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cjbookjunkie's review
5.0
The narration of this audiobook is the best I've heard. I would recommend everyone whether young or old listen to these wonderful stories. The Jungle Book was one of the first movies I can remember seeing at the movie theater when it was first released. It was great to read the stories upon which the movie was based.
amybibliophile's review
3.0
Short 20 min or so episodes, which make great listening for a younger audience.
Well told with a full cast of characters. The Jungle Book used to be my favorite film growing up and brought back some great memories!
Well told with a full cast of characters. The Jungle Book used to be my favorite film growing up and brought back some great memories!
agirlushouldknow's review
2.0
The audio production of this is very good. I lately have been complaining about productions but not this time.
In addition I have never read the stories themselves. I have only seen the Disney movies and I was pleasantly surprised by the richness of the story. I had assumed they would be somehow less. Even so though there was a thread in the writing that bothered me when comparing the animals to Mowgli and then it dawned on me.
My problem being is how Rudyard Kipling himself and his writings are inexorably interconnected with racism and the superiority of the white man. Reading just the Mowgli stories reduces my exposure to the other portions of the Jungle Book, but I have read parts of the other stories such as "White Man's Burden".
I realize some people say to separate the artist from the art, or that some of the art can be salvageable and I don't think I can do that with this story. I will give it 2 stars, but that is because of my connection with Disney.
In addition I have never read the stories themselves. I have only seen the Disney movies and I was pleasantly surprised by the richness of the story. I had assumed they would be somehow less. Even so though there was a thread in the writing that bothered me when comparing the animals to Mowgli and then it dawned on me.
My problem being is how Rudyard Kipling himself and his writings are inexorably interconnected with racism and the superiority of the white man. Reading just the Mowgli stories reduces my exposure to the other portions of the Jungle Book, but I have read parts of the other stories such as "White Man's Burden".
I realize some people say to separate the artist from the art, or that some of the art can be salvageable and I don't think I can do that with this story. I will give it 2 stars, but that is because of my connection with Disney.
abomine's review
5.0
Let's just get this part out of the way first. Rudyard Kipling was a colonialist, racist fuckoff who deserved a good punch in the face, or at least a backhanded slap.
Luckily, none of his "mighty whitey" attitudes managed to creep their way into this book, or otherwise pollute a fantastic read. It's beautifully written, has awesome world-building, fun stories, memorable characters (Kaa is my favorite), nuggets of wisdom, a bit of a sharp edge, and even a touch of melancholy. It's everything I could ever want from a book.
I've read both Jungle Books before, and my review largely applies to those. This Audible dramatization in particular is especially good for those who are in the mood for just the Mowgli stories.
Luckily, none of his "mighty whitey" attitudes managed to creep their way into this book, or otherwise pollute a fantastic read. It's beautifully written, has awesome world-building, fun stories, memorable characters (Kaa is my favorite), nuggets of wisdom, a bit of a sharp edge, and even a touch of melancholy. It's everything I could ever want from a book.
I've read both Jungle Books before, and my review largely applies to those. This Audible dramatization in particular is especially good for those who are in the mood for just the Mowgli stories.
lucyp747d4's review
3.0
Having only seen the Disney animation and live action versions of this story I was very keen to listen to this audible version. I enjoyed the dramatised production and found all the characters were portrayed well. It was a relatively easy story to follow and the short episodes allowed me to listen with ease whilst I was doing a job. For me there is nothing worse than having to stop an audio story mid chapter!
Whilst I would recommend this story to families and children I did find aspects of it quite dark so if you were expecting it to be similar to the Disney cartoon animation then you will be disappointed. If you are going to let children listen to it then I would say it's suitable for 8 years+.
I did enjoy this story but I found my mind wondering every now and again and I didn't get the same level of excitement that I was expecting. It has made me more inclined to read the actual book itself, which has been sitting on my shelf for a while. Just to see how it compares.
Whilst I would recommend this story to families and children I did find aspects of it quite dark so if you were expecting it to be similar to the Disney cartoon animation then you will be disappointed. If you are going to let children listen to it then I would say it's suitable for 8 years+.
I did enjoy this story but I found my mind wondering every now and again and I didn't get the same level of excitement that I was expecting. It has made me more inclined to read the actual book itself, which has been sitting on my shelf for a while. Just to see how it compares.
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