July at Naxos AudioBooks

Celebrate the beginning of summer with stories of adventure and romance!

Alexandre Dumas (père) portrays the ultimate ‘Caped Crusader’, who is determined to reek his revenge on those who destroyed his life, in The Count of Monte Cristo. The drama of Dumas’ epic tale is perfectly conveyed by Bill Homewood’s captivating reading on this 41-CD unabridged recording.

The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, read with wicked humour by Rupert Degas, contains Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most arrogant yet loveable character. Reliving the exploits of his military career fighting in the Napoleonic campaigns, Brigadier Gerard makes for a tremendously fun companion.

For romance, try Jane Austen’s The Watsons, Sanditon, read by Anna Bentinck. One abandoned, one unfinished; these short works are as touching, funny and sharp as her better-known completed novels.

Naxos AudioBooks also adds relaxing, contemplative and informative Non-fiction titles to its catalogue this month. Meditation – The Buddhist Way, written and read by Jinananda, is an excellent guide to developing clarity, peace of mind and positive emotions. Walden, and Civil Disobedience, read by Rupert Degas, is Thoreau’s exposé of his 19th century society’s misguided dogmas – he urges the public to reconnect with nature and to stop paying taxes.

Finally, in his fascinating study, Never Cry Wolf, Farley Mowat sets out to prove that wolves do not fit the stereotype of predatory creatures: they are, in fact, mild-mannered and graceful animals. This affectionate and humorous account is read by fellow Canadian Adam Sims.

This month’s digital pre-release is Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge, read by Anton Lesser.

New Releases – July 2010