20 Timeless Fiction Audiobooks

20 Timeless Fiction
Audiobooks

We turn to books for joy, for laughter, and for comfort... for stories that stir the soul, expand the mind, or bring us some much-needed fun. And although new stories are released every day in every corner of the globe, there are some tales that are as timeless as the art of storytelling itself. From mystifying wizarding worlds to mind-boggling alternate universes, these fiction audiobooks will capture your imagination and stay with you, long after you’ve listened to the final chapter.
Product list
    • By: Delia Owens
    • Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
    • Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
    • Release date: 08-11-2018
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 12,351 ratings
    • Where the Crawdads Sing takes listeners to Barkley Cove, a quiet coastal town in North Carolina where rumours of the 'Marsh Girl' have haunted residents for decades. When the handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals suspect Kya Clark: a sensitive and intelligent girl who has survived for years alone in the local swamps. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself up to the possibility of a new life — until the unthinkable happens. Cassandra Campbell’s stunning narration takes listeners through a heartbreaking coming-of-age story that reminds us of the beautiful and violent secrets nature keeps.

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    • By: Trent Dalton
    • Narrated by: Stig Wemyss
    • Length: 16 hrs and 42 mins
    • Release date: 20-06-2018
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 6,311 ratings
    • Listen to the novel that took Australia by storm. Winner of Book of the Year at the 2019 Indie Book Awards, and a record four Australian Book Industry Awards, Boy Swallows Universe tells the story of Eli who lives in Brisbane in 1983. With a lost father, a mute brother, a mum in jail, a heroin dealer for a stepfather and a notorious criminal for a babysitter, his life is incredibly complicated. Through it all, Eli is just trying to get by and follow his heart. However, obstacles keep getting in the way — obstacles that include Tytus Broz, legendary Brisbane drug dealer. Veteran narrator Stig Wemyss takes the wheel in a beautiful, heart-exploding ride that explores themes of brotherhood, true love, and friendship in the most unlikely of places.

    Non-member price: $33.99 or 1 Credit

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    • Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire
    • By: George R.R. Martin
    • Narrated by: Roy Dotrice
    • Series: A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1
    • Length: 33 hrs and 45 mins
    • Release date: 03-11-2015
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 5,123 ratings
    • A Game of Thrones is where it all started. It’s the first installment of George R.R. Martin’s international best-seller fantasy epic A Song of Ice and Fire, which spawned the hit HBO TV series of the same name. But while you may have watched the show and read the books, you’ve never heard the tale told quite like this. In the audiobook rendition, British actor Roy Doctrice introduces listeners to Westeros: a land where time feels lost in the harshness of endless seasons, impenetrable landscapes, and the unwavering battle for the Iron Throne. From dark forces to lust, bloodshed, dragons, and everything in between, this title will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

    Non-member price: $43.99 or 1 Credit

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    • By: Neil Gaiman
    • Narrated by: Neil Gaiman, Dennis Boutskiaris, Daniel Oreskes, Ron McLarty, Sarah Jones
    • Series: American Gods, Book 1
    • Length: 19 hrs and 36 mins
    • Release date: 12-04-2012
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,210 ratings
    • Neil Gaiman is among the greatest sci-fi and fantasy writers of all time, and American Gods is one of his most ambitious works to date. In this electrifying audiobook, the author himself teams up with Audie Award-winning voice actor Ron McLarty to reimagine the magical landscape for a new audience. Listeners embark on a journey with former convict Shadow, who is seeking something — anything to keep him grounded following his release from prison. When a mysterious and charming stranger named Mr Wednesday offers him a job, he eagerly accepts. But Shadow had no idea of the unimaginable journey across places and planes of existence that he was signing up for. With its engrossing story and a full cast of exceptional narrators, it’s impossible not to get lost in the complex, expertly constructed world of American Gods.

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    • By: Liane Moriarty
    • Narrated by: Caroline Lee
    • Length: 15 hrs and 55 mins
    • Release date: 27-07-2014
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,328 ratings
    • Now an award-winning HBO series starring Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley and Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies follows the seemingly perfect lives of three upper-class mothers at a prestigious primary school. Everything looks squeaky clean on the surface. That is, until the school trivia night ends in a full-blown riot... and one parent turns up dead. Big Little Lies provides a captivating glimpse into suburban themes of violence, school-yard scandal, and betrayal — and there’s no better narrator to bring this tale to life than Caroline Lee. Lee’s relatable performance will have you hooked on Liane Moriarty’s every word, in this brilliant take on the dangerous little stories we tell ourselves to survive.

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    • By: Gail Honeyman
    • Narrated by: Cathleen McCarron
    • Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
    • Release date: 18-05-2017
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 6,824 ratings
    • Written by Gail Honeyman and read by acclaimed audiobook narrator Cathleen McCarron, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a Costa First Novel Book Award winner, a Sunday Times bestseller, and an AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award Winner — just to name a few. In this title, listeners go on a journey with Eleanor Oliphant, a woman who leads a simple life, wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal for lunch, and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend. But one simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Before she knows it, she finds herself learning to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted, while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she's avoided all her life. With a moving performance and an exclusive interview with the author and narrator, this audiobook reminds us of the healing power of friendship and change.

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    • By: Ernest Cline
    • Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
    • Series: Ready Player One, Book 1
    • Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins
    • Release date: 05-04-2012
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 7,720 ratings
    • In his 2011 best seller Ready Play One, Ernest Cline creates a captivating futuristic dystopia. The year is 2044. The world is plagued by famine and poverty. Everyone is living a grim, lifeless existence. Like most people in 2044, Wade Watts escapes this depressing reality by spending his waking hours plugged into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual world where you can be anything you want to be. Oh, and hidden inside OASIS, there’s a lottery ticket that promises control of the world — and founder James Halliday’s massive fortune — to the person who can solve the riddles he’s left behind. One science-fiction legend meets another in this audiobook rendition, as Star Trek: The Next Generation star Wil Wheaton delivers a fun, fast-paced listen for all ages.

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    • By: Stephen Fry - introductions, Arthur Conan Doyle
    • Narrated by: Stephen Fry
    • Series: Sherlock Holmes, Book 1-6
    • Length: 71 hrs and 57 mins
    • Release date: 27-02-2017
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 3,190 ratings
    • For over a century, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series has delighted millions of fans around the world. The venerable detective known for his genius and showmanship, Holmes’ deductive powers are phenomenal and his adventures nothing short of enthralling. Now the legendary Sherlock Holmes meets another British legend, Stephen Fry. Fry, who is a lifelong fan of Doyle's detective fiction, brilliantly captures the complete works of Sherlock Holmes, including four novels and five collections of short stories. And, in an Audible exclusive, Fry has written and narrated his own insightful, intimate and deeply personal introductions for each title. Whether you’re a lifelong Sherlock fan or a newcomer, no page is left unturned in this incredible collection.

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    • The Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1
    • By: Patrick Rothfuss
    • Narrated by: Rupert Degas
    • Series: Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1
    • Length: 28 hrs and 3 mins
    • Release date: 06-03-2012
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 7,222 ratings
    • The Name of the Wind is the launching point for Patrick Rothfuss’ infamous The Kingkiller Chronicles trilogy. Told in the first person, this audiobook follows the tale of Kvothe, a magically gifted young man who grows up to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen. In an intimate narrative, listeners uncover Kvothe’s humble beginnings — from his childhood in a troupe of travelling players to his years spent as an orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his bid to enter a dangerous school of magic. While it’s a challenge to capture the stories behind such a massive world, British-Australian actor Rupert Degas is more than up to the task. Through his captivating voice acting, listeners come to know and love Kvothe: the notorious magician, an accomplished thief, masterful musician, dragon-slayer, and the infamous assassin. A must-listen for any fan of fantasy.

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    • Outlander, Book 1
    • By: Diana Gabaldon
    • Narrated by: Davina Porter
    • Series: Outlander, Book 1
    • Length: 32 hrs and 38 mins
    • Release date: 12-10-2020
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,297 ratings
    • A stunning blend of historical romance and time-travelling adventure, Outlander launches listeners into the story of former combat nurse Claire Randall who returns from World War II and joins her husband for a second honeymoon. However, things change drastically when she touches a boulder in an ancient stone ruin and is transported to 1743 Scotland. Catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, Claire meets James Fraser: a gallant young Scots warrior who shows her a love so absolute that she becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire. What ensues is the Outlander series: a tale of two vastly different men in two irreconcilable timelines, as a Claire is torn between past and present, passion and love. Few narrators are capable of capturing the distinct voices of characters across time and place, but veteran Davina Porter is one of them. In a standout performance, Porter brings Diana Gabaldon’s story to life in this enthralling listen.

    Non-member price: $46.99 or 1 Credit

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    • By: Douglas Adams
    • Narrated by: Stephen Fry
    • Series: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Book 1
    • Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
    • Release date: 01-01-2012
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,670 ratings
    • After being broadcast as a radio comedy on BBC 4 in 1978, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams became an instant classic. The story follows Arthur Dent, who is taken by surprise when his friend Ford Prefect tells him that the world is about to end and that the two of them must leave the planet immediately. The duo then set off on an intergalactic search to answer life’s most enigmatic questions. Adams’ comedic classic is in great hands with a performance by one of the world’s best audiobook narrators, Stephen Fry. Fry’s dry, droll English humour fits perfectly with Adams’ prose in a laugh-out-loud listen that’s suitable for all ages.

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    • By: Heather Morris
    • Narrated by: Richard Armitage
    • Series: The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Book 1
    • Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins
    • Release date: 20-02-2018
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 6,632 ratings
    • The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews who survived Auschwitz and eventually made their home in Australia. In Auschwitz, Lale was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival. He used this infinitesimal freedom of movement to exchange jewels and money taken from murdered Jews for food to keep others alive. Despite the grim setting in which the story takes place, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a tale of hope and of courage, and almost unbelievably, of love. This uplifting story is delivered perfectly by English actor Richard Armitage, who captures the intensity of Lale and Gita’s story with compassion and dignity. A must for any listener looking to hear the tales behind the Holocaust, this story shows us the very best of humanity exists even in the very worst of circumstances.

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    • By: J.K. Rowling
    • Narrated by: Stephen Fry
    • Series: Wizarding World, Book 1, Harry Potter, Book 1
    • Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
    • Release date: 20-11-2015
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 10,526 ratings
    • The first book in J.K. Rowling’s beloved children’s series tells the story of a young boy named Harry Potter. Following the tragic death of his parents, Harry spends the first ten years of his life miserable and living in a tiny closet under the stairs with his relatives, the Dursleys. That is, until he receives a letter in the mail that reveals a shocking secret: he’s a wizard. Soon a mysterious visitor comes to rescue him, and Harry finds himself studying at The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But he’s not out of trouble yet. On top of learning how to cast spells, Harry discovers another secret that sets him off on a quest to save the wizarding world. Beautifully narrated by English actor, comedian, and writer Stephen Fry, this listen is as magical as the world of Hogwarts itself. Get ready for an epic adventure to begin.

    Non-member price: $39.95 or 1 Credit

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    • A Fable About Following Your Dream
    • By: Paulo Coelho
    • Narrated by: Jeremy Irons
    • Length: 4 hrs
    • Release date: 26-12-2004
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,239 ratings
    • Paulo Coelho’s enchanting novel finds new life in this audiobook read by English actor and activist Jeremy Irons. Dazzling in its simplicity and wisdom, The Alchemist is about an Andalusian shepherd named Santiago who travels from Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way, he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. None of them know what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to get to it. But one thing is certain: what starts out as a journey to find tangible treasure turns into a meditation on the treasures found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, The Alchemist is a deeply satisfying listen that reminds us all to listen to our hearts, recognise opportunity, and follow our dreams.

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    • By: George Orwell
    • Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
    • Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins
    • Release date: 05-11-2015
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,966 ratings
    • Andrew Wincott’s measured and dramatic reading of George Orwell’s classic novel takes listeners into the dark, menacing and dangerous world where every move is logged, and nowhere is safe. 1984 tells the tale of Winston Smith, a low-ranking citizen in the government-controlled nation of Oceania whose constituents' behaviours and thoughts are under constant surveillance by the seemingly omniscient Big Brother and the Thought Police. As Winston's distaste for the totalitarian government deepens, he takes increasingly dangerous risks in small acts of rebellion. Though he gets away with them at first, he soon learns that Big Brother is always watching. Listener beware: 1984 may have been written in 1949, but the message is as relevant now as ever.

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    • By: Margaret Atwood
    • Narrated by: Amy Landecker, Ann Dowd, Bradley Whitford, Elisabeth Moss
    • Series: The Handmaid's Tale, Book 1
    • Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
    • Release date: 30-04-2019
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,582 ratings
    • In this classic series by the legendary Margaret Atwood, listeners follow the story of Offred, a woman who is stripped of her personal identity and forced to work in the Republic of Gilead. There, she only has one function: to breed. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire. Not Offred's, or that of the two men on which her future hangs. Brilliantly conceived and masterfully executed, The Handmaid’s Tale is brimming with scathing satire and social commentary on 21st Century America. Elisabeth Moss, the star of the hit TV series adaptation of the novel, brings the Republic of Gilead to life in a beautifully produced audiobook that matches the heft of Atwood’s elegant, economical prose.

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    • By: Andrzej Sapkowski
    • Narrated by: Peter Kenny
    • Series: The Witcher
    • Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
    • Release date: 27-02-2014
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,212 ratings
    • If you loved The Witcher video game series or Netflix series, The Last Wish is the perfect introduction to Andrzej Sapkowski’s one-of-a-kind fantasy world. In this collection of short stories that predate the first Witcher novel, listeners uncover everything they need to know about the Continent and the infamous Witcher: Geralt of Rivia. Revered and hated, Geralt hunts the vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent — all in exchange for coin, of course. Audie Award nominee Peter Kenny is the ideal pick to bring Sapkowski’s imaginative universe to life. With his outstanding voice acting, Kenny flawlessly depicts the different characters in the Witcher universe, including Dandelion, a poet friend of Geralt’s; Yennifer, a sorceress with whom Geralt begins a troubled relationship; and Triss, a sorceress and the third point of the Geralt’s love triangle.

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    • Don Tillman, Book 1
    • By: Graeme Simsion
    • Narrated by: Dan O'Grady
    • Series: Don Tillman, Book 1
    • Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins
    • Release date: 25-09-2014
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,657 ratings
    • Written by Graeme Simsion and narrated by Dan O’ Grady, The Rosie Project is the start of the Don Tillman series: the story of a brilliant, socially inept professor of genetics who decides he wants to find a wife. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. He designs The Wife Project: a 16-page, scientifically-valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, and any other undesirables. When he meets Rosie Jarmon, Don's Wife Project is put on the back burner. An unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie — and the realisation that love is not always what looks good on paper.

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    • By: Paula Hawkins
    • Narrated by: India Fisher, Louise Brealey, Clare Corbett
    • Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
    • Release date: 15-01-2015
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,855 ratings
    • Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. Jess and Jason, she calls them. To Rachel, their lives are perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. One day, she sees something shocking — which sets off a series of events that draw her further and further into the lives she’s been watching from afar. Clare Corbett, India Fisher and Louise Brealey bring Paula Hawkins’ captivating psychological thriller to life in a gripping listen that will have you guessing until the very end.

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    • The Fellowship of the Ring
    • By: J. R.R. Tolkien
    • Narrated by: Rob Inglis
    • Series: The Lord of the Rings, Book 1
    • Length: 19 hrs and 53 mins
    • Release date: 26-12-2004
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 2,648 ratings
    • It all started here. The first story in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary fantasy series The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring tells the story of a young Frodo Baggins, who finds himself faced with an immense task. He must destroy the evil Ring of Power before it falls into the hands of the Dark Lord, Sauron. With his fellowship at his side, Frodo sets off on a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the cracks of Mount Doom. There, he can cast the ring into the pits of fire and vanquish Sauron once and for all. In a highly listenable narration by Aussie actor Rob Inglis, listeners will set off on an epic adventure through one of the greatest imaginative works of fiction ever conceived.

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Audiobook lists are hand-picked by Audible editors; inclusion is based on a number of factors including
listener ratings, narrator performances, presence on Audible best seller lists and cultural relevance.


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