel of Michelangelo. His time: the turbulent Renaissance, the years of poisoning princes, warring popes, the all-powerful Medici family, the fanatic monk Savonarola. His loves: the frail and lovely daughter of Lorenzo de Medici; the ardent mistress of Marco Aldovrandi; and his last love--his greatest love--the beautiful, unhappy Vittoria Colonna. His genius: a God-driven fury from which he wrested the greatest art the world has ever known. Michelangelo Buonarotti, creator of "David", painter of the Sistine ceiling, architect of the dome of St Peter's, lives once more in Irving Stone's marvellous book.

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"I know its weird to not finish a book but then rate it highly anyway. But I was reading this while in Italy and it enriched my experience so much that I had to give it some love... I read a bit over half of it (its long, though not slow), and finished shortly after he sculpts the David. The attention to detail here is astounding -- you can almost geek out just as much about Irving Stone's research skills than at Michelangelo's life. Stone translated hundreds of letters, moved to Italy for a few years, apprenticed at a marble cutters so he could get the feel to be authentic in his prose. Pretty impressive, and the type of research Stone apparently often did for his novels. Anyway visiting or thinking of visiting Florence should pick up this book."

— Nate (5 out of 5 stars)

The Agony and the Ecstasy Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.35714285714286 out of 54.35714285714286 out of 54.35714285714286 out of 54.35714285714286 out of 54.35714285714286 out of 5 (4.36)
5 Stars: 14
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I simply loved this book. It was beautifully narrated and would highly recommend it! "

    — Gerhard, 11/12/2018
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Just re-read, while visiting Florence..I still loved it "

    — Patricia, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I read this for extra credit in high school. Only later did I learn there was a film which might have helped me more...but it was a decent book. It dragged in parts, but there was quite a bit of drama between Michelangelo and the various popes. Frustrated and demanding artist vs. even more demanding and egomaniacal religious figures. "

    — Aaron, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It took me long time to read this, but it was great. I went to Europe shortly after and saw several of Michelangelo's sculptures. It gave me a whole new respect for him as an artist. Definately worth reading "

    — Shelly, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I read this book first as a college student in the late 1960s in a Reader's Digest Condensed Book format and really enjoyed it. It needed a lot of condensing because the "real" book is close to 800 pages long. After my trip to Italy--to Rome and Florence--last March, I was inspired to order a copy and finally managed to read it all. I learned a lot about Michelangelo and his contemporaries and wished that I had read the book prior to my trip. Stone's research was amazing. "

    — Elizabeth, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was a really good read. I enjoyed it. "

    — Kaylon, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved this book. I think all artists should read it. "

    — Mario, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent historical fiction. Well worth the read - both a great story w/good background history. "

    — Daphne, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A wonderful insight in the life of a genius. "

    — Fernanda, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a tough read in high School but i really learned a lot from this story. "

    — Knottybear, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Such an intimate look at the life of Michaelangelo. A little slow, but so amazing! "

    — Nanette, 12/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " My choice for MOST BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN BOOK "

    — Laura, 12/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was good, but I stopped in the middle to read another quick read and then was never able to get back into it. It was hard to follow all of the similar names especially after putting it down for a while. I think I would have really enjoyed it if I'd read it entirely through without a break. "

    — Miriam, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I have read this book many times and it inspires me to create every time. The first reading encouraged me to pick up a hammer and chisel, and I have been carving stone ever since. "

    — Mike, 8/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A definite must before you go to Italy. Great book! "

    — Diane, 8/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " aIt's about michaelangelo enough said. "

    — Dawn, 7/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Reading this book made me love Renaissance art. Words worth a thousand pictures. "

    — Brenda, 7/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book was a great read. I learned so much about Italy and their city-states as well as the art of Michelangelo and the dynamics of his life and environment. Well worth the effort and time that it takes to read a 700+ page book. "

    — Camille, 7/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Another favourite from my youth - brilliant "

    — Jo, 5/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I read this while in Europe and it was a wonderful fictional biography to give you a glimpse of the life of a Renaissance artist like Michelangelo. Whose David and Pieta are two of the most beautiful artworks ever created in my opinion. "

    — Ty, 5/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked this book. But probably not enough that I'd have read it had I realized at the outset that that innocent looking paperback was about 770 pages long! That said, I am now really interested to see some of Michelangelo's work! That makes it kind of cool. :) "

    — melody, 3/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved this book. I really enjoyed Irving Stone's biography of one of the world's most famous artists, Michelangelo. It told of his passion and his God-driven fury to create some of the greatest art ever known. I thought it was inspiring. It is a long book, but worth the time. "

    — Janie, 3/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " My most favorite book ever! "

    — Jeanine, 1/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Lovely details about Michael Angelo and his works. Story is not fascinating, historical details are. "

    — Holly, 12/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I LOVED this book! It had beautiful writing, and I sincerly enjoyed learning about Michelangelo. What a great insite into the mind and heart of an artist. It definitly made me appreciate art more. So so good. "

    — Lanita, 10/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Read this awhile ago, but greatly enjoyed it. "

    — Krista, 10/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Long book to get through but worth it. Now I can't wait to go to Florence!! "

    — Judy, 8/10/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Close to 5 stars! "

    — Bella, 3/25/2012

About Irving Stone

Irving Stone (1903–1989) took his place as the world-acknowledged master of the biographical novel with the publication of Lust for Life. Tremendous subsequent successes such as The Agony and the Ecstasy, Passions of the Mind, and The Origin, to name but a few, have achieved the rare combination of bestselling popularity and high critical success.

About Arthur Morey

Arthur Morey has won three AudioFile Magazine “Best Of” Awards, and his work has garnered numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and placed him as a finalist for two Audie Awards. He has acted in a number of productions, both off Broadway in New York and off Loop in Chicago. He graduated from Harvard and did graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has won awards for his fiction and drama, worked as an editor with several book publishers, and taught literature and writing at Northwestern University. His plays and songs have been produced in New York, Chicago, and Milan, where he has also performed.