The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Volume 1, 1660-1663 cover art

The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Volume 1, 1660-1663

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The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Volume 1, 1660-1663

By: Samuel Pepys
Narrated by: Kenneth Branagh
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About this listen

 Samuel Pepys' classic diaries, brought to life by Kenneth Branagh.

Pepys' Diary is one of the most celebrated journals of all time. Such is the wit and style of Pepys' writing that listeners to this selection from the early years of the diary will gain not only a unique view of 17th century London life but also a vivid picture of Pepys the man as he strives to establish himself in his career and in society.

©2008 Hodder & Stoughton (P)2008 Hodder & Stoughton Classics World

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I heard Kenneth Branagh's reading some years ago and was delighted to see this on Audible. The charm and fascination of Pepys is that his world is brought to life and his foibles are unintentionally exposed. Kenneth Branagh brings the old boy to life. He gives him the depth he deserves as a human being. It is all here - his ambition, greed, adultery, incisiveness, huge administrative ability and vanity. It is a portal into a vanished world.

Superb

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To get the flavour of the mid 17th century, this is enlightening. I think the language and labourious nature of Pepys daily regime is difficult for us to fully comprehend BUT there are little gems in the writing and surprising anecdotes and it is so much easier to listen to an audio rendition rather than trying to wade through the original diary.

For historians this is excellent. For me, certainly of interest , and I'm glad I listened to it.

Following Pepys abroad.

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The work itself is both important and fascinating and I don't think you could have a better reader than Kenneth Branagh, who I felt completely communicates the spirit of Samual Pepys.

Best of the Lot

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I've read Pepys's diaries any number of times, they've always held a fascination. Listening to an audio is a terrific way to enjoy the journals, but I don't like the narrator He reads too quickly with very little effort at conveying the emotions behind the words. It'a almost as if by an automaton and misses the obvious joy for life that runs through Pepys thoughts and words.
I will be listening to the rest of the diaries, because I listen with my husband and we enjoy discussing them together, but it's a shame the narrator has made them rather dull.

Eye witness history doesn't come better than this

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Wonderfully read by Kenneth Branagh, Pepys personal diaries, covering the historic occasion of restoration of Charles II, to the run-of-the-mill of the normal everyday life from 1660 to 1663 is fascinating. It’s the little nuggets of the everyday that I personally found fascinating. Looking forward to the next two volumes.

A primary source of a fascinating few years

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Branagh's reading is delightful but it doesn't make up for the yawning gaps in Pepy's life that are so obvious in this abridged version.

Much Lost in the Abridgement

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