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The Manchurian Candidate Audiobook
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(3.75) - 24 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This classic of Cold War paranoia is one of the most dazzling and enduring products of an unforgettable time.
Buried deep within the consciousness of Sergeant Raymond Shaw is the mechanism of an assassin, a time bomb ticking toward explosion, controlled by the delicate skill of its Communist masters. Shaw returns from the Korean War to an idolizing and unsuspecting country. In a farcical, uproarious scene, he is greeted amid flashbulbs and frock coats by his power-hungry, domineering mother and her politician husband, who have decided to use Shaw’s fame to further their own unscrupulous ambitions.
What follows is at once a spy story, a love story, and a sobering yet outrageously funny satire on demagoguery in American politics. Two tender love stories provide an undercurrent theme: the powers of light against the powers of dark. Shaw, the pawn, the brainwashed, is caught between the forces struggling for his soul. With humor, anger, and compassion, Richard Condon brings this mortal combat to a spectacular surprise ending, an ending that the New York Times says, “will knock your reading glasses off!”
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"Difficult not to read this without substituting the current crop of loudmouthed demagogues for the McCartyites that were its original target. Also difficult not to read it without wishing current political-thriller writers would cop some of Condon's word-jazz style. "
— David (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A breathlessly up-to-date thriller.”
— New York Times -
“Brilliant…a wild and exhilarating satire.”
— New Yorker -
“An exciting, brilliantly told story…crammed with suspense, humor, horror, satire, sex, and intrigue.”
— Chicago Tribune -
“Shocking, tense…a high-grade adventure-suspense.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“Apocalyptic…Condon is wickedly skillful.”
— Time -
“Any fan of political thrillers will enjoy this one.”
— Library Journal
The Manchurian Candidate Listener Reviews
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" A little slow in the beginning, but overall an intriguing read. A great analysis of McCarthyism. "
— Emily, 4/30/2011 -
" This was a really quick read - but I enjoyed it. The characters were rather good and well developed. I saw the original movie a long time ago and only after reading the book did I fully appreciate how messed up the mother was. Wow. "
— Natalie, 4/26/2011 -
" Could not put it down. "
— Sheila, 4/6/2011 -
" Didn't get past first chapter due to sex scene and language. Do not recommend. "
— Deveny, 3/18/2011 -
" Definitely a thought provoking story. <br/> <br/>Though at times I did find it a touch annoying. <br/> <br/>Also, it was while my husband was deployed overseas, so that could account for the less than stellar rating. "
— Kristi, 12/13/2010 -
" Over the top stereotypes - you can't help but hate the mother and step-father!! "
— Marija, 10/21/2010 -
" Well written, enjoyably complex and even a little eerie. The second half of the book is FANTASTIC and features one of my favorite endings to a story in some time. "
— Aaron, 9/23/2010 -
" Probably one of the worst written books I have ever read. The concept was promising, but the delivery was atrocious, at least in my humble opinion. "
— Jesse, 9/1/2010 -
" The quintessential psychological political thriller... "
— Bedford, 8/30/2010 -
" even though the movie is amazing, this takes the story to a whole other level. "
— Fran, 5/22/2010 -
" As a longtime fan of the movie, I felt obliged to give the book a try. With sparkling Beat-inspired prose and an intrigue that trumps almost all others, Condon's book is one of the finest books I've read this year--and it's been a good year. "
— Jeff, 3/23/2010
About Richard Condon
Richard Condon (1915-1966), after moderate success as an ad writer and Hollywood agent, Condon turned to writing in 1957. His second novel, The Manchurian Candidate (1959), and the movie made from it in 1962, made him famous. His novel, Prizzi’s Honor, was also made into a successful movie.
About Christopher Hurt
Christopher Hurt is an accomplished narrator with a lengthy résumé of popular titles for Blackstone. A graduate of George Washington University’s acting program, he currently resides in New York City.