Preview
  • Their Eyes Were Watching God

  • By: Zora Neale Hurston
  • Narrated by: Ruby Dee
  • Length: 2 hrs and 45 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (300 ratings)

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Their Eyes Were Watching God

By: Zora Neale Hurston
Narrated by: Ruby Dee
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Publisher's summary

This recently rediscovered and critically acclaimed 1937 novel tells the story of Janie Crawford, a long-legged, articulate, and fiercely independent African-American woman of the 1930s. Janie's quest for identity includes three marriages and a return to her roots. Despite her struggles, Janie never defines herself by regret, fear, or unrealistic dreams, and refuses to be anything but her own person. Read by actress Ruby Dee, this outstanding recording has been widely praised for its flawless adaptation of Hurston's classic.
©1937, 1965 Zora Neale Hurston (P)1997, 2000, 2004 HarperCollins Publishers
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Critic reviews

"Ruby Dee does an excellent job of narrating Hurston's classic 1937 novel." (Library Journal)
"This audio succeeds in its rich descriptions and freshness of dialogue, delivering in terms that are alternately funny and moving." (Publishers Weekly)

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Editor's Pick

Zora Neale Hurston’s masterpiece—completely accessible
"Thank the literary gods I picked up Their Eyes Were Watching God before I knew it was ‘a classic’ written in 1937 and published years later. I loved the story of Janie Crawford, reared by her Grandmother, married to a respectable but incompatible husband, who comes into her own at age 38—love, loss, and great storytelling ensue. Because Hurston was an anthropologist as well as novelist, narrator Ruby Dee has rich language to work with in personifying unforgettable characters."
Christina H., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Their Eyes Were Watching God

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  • Overall
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No one could have brought Zora's story to life

better than the Late Great Ruby Dee! Such an adventure! I was transported back in time and back to an AMAZING Love Story!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Their Eyes were Watching God

Brief, but poignant. Really worth hearing, although occasionally a little hard to understand the accents, for us northerners. This is already heading towards being considered a classic. An ideal audio selection.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Interesting

Excellent narrator! To hear her is way much better than reading the book. Enjoyed it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Enthralling

Even though I had read this book many years ago, I decided to “read” it again particularly because it was narrated by Ruby Dee. I loved the imagery that Ms. Hurston wove into the story. Ms. Ruby Dee did an outstanding job bringing each of the characters to life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was sorry for it to come to an end.

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  • Overall
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Ruby Dee's timeless voice keeps the listener glued

I personally loved the book. The story line was quite interesting and though it was nonfiction, the author brought the story to life in such a way that it very well could have been someone's real life story . very believable for the people who lived in that era and struggle. loved it!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Passages missing??????

Great reader and love this story. However, I’m pretty upset that there are so many sentences missing from the reading! Why would they do that?

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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loved it!

Aside from Ms. Houston's exquisite use of prose, Ruby Dee's narration totally takes the cake.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

First book I every heard or read by author. Beautiful and sad story. Will read more of this author.

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    4 out of 5 stars

A lovely performance!

If you could sum up Their Eyes Were Watching God in three words, what would they be?

Incredibly beautiful language!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Their Eyes Were Watching God?

When Nannie says "Put me down easy, Janie, I'm a cracked plate.”

Which scene was your favorite?

The opening scene, when Janie walks thru town and past all the gossipers.

Any additional comments?

Beautiful language and amazing performance!

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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This is a classic!

Ruby Dee's reading was magical, I felt as though I was in a theater. Janie grew so much in this novel.

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1 person found this helpful