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The Spire

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The Spire

By: William Golding
Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch
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About this listen

Dean Jocelin has a vision: that God has chosen him to erect a great spire on his cathedral. His mason anxiously advises against it, for the old cathedral was built without foundations. Nevertheless, the spire rises octagon upon octagon, pinnacle by pinnacle, until the stone pillars shriek and the ground beneath it swims. Its shadow falls ever darker on the world below, and on Dean Jocelin in particular.
From the author of Lord of the Flies, The Spire is a dark and powerful portrait of one man's will, and the folly that he creates.

©1964 William Golding (P)2014 Faber & Faber Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction
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having a book read to you adds another dimension to the story. If you hate the voice and if you are familiar with a story but dislike the actor's take on the story it makes for a painful listen. Fortunately this was not a painful few hours. I am a fan of Mr Cumberbatch and I have to say his involvement in this was one of the reasons I decided to listen. I'm glad I did. I think I could listen to him forever.

Brilliant actor

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Benedict Cumberbatch brings impressive skills to his reading of Golding’s decade old writing. In a relatively short book the interplay of some key monastic characters is developed, as The Spire draws painstakingly higher. The psychological interplay between the Master Mason and the Dean is complex but beautifully revealed by great performance. Possibly one of the best Audible productions I have enjoyed, and I have listened to dozens. Absolutely recommended. Golding’s Lord of the Flies may have brought him fame, but I feel this is his masterpiece.

A remarkable performance, incredible psychological interplay.

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