The Thirty Nine Steps
A Richard Hannay Thriller, Book 1
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The Thirty Nine Steps
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Narrated by:
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Peter Joyce
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By:
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John Buchan
About this listen
Among the first espionage thrillers and an acknowledged classic, The Thirty-Nine Steps well deserves its accolades as one of the best adventure stories of all time. Leaving aside the improbable denouement, the fast paced, brilliantly conceived narrative still excites and carries one along with the sheer suspense of the manhunt - a recurring theme in literature - and Hannay’s struggle against the evil that is the ‘Black Stone'.
May 1914: Europe is close to war and spies are everywhere. Richard Hannay has arrived back in London to begin a new life, when a spy called Scudder asks for help to uncover a German plot to murder the Greek prime minister in London and to steal British plans for the outbreak of war. He claims to be following a ring of German spies called the Black Stone. A few days later, Scudder is murdered. Hannay is forced to continue Scudder’s work and is chased across Scotland both by police and German spies. The solution to the mysterious phrase 'Thirty-Nine Steps' is a thread that runs through the whole story.
About Assembled Stories: Over the years the national press have reviewed Assembled Stories titles as ‘excellent’, ‘remarkable’, ‘entrancing’, ‘superb’, ‘magic for sure’, ‘masterly’, ‘wonderful’, ‘a class act’ and ‘a splendid example of audio at its best’.
©1993 John Buchan (P)2007 Assembled StoriesListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
What listeners say about The Thirty Nine Steps
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Paul
- 26-05-15
It's good enough, but perhaps aclaim is overdone
I have read reviews of this citing it as the first great espionage novel, etc. it is no Le Carre is all I would say.
The novel is well narrated, but the plot isn't that believable. It felt a bit like a Edwardian pot boiler to me - lots of unlikely twists and turns.
I enjoyed the listen, and I'm glad I've now listened to it, but I don't think I'll be returning to it.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- jayne
- 23-06-11
good yarn!
enjoyed hearing the original version - seen quite a few film & tv versions. bit wordy at times but it goes with the period. good ending.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gordon J Watson
- 17-07-22
Excellent version
Beautifully narrated by Peter Joyce. an excellent yarn by John Buchan
Possibly the definitive version of this wonderful story on audio
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-02-21
The performance suits the tale
If you are unfamiliar with John Buchan, prepare yourself for the racism and misogyny. Oh and you have to suspend disbelief at times. If you know what you are letting yourself in for, this is very well read. I did find there was a bit of an echo in the recording but soon forgot about it.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Sharon Pickles
- 16-03-11
Boys Own Adventure
This is a well known story to me having seen two film versions, which I have always enjoyed. The narrator gives a very 'Dan Dare' type delivery, which keeps you interested, even if you already know the story. The adventure starts when Richard Hannay (our hero) is suspected of the murder of a mysterious stranger he befriends. This stranger tells him a tale of political intrigue and conspiracy which unravels throughout the plot. There follows the chase of Hannay who is being pursued by sinister men across Scotland, as he adopts a series of disguises to escape his would be captures.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cheryl
- 10-05-23
The 39 Steps
I did enjoy the book especially when John was on the run. Although I like the movies made of this story with the romance element and happy ending.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Louise
- 04-05-11
Classic rendition of an espionage classic
I defy anyone not to be utterly transported by this classic thriller. Brilliantly narrated by Peter Joyce.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- hoplitehamilton
- 22-04-22
A ripping yarn
A surprisingly good tale with some very clever psychological twists. If you have seen the film this is still a good listen different in many ways.
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