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Maurice
- Narrated by: Ben Whishaw
- Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
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Summary
Maurice by E.M. Forster is the story of a young man struggling with his sexuality at the beginning of the 20th century.
Written between 1913 and 1914, it was published over 50 years later, the author believing that due to public and legal attitudes to homosexuality, to publish it in his lifetime would signal an end to his career.
Maurice is now considered to be one of the most groundbreaking and significant novels of the LGBT+ canon, and in this brand-new recording Ben Whishaw (Mary Poppins Returns, Paddington, A Very English Scandal) gives an emotive and mesmerising performance.
Photo Credit: Tomo Brejc
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What listeners say about Maurice
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 30-07-20
wow wow wow
Can Ben Whishaw read everything please? One of our best actors reading this lovely novel is a real treat! Have never spent a credit quicker.
12 people found this helpful
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- PenelopePItts
- 29-07-20
Magnificent reading of a splendid novel
Maurice is a favourite book of mine. Ben's performance suits the text perfectly. Highly recommended.
12 people found this helpful
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- TheZee
- 26-07-20
An open book in closed times
E.M Forster lays the body down in this groundbreaking volume in a most beautifully intellectual way. I was taken in from the first chapter.
The battle for the rights of those in the LGBTQ I+ community has been a slog and this book really shines the brightest light on it.
The dynamics of how homosexuality is handled back in Forster's England is no different to now, only that he would be glad that the demonisation has lessened.
Ben Whishaw narrates the book with dexterity and a tonal power with the softness of a butterfly. I felt this book deeply because it isn't just about sex but about a life to hang it on to.
Maurice is an open book in closed times.
9 people found this helpful
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- Carys
- 07-08-20
Sublime
Wonderful, painful, beautiful - one of my all time favourite novels. Ben Whishaw’s reading is beyond perfect.
4 people found this helpful
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- Mr. Roger S. E. Allen
- 02-08-20
Maurice
What a beautifully read story. It was perfect. Especially the explanation at the end. A period piece that must have been revolutionary at the time when it were written.
4 people found this helpful
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- George D. Lush
- 08-08-20
Irritating
An irritating story of a closeted man set, of course, in another era. The book is nicely read but now as always men who hide their sexuality irritate me. What makes them so special.
A long career in shell oil allowed me to field questions from colleagues asking how their intimates knew they were gay? Who cares
2 people found this helpful
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- D Wilson
- 17-03-21
A beautifully told classic
I come back to this book at least every two years and this audio version is beautifully told and acted by Ben Whishaw. Despite its time, it’s the fight of two men have to love each other with class, religion and hypocrisy all doing their best to stop them. Enjoy!
1 person found this helpful
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- Wilhelm Snyman
- 01-01-21
Superb
Ben Whishaw's masterful rendering of this brilliant novel is a match made in heaven. The intuitive response to the text by the narrator makes for an engaging, indeed compelling work and one to which one will return again and again.
1 person found this helpful
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- Timotea
- 21-08-20
Dreary performance from Ben Whishaw
Predictable story about ‘forbidden’ love in the 50’s. Very depressing and some how Ben Whishaws’ rendition makes it worse.
Did not enjoy it at all.
1 person found this helpful
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- Mr. M. L. P. Horabin
- 22-05-22
Clear and well paced
I enjoyed this and found it well paced to reflect on the narrative and characters
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- Nga Yin Poon
- 05-08-20
Whishaw’s performance is phenomenal
I wrote to Audible a few years ago hoping them to invite Ben Whishaw to do audiobooks. Finally Brief Answer to the Big Questions was released and now Maurice. Whishaw’s performance is phenomenal. Silky, musical voice. Total enjoyment to my ears.