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The Monster Collection
Audible presents a special edition of three Gothic tales for the price of one: a brand-new Audible Exclusive recording of Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (ch2), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (ch12) and Bram Stoker's Dracula (ch39).
Bursting with intrigue and suspense, they resurrect the deepest and darkest of all our fears: that a monster lurks, and it lurks within us.
Introductions by Dr Maria Mellins and Dr Peter Howell, Senior Lecturers in Gothic literature at St Mary's University, London, this collection offers additional insight into these audiobooks, their authors and their legacies.
Starting with Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Richard Armitage tells the story of a conflicted man who seeks to free the monster inside him from the clutches of his conscience.
Following his celebrated performances of David Copperfield and David Hewson's Romeo and Juliet for Audible, Armitage delivers another powerhouse performance as the narrator of this Gothic tale.
Shilling shocker enthusiast Stevenson was celebrated throughout his life. In contrast to Mary Shelley, who was often overshadowed by her husband's work, Stevenson lived comfortably by his pen.
It was only with the release of Frankenstein that Shelley finally distinguished herself. Frankenstein was groundbreaking in its ability to fuse passion and romance with gore and horror.
Narrated by Dan Stevens, who rose to fame through Downton Abbey, and Beauty and the Beast, the story of science student Victor Frankenstein has been artfully retold.
Testing the limits of science, Frankenstein fashions a living being from the conjoined body parts of rotting cadavers. Horrified at the end result, he abandons his monster, leaving him to endure a life of isolation and loneliness.
A poignant example of human weakness and our inability to take responsibility for our actions, Frankenstein is both moving and terrifying.
That leads us to the gruesome tale of Count Dracula, the bloodthirsty father of the undead.
Narrated by Greg Wise, star of The Crown and Sense and Sensibility; Greg depicts a young lawyer whose services are hired by a sinister Transylvanian count.
Releasing Dracula 80 years after Frankenstein, Bram Stoker was greatly influenced by Shelley's writing style and similarly propels the story along through diary entries, letters and newspaper cuttings. Possessed of grisly imagery and unexpected twists, it's no wonder that Dracula still manages to shake us to our very core.
All that remains is to offer a note of caution: this collection is not for the fainthearted. Old as these tales may be, do not mistake the unsettling nature of their content.
Grab some popcorn, turn the speakers up and enjoy. Just don't say we didn't warn you.
Bursting with intrigue and suspense, they resurrect the deepest and darkest of all our fears: that a monster lurks, and it lurks within us.
Introductions by Dr Maria Mellins and Dr Peter Howell, Senior Lecturers in Gothic literature at St Mary's University, London, this collection offers additional insight into these audiobooks, their authors and their legacies.
Starting with Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Richard Armitage tells the story of a conflicted man who seeks to free the monster inside him from the clutches of his conscience.
Following his celebrated performances of David Copperfield and David Hewson's Romeo and Juliet for Audible, Armitage delivers another powerhouse performance as the narrator of this Gothic tale.
Shilling shocker enthusiast Stevenson was celebrated throughout his life. In contrast to Mary Shelley, who was often overshadowed by her husband's work, Stevenson lived comfortably by his pen.
It was only with the release of Frankenstein that Shelley finally distinguished herself. Frankenstein was groundbreaking in its ability to fuse passion and romance with gore and horror.
Narrated by Dan Stevens, who rose to fame through Downton Abbey, and Beauty and the Beast, the story of science student Victor Frankenstein has been artfully retold.
Testing the limits of science, Frankenstein fashions a living being from the conjoined body parts of rotting cadavers. Horrified at the end result, he abandons his monster, leaving him to endure a life of isolation and loneliness.
A poignant example of human weakness and our inability to take responsibility for our actions, Frankenstein is both moving and terrifying.
That leads us to the gruesome tale of Count Dracula, the bloodthirsty father of the undead.
Narrated by Greg Wise, star of The Crown and Sense and Sensibility; Greg depicts a young lawyer whose services are hired by a sinister Transylvanian count.
Releasing Dracula 80 years after Frankenstein, Bram Stoker was greatly influenced by Shelley's writing style and similarly propels the story along through diary entries, letters and newspaper cuttings. Possessed of grisly imagery and unexpected twists, it's no wonder that Dracula still manages to shake us to our very core.
All that remains is to offer a note of caution: this collection is not for the fainthearted. Old as these tales may be, do not mistake the unsettling nature of their content.
Grab some popcorn, turn the speakers up and enjoy. Just don't say we didn't warn you.
Audible Audio
Published October 24, 2017
36 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
2,341 books8,489 followersMary Shelley (née Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, often known as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley) was an English novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, travel writer, and editor of the works of her husband, Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. She was the daughter of the political philosopher William Godwin and the writer, philosopher, and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.
Mary Shelley was taken seriously as a writer in her own lifetime, though reviewers often missed the political edge to her novels. After her death, however, she was chiefly remembered only as the wife of Percy Bysshe Shelley and as the author of Frankenstein. It was not until 1989, when Emily Sunstein published her prizewinning biography Mary Shelley: Romance and Reality, that a full-length scholarly biography analyzing all of Shelley's letters, journals, and works within their historical context was published.
The well-meaning attempts of Mary Shelley's son and daughter-in-law to "Victorianise" her memory through the censoring of letters and biographical material contributed to a perception of Mary Shelley as a more conventional, less reformist figure than her works suggest. Her own timid omissions from Percy Shelley's works and her quiet avoidance of public controversy in the later years of her life added to this impression.
The eclipse of Mary Shelley's reputation as a novelist and biographer meant that, until the last thirty years, most of her works remained out of print, obstructing a larger view of her achievement. She was seen as a one-novel author, if that. In recent decades, however, the republication of almost all her writings has stimulated a new recognition of its value. Her voracious reading habits and intensive study, revealed in her journals and letters and reflected in her works, is now better appreciated. Shelley's recognition of herself as an author has also been recognized; after Percy's death, she wrote about her authorial ambitions: "I think that I can maintain myself, and there is something inspiriting in the idea". Scholars now consider Mary Shelley to be a major Romantic figure, significant for her literary achievement and her political voice as a woman and a liberal.
Mary Shelley was taken seriously as a writer in her own lifetime, though reviewers often missed the political edge to her novels. After her death, however, she was chiefly remembered only as the wife of Percy Bysshe Shelley and as the author of Frankenstein. It was not until 1989, when Emily Sunstein published her prizewinning biography Mary Shelley: Romance and Reality, that a full-length scholarly biography analyzing all of Shelley's letters, journals, and works within their historical context was published.
The well-meaning attempts of Mary Shelley's son and daughter-in-law to "Victorianise" her memory through the censoring of letters and biographical material contributed to a perception of Mary Shelley as a more conventional, less reformist figure than her works suggest. Her own timid omissions from Percy Shelley's works and her quiet avoidance of public controversy in the later years of her life added to this impression.
The eclipse of Mary Shelley's reputation as a novelist and biographer meant that, until the last thirty years, most of her works remained out of print, obstructing a larger view of her achievement. She was seen as a one-novel author, if that. In recent decades, however, the republication of almost all her writings has stimulated a new recognition of its value. Her voracious reading habits and intensive study, revealed in her journals and letters and reflected in her works, is now better appreciated. Shelley's recognition of herself as an author has also been recognized; after Percy's death, she wrote about her authorial ambitions: "I think that I can maintain myself, and there is something inspiriting in the idea". Scholars now consider Mary Shelley to be a major Romantic figure, significant for her literary achievement and her political voice as a woman and a liberal.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 29, 2019
Ok so first of, I’ve read both Frankenstein and Dracula before and didn’t really like them all that much. I admit I only bought this collection because of Richard Armitage. Sue me. I love the man’s voice. I’ll listen to anything for him. So there.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – read by Richard Armitage
Narration: 5 stars. All the stars!!!!
Story: 4 stars.
This is the only book of the collection that was new to me. I’ve seen Jekyll/Hyde in various adaptations (for example in Penny Dreadful) and knew the basic idea behind the story, but that was it.
I was really surprised by how such a “simple” story can have such a strange, thought-provoking effect. I wonder if part of that was the amazing narration, or if the story in itself is powerful enough. I guess I’ll have to read it and see.
The narration was, as expected, simply wonderful. Armitage is an incredibly talented narrator, and the ease with which he slipped back and forth between Jekyll and Hyde’s voices and played with them was just brilliant. If you don’t really enjoy audiobooks, listen to one read by him, I can’t recommend him highly enough.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – read by Dan Stevens
Narration: 4.5 stars
Story: 1 star
See, the thing is. I HATE Frankenstein. I really do. The first time I read it was at university, and I loathed it from the beginning. There’s just something about the style that irks me. Part of it is the incredibly romanticist writing (seriously, every time anyone starts gushing about the mountains, and the grass, and the fish in the lake, and the sublimity of it all, I kinda want to throw up. Call me callous and heartless, I don’t care. I’ve never been one for this style.), and mostly I just wished the actual creation of the monster would’ve been explored just a little more. I’ll admit the underlying themes of god and evil are interesting, I just don’t like the way they are explored in this story. Then, years later, I saw Danny Boyle’s stage adaptation with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller (which was kind of awesome if you ask me) and thought “huh. Maybe I need to re-read this. The book can’t have been as awful as I remember…”. So I re-read it. And hated it even more.
What I’m trying to say is that I had zero expectations going into this again. I was hoping if anyone could get me to finish this story, it would be Dan Stevens. Because hello. It’s Dan Stevens. I mean. What’s not to love? But sadly, even he couldn’t get me to listen to the whole thing. And his narration was really good…
Bram Stoker’s Dracula - read by Greg Wise and Saskia Reeves
Narration: 4 stars for Greg Wise, 1 for Saskia Reeve
Story: 3 stars
I was actually pleasantly surprised. I couldn’t really remember much about Dracula. There have been so many different approaches to the story that I have to admit I had forgotten most of the book. I still think it’s a bit too long, but I enjoyed listening to it again.
As for the narration, I enjoyed the parts read by Greg Wise. I only know him from Emma Thompson’s adaptation of Sense and Sensibility (he played Willoughby), and was pleasantly surprised by his performance. At first I thought he was maybe a bit too monotonous, but I ended up really enjoying listening to him. But then there were the parts read by Saskia Reeves. She read the parts that were from Mina and Lucy’s point of view, and unfortunately, I just don’t like her voice. She tried hard to copy the different accents used by Greg Wise, but, in my opinion, she just couldn’t quite pull it off. Her attempts to imitate Wise’s “Van Helsing” voice in particular had me actually skipping most of her parts.
All in all, I really enjoyed this collection. Even if I didn’t finish Frankenstein, it was well worth the time. But I guess I’d say that about any collection that features anything read by Richard Armitage :D
All three audiobooks are unabridged and feature an introduction by two professors from St. Mary’s University, London, written specifically for this production.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – read by Richard Armitage
Narration: 5 stars. All the stars!!!!
Story: 4 stars.
This is the only book of the collection that was new to me. I’ve seen Jekyll/Hyde in various adaptations (for example in Penny Dreadful) and knew the basic idea behind the story, but that was it.
I was really surprised by how such a “simple” story can have such a strange, thought-provoking effect. I wonder if part of that was the amazing narration, or if the story in itself is powerful enough. I guess I’ll have to read it and see.
The narration was, as expected, simply wonderful. Armitage is an incredibly talented narrator, and the ease with which he slipped back and forth between Jekyll and Hyde’s voices and played with them was just brilliant. If you don’t really enjoy audiobooks, listen to one read by him, I can’t recommend him highly enough.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – read by Dan Stevens
Narration: 4.5 stars
Story: 1 star
See, the thing is. I HATE Frankenstein. I really do. The first time I read it was at university, and I loathed it from the beginning. There’s just something about the style that irks me. Part of it is the incredibly romanticist writing (seriously, every time anyone starts gushing about the mountains, and the grass, and the fish in the lake, and the sublimity of it all, I kinda want to throw up. Call me callous and heartless, I don’t care. I’ve never been one for this style.), and mostly I just wished the actual creation of the monster would’ve been explored just a little more. I’ll admit the underlying themes of god and evil are interesting, I just don’t like the way they are explored in this story. Then, years later, I saw Danny Boyle’s stage adaptation with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller (which was kind of awesome if you ask me) and thought “huh. Maybe I need to re-read this. The book can’t have been as awful as I remember…”. So I re-read it. And hated it even more.
What I’m trying to say is that I had zero expectations going into this again. I was hoping if anyone could get me to finish this story, it would be Dan Stevens. Because hello. It’s Dan Stevens. I mean. What’s not to love? But sadly, even he couldn’t get me to listen to the whole thing. And his narration was really good…
Bram Stoker’s Dracula - read by Greg Wise and Saskia Reeves
Narration: 4 stars for Greg Wise, 1 for Saskia Reeve
Story: 3 stars
I was actually pleasantly surprised. I couldn’t really remember much about Dracula. There have been so many different approaches to the story that I have to admit I had forgotten most of the book. I still think it’s a bit too long, but I enjoyed listening to it again.
As for the narration, I enjoyed the parts read by Greg Wise. I only know him from Emma Thompson’s adaptation of Sense and Sensibility (he played Willoughby), and was pleasantly surprised by his performance. At first I thought he was maybe a bit too monotonous, but I ended up really enjoying listening to him. But then there were the parts read by Saskia Reeves. She read the parts that were from Mina and Lucy’s point of view, and unfortunately, I just don’t like her voice. She tried hard to copy the different accents used by Greg Wise, but, in my opinion, she just couldn’t quite pull it off. Her attempts to imitate Wise’s “Van Helsing” voice in particular had me actually skipping most of her parts.
All in all, I really enjoyed this collection. Even if I didn’t finish Frankenstein, it was well worth the time. But I guess I’d say that about any collection that features anything read by Richard Armitage :D
All three audiobooks are unabridged and feature an introduction by two professors from St. Mary’s University, London, written specifically for this production.
October 31, 2020
Jekyll and Hyde is Phenomenal and well performed
Frankenstein is a glorious character study.
Dracula is garbage and the faux Transylvanian accents are grating. DNFed.
Frankenstein is a glorious character study.
Dracula is garbage and the faux Transylvanian accents are grating. DNFed.
August 10, 2021
A wonderful collection, all brilliantly read. The stories are familiar but I’ve never actually read the originals. Dracula was a surprise favourite but they were all excellent.
October 14, 2020
Best for... First!
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was for me the best of the 3 books, both in terms of performance and story wise.
Both Frankenstein and Dracula were too melodramatic for my taste and as much as I enjoy watching both Dan Stevens and Greg Wise onscreen, neither of them has Richard Armitage's knack for audiobooks.
In this first book, each character really had their own voice, sometimes to such an extent that I could no longer recognise the familiar tunes of Armitage's own voice. That's how good it was.
I particularly enjoyed the voice transitions that revealed the switch from Jekyll to Hyde and vice versa.
The book's theme was the most interesting, it wasn't too long so it never got boring (3h aka only 1/10 of TMC's runtime) and I finished it all in a day.
Performance ***** Story ****
As for Frankenstein it was probably the less stimulating of the 3. It was a continual retelling of life stories, one inside each other and Dan Stevens's voice, as soothing as it felt in the beginning, soon started to feel monotonous and not very modulated. The structure of the book didn't help much; still I feel like one telling their story seldom maintains the same intonation throughout the whole of it.
Walton was the character I most enjoyed hearing from. And to think that at the beginning I only wanted his letters to be over so it would finally get to the story, to the action...
I lost interest in the story from the moment of Frankenstein's reaction to his newly awakened 'monster'. I did enjoy the Coleridge quote right after that, though.
Performance ** Story **
Finally Dracula.
It made up 61% of the runtime but it thankfully wasn't as tedious as Frankenstein. It was again a series of intertwined accounts but it was much more organic. Once in a certain character's POV you had dialogue between several characters, so it wasn't as lonely and claustrophobic as being stuck between Frankenstein's complaining and the monster's whining. I didn't enjoy it per se but it wasn't a perpetual lamentation.
I was not keen on the remarks made by both male and female characters on the nature of the sexes. I've read older books that didn't feel as dated and medieval in that regard.
As to preformances, while Greg Wise's reading of Dracula and of Dr van Helsing varied in tone they were both made in practically the same accent. The distinction between Jonathan Harker and John Seward was likewise minimal, if existent at all.
Saskia Reeves's Lucy and Mina were very similar as well and her Dr van Helsing bordered on painful. Otherwise I think I liked listening to her more and both readers did a decent job in regards to voice modulation.
Preformances *** Story ***
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was for me the best of the 3 books, both in terms of performance and story wise.
Both Frankenstein and Dracula were too melodramatic for my taste and as much as I enjoy watching both Dan Stevens and Greg Wise onscreen, neither of them has Richard Armitage's knack for audiobooks.
In this first book, each character really had their own voice, sometimes to such an extent that I could no longer recognise the familiar tunes of Armitage's own voice. That's how good it was.
I particularly enjoyed the voice transitions that revealed the switch from Jekyll to Hyde and vice versa.
The book's theme was the most interesting, it wasn't too long so it never got boring (3h aka only 1/10 of TMC's runtime) and I finished it all in a day.
Performance ***** Story ****
As for Frankenstein it was probably the less stimulating of the 3. It was a continual retelling of life stories, one inside each other and Dan Stevens's voice, as soothing as it felt in the beginning, soon started to feel monotonous and not very modulated. The structure of the book didn't help much; still I feel like one telling their story seldom maintains the same intonation throughout the whole of it.
Walton was the character I most enjoyed hearing from. And to think that at the beginning I only wanted his letters to be over so it would finally get to the story, to the action...
I lost interest in the story from the moment of Frankenstein's reaction to his newly awakened 'monster'. I did enjoy the Coleridge quote right after that, though.
Performance ** Story **
Finally Dracula.
It made up 61% of the runtime but it thankfully wasn't as tedious as Frankenstein. It was again a series of intertwined accounts but it was much more organic. Once in a certain character's POV you had dialogue between several characters, so it wasn't as lonely and claustrophobic as being stuck between Frankenstein's complaining and the monster's whining. I didn't enjoy it per se but it wasn't a perpetual lamentation.
I was not keen on the remarks made by both male and female characters on the nature of the sexes. I've read older books that didn't feel as dated and medieval in that regard.
As to preformances, while Greg Wise's reading of Dracula and of Dr van Helsing varied in tone they were both made in practically the same accent. The distinction between Jonathan Harker and John Seward was likewise minimal, if existent at all.
Saskia Reeves's Lucy and Mina were very similar as well and her Dr van Helsing bordered on painful. Otherwise I think I liked listening to her more and both readers did a decent job in regards to voice modulation.
Preformances *** Story ***
September 25, 2025
the voice acting was fantastic and really enjoyed the experience, helping to actually read these classics that I've always known the stories of.
In terms of the actual stories, enjoyed Jekyll and Hyde, Frakenstein; I enjoyed some of the ominous build up, but was also a bit too whiney and went on a bit. Dracula was better but also was long and repetitive (Van Helsing is MVP but he needs to reign it in)
In terms of the actual stories, enjoyed Jekyll and Hyde, Frakenstein; I enjoyed some of the ominous build up, but was also a bit too whiney and went on a bit. Dracula was better but also was long and repetitive (Van Helsing is MVP but he needs to reign it in)
April 17, 2018
This review is just for Dracula, the others are reviewed separately.
Part of The Monster Collection, an audible production box with all three in it.
Narrated by Greg Wise and Saskia Reeves; an unabridged version.
By my count, Greg Wise has read Dracula at least twice and he’s good at it.
Annoyingly, I got to 85% done and my audiobook jammed. I tried deleting and downloading it again, but to no avail. Eventually I had to download it and listen on my PC.
Until they chase the wagon down in the snow and fight their way through gypsies with knives…
Brilliant.
I think the full cast audio was better [ come on - Tim Curry as Van Helsing???] but the book is always 5 stars
Part of The Monster Collection, an audible production box with all three in it.
Narrated by Greg Wise and Saskia Reeves; an unabridged version.
By my count, Greg Wise has read Dracula at least twice and he’s good at it.
Annoyingly, I got to 85% done and my audiobook jammed. I tried deleting and downloading it again, but to no avail. Eventually I had to download it and listen on my PC.
Until they chase the wagon down in the snow and fight their way through gypsies with knives…
Brilliant.
I think the full cast audio was better [ come on - Tim Curry as Van Helsing???] but the book is always 5 stars
January 13, 2023
Unfortunately I never got the chance to read these classics growing up/in school... And for that I am very glad... because I don't think I would have appreciated these as the masterpieces they are.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Deep with meaning and though provoking on how personalities can change to the point on no recognition. Very short I wish this was longer as it was so good.
Frankenstein - Who is the monster, the creator or the created? I really felt for Frankenstein's creation... even now I don't want to refer to him as a monster. He just wanted companionship and compassion. Frankenstein in my eyes was the monster, I get that he was curious and that he became terrified of what he's created but at the same time his creation was begging, begging for him to acknowledge him and his suffering.
Dracula - This was so different than I thought it was going to be... guess I read to many book like Twilight haha! But this was brilliant, I loved the different POV's and Van Helsing was my favourite character in this book. He was such a gentleman, good through and through fighting for the souls of those he loved. This was such an interesting read.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Deep with meaning and though provoking on how personalities can change to the point on no recognition. Very short I wish this was longer as it was so good.
Frankenstein - Who is the monster, the creator or the created? I really felt for Frankenstein's creation... even now I don't want to refer to him as a monster. He just wanted companionship and compassion. Frankenstein in my eyes was the monster, I get that he was curious and that he became terrified of what he's created but at the same time his creation was begging, begging for him to acknowledge him and his suffering.
Dracula - This was so different than I thought it was going to be... guess I read to many book like Twilight haha! But this was brilliant, I loved the different POV's and Van Helsing was my favourite character in this book. He was such a gentleman, good through and through fighting for the souls of those he loved. This was such an interesting read.
October 7, 2021
A collection of three classic horror tales. I listened to the first two, having already listened to a different audio edition of Dracula.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is shorter than I realised. Told from multiple perspectives, it creates an air of mystery around the characters of Jekyll and Hyde, which is compelling whether you know the general story already or not. The differences between the original story and the various interpretations by Hollywood are intriguing and really got me thinking about the qualities we value in humanity and how these have changed over time. The performance by Richard Armitage is sublime, especially when he transitions from Jekyll to Hyde in a way that is both fluid and chilling.
Frankenstein is, of course, a classic, not least because it offers so much potential for discussion and interpretation through different lenses. Dan Stevens's rendition of the story for this audiobook was outstanding. Having never been able work my way through the prose, I found this audio version kept my attention and brought the story vividly to life.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is shorter than I realised. Told from multiple perspectives, it creates an air of mystery around the characters of Jekyll and Hyde, which is compelling whether you know the general story already or not. The differences between the original story and the various interpretations by Hollywood are intriguing and really got me thinking about the qualities we value in humanity and how these have changed over time. The performance by Richard Armitage is sublime, especially when he transitions from Jekyll to Hyde in a way that is both fluid and chilling.
Frankenstein is, of course, a classic, not least because it offers so much potential for discussion and interpretation through different lenses. Dan Stevens's rendition of the story for this audiobook was outstanding. Having never been able work my way through the prose, I found this audio version kept my attention and brought the story vividly to life.
August 28, 2018
A special edition audiobook from Audible, this book collects Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Frankenstein and Dracula into one single audiobook. Each tale is narrated by a different narrator (Richard Armitage, Dan Stevens, Greg Wise and Saskia Reeves respectively) and prefaced with an introduction about the story and monsters within them. I really enjoyed these versions of the books – the narrators were all superb and I felt like the atmosphere and tone was captured perfectly for each book. It provided a refreshing new way to experience the novels, which I had only previously read as a physical book. I did feel like it was a bit long, particularly Dracula which seemed to drag in places, and could have probably done without the introductions; however, I found myself captivated by each tale. Of the three, I think Frankenstein was my favourite, but that could also be because it was the book I was the least familiar with of the three.
December 13, 2018
Hach, die Klassiker. Manchmal sind sie toll, manchmal...
Im Einzelnen: Jekyll sind Hyde ist immer noch umwerfend gut und ist auch sehr, sehr gut gelesen. Hierfür absolute fünf Sterne.
Frankenstein finde ich auch zumindest okay geschrieben, allerdings ist die Creature hier auf eine Art gelesen, die es mir vollkommen unmöglich machte, das Buch zu Ende zu hören. Diese weinerliche Interpretation ist einfach so überhaupt nicht meine und ich fand sie zum Zehennägel aufrollen furchtbar.
Dracula ist sehr gut gelesen, aber ich hatte vollständig verdrängt, wie zutieft und vollkommen, bis fast zur Parodie, chauvinistisch das Original ist und ich kann sowas heute nicht mehr wirklich gut aushalten.
Im Mittel ergibt sich irgendwas zwischen drei und vier Sternen für die gesamte Kollektion.
Im Einzelnen: Jekyll sind Hyde ist immer noch umwerfend gut und ist auch sehr, sehr gut gelesen. Hierfür absolute fünf Sterne.
Frankenstein finde ich auch zumindest okay geschrieben, allerdings ist die Creature hier auf eine Art gelesen, die es mir vollkommen unmöglich machte, das Buch zu Ende zu hören. Diese weinerliche Interpretation ist einfach so überhaupt nicht meine und ich fand sie zum Zehennägel aufrollen furchtbar.
Dracula ist sehr gut gelesen, aber ich hatte vollständig verdrängt, wie zutieft und vollkommen, bis fast zur Parodie, chauvinistisch das Original ist und ich kann sowas heute nicht mehr wirklich gut aushalten.
Im Mittel ergibt sich irgendwas zwischen drei und vier Sternen für die gesamte Kollektion.
November 7, 2022
Aaargh, going to have to DNF this. I just don't get the classics. This is extremely infuriating, as most of the audiobooks I have left to listen to happen to be classics (they are at the bottom of the pile 🙄, and I wrongly thought that they would be easier to listen to than to read).
This is a collection of 3 classic horror stories: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (which I have managed to finish), Frankenstein (which I am half way through, and having read the synopsis and realised I have so much left to go, I am now abandoning), and Dracula (have read it in the past, and recall skimming the majority of it). I know the maj0rity of people love these stories, but I just struggle with them....not my cup of tea at all. 😬
This is a collection of 3 classic horror stories: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (which I have managed to finish), Frankenstein (which I am half way through, and having read the synopsis and realised I have so much left to go, I am now abandoning), and Dracula (have read it in the past, and recall skimming the majority of it). I know the maj0rity of people love these stories, but I just struggle with them....not my cup of tea at all. 😬
September 30, 2024
Just to be clear the five stars is for the first story Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde which I listened to in a rainy, cold Edinburgh - where else? Although it’s supposedly set in London, the atmosphere is drawn from Edinburgh’s narrow streets and passageways and its misty darkness.
Possibly Stevenson is Edinburgh’s most famous son and his celebrated work of horror, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a masterpiece. Read by Richard Armitage who sensibly bottled the Scottish accent but did an excellent job otherwise.
Although it’s supposedly set in London, the atmosphere is drawn from Edinburgh’s narrow streets and passageways and its misty darkness.
(If I ever listen to the others in this trilogy, I’ll pop back and update this review)
Possibly Stevenson is Edinburgh’s most famous son and his celebrated work of horror, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a masterpiece. Read by Richard Armitage who sensibly bottled the Scottish accent but did an excellent job otherwise.
Although it’s supposedly set in London, the atmosphere is drawn from Edinburgh’s narrow streets and passageways and its misty darkness.
(If I ever listen to the others in this trilogy, I’ll pop back and update this review)
December 27, 2022
Every book in this collection surprised me in a different way.
Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde - Was looking forward to this the most but was slightly let down. Was expecting it to be longer & some chapters detailing the transformations as seen more in film adaptations.
Frankenstein - Again expected more of the creation process. Really enjoyed the section of the monsters POV.
Dracula - I expected more from Draculas POV but i did enjoy.
Wasnt expecting all these "Gothic Horrors" to be in the style of letters/journals but i have enjoyed the style.
Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde - Was looking forward to this the most but was slightly let down. Was expecting it to be longer & some chapters detailing the transformations as seen more in film adaptations.
Frankenstein - Again expected more of the creation process. Really enjoyed the section of the monsters POV.
Dracula - I expected more from Draculas POV but i did enjoy.
Wasnt expecting all these "Gothic Horrors" to be in the style of letters/journals but i have enjoyed the style.
January 29, 2023
I have recently picked up a habit of listening to books on audible. Got the subscription and now going through whatever books they have provided as part of this subscription.
This book is one of them. All my life, wanted to read Frankenstein. Now, finally did. Such an amazing. It's impossible to believe this was written in the 1800s. Just fantastic. Science Fiction. Drama. Adventure. Human Nature study. Despair and Hope. Interesting characters.
And, of course, the narration is amazing. this voice guy, the dan stevens is just amazing. Amazing voice.
Strong Recommend.
This book is one of them. All my life, wanted to read Frankenstein. Now, finally did. Such an amazing. It's impossible to believe this was written in the 1800s. Just fantastic. Science Fiction. Drama. Adventure. Human Nature study. Despair and Hope. Interesting characters.
And, of course, the narration is amazing. this voice guy, the dan stevens is just amazing. Amazing voice.
Strong Recommend.
October 7, 2018
Couldn’t finish the Dracula section of this, the narrators for that we’re not good at all to listen to.
Honestly in my opinion if you can find this version of Jekyll and Hyde on its own get that and avoid the other stories in this collection. The narrators don’t seem to have the emotion needed for their performances for most of either Frankenstein or Dracula.
Honestly in my opinion if you can find this version of Jekyll and Hyde on its own get that and avoid the other stories in this collection. The narrators don’t seem to have the emotion needed for their performances for most of either Frankenstein or Dracula.
March 23, 2021
3 of the best Gothic horror stories ever written, thrills, spills and chills throughout. All are best read on dark chilly nights by a roaring fireside in a comfortable reading nook or tucked up in bed to get the most out of these spine tinglers
Absolute hands down classics. .
Absolute hands down classics. .
January 29, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed these stories and all were well narrated. A trio that I can revisit again and again. Gothic horror at its best.
June 5, 2020
My first dip into audiobooks and I thoroughly enjoyed it, Richard Armitage reading Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is by far the stand out performance.
April 15, 2021
completely finished all three monster novels!
July 20, 2021
A great audio version of three classics. Narrators were all great
August 11, 2021
You have seen the films, the books are better
October 12, 2021
Jekyll & Doctor Hyde - great
Frankenstein - quite boring
Frankenstein - quite boring
April 14, 2023
Great classics all of them. The beginning of sci fiction as we know it.
May 9, 2023
A brilliant collection of books. Was a pleasure to read through. True classics, in the good and bad ways. Can be a bit hard to read at times but would recommend.
February 25, 2025
The stories are all very good and overall the narration is excellent.
September 5, 2024
Audible Audiobook - The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - the duality of humankind explored and explained in the form and context of a Gothic mystery novella set in London. This is written beautifully, with powerful and descriptive language used throughout, creating a pervasive sense of impending disaster from start to finish, delivering a truly engaging story. Read superbly by Richard Armitage to boot!
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - mawkish and at times facile, I really didn't connect with this at all. I listened again to some chapters, to give more focus to the content in case that was my issue, but it didn't change anything.
Dracula - I attended a presentation by Dr Kate Cherrell hosted by Derby Museums, which prompted me to restart the book (hence the looooong read time and the delay in reviewing). Appreciating the concept of Dracula, and the changes in our understanding of it over the decades, I had some expectations, but nothing concrete. It is a gentler, more sophisticated text than I’d anticipated it being, and I loved that. It has a poetic, romantic appeal and allure which grows as the story progresses. I enjoyed this a lot, and it reaffirmed to me that I need to hunker down with the book in my Snug when Autumn turns to Winter
Overall, this collection is solid - well performed with the right tone, and represents gothic literature and the fascination the Victorians had (and we still have) with the macabre, spiritualist, and mystical
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - mawkish and at times facile, I really didn't connect with this at all. I listened again to some chapters, to give more focus to the content in case that was my issue, but it didn't change anything.
Dracula - I attended a presentation by Dr Kate Cherrell hosted by Derby Museums, which prompted me to restart the book (hence the looooong read time and the delay in reviewing). Appreciating the concept of Dracula, and the changes in our understanding of it over the decades, I had some expectations, but nothing concrete. It is a gentler, more sophisticated text than I’d anticipated it being, and I loved that. It has a poetic, romantic appeal and allure which grows as the story progresses. I enjoyed this a lot, and it reaffirmed to me that I need to hunker down with the book in my Snug when Autumn turns to Winter
Overall, this collection is solid - well performed with the right tone, and represents gothic literature and the fascination the Victorians had (and we still have) with the macabre, spiritualist, and mystical
May 8, 2018
I am very glad I got the audio edition, having it read aloud made it so much easier to get through, although Dracula was exceedingly tedious. However it was good to listen to the original stories that have inspired so many wonderful books, TV series and movies. But however slow they were they were still good stories which is why they were so inspiring.
March 1, 2025
A good little collection of classic monster books here. Though dracular is my favourite of thw three i was surprised how well read these were on audible.
January 23, 2025
The forwords annoyed me. I would greatly prefer not to have someone womansplain what I'm supposed to think & how I'm supposed to feel about the stories. Just give me the stories & I'm sure I'll form my own opinions thankyou very much.
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