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- Title: Book of Dragons
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Narrator: Laurie Anne Walden
- Length: 04:07:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2016
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Kids, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Fantasy
- ISBN13: SABLIB9781456
It’s not every day you stumble across a collection of tales that feels like a hidden treasure unearthed from the sands of time, but Edith Nesbit’s “Book of Dragons”, narrated by Laurie Anne Walden, is exactly that. This audiobook free on LibriVox whisked me away the moment I pressed play, the same way a desert wind once carried me through the surreal expanse of Chile’s Atacama Desert years ago. Back then, I was listening to “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, and the narrator’s voice wrapped around me like a warm blanket under a starlit sky. Nesbit’s dragons, though, brought a different kind of magic – playful, mischievous, and brimming with the wonder of childhood imagination.
The “Book of Dragons” unfolds like a well-worn map, each of its eight tales a new path through a fantastical landscape where dragons aren’t just fire-breathing beasts but characters with quirks and charm. There’s the dragon who slips out of a magical book, another whose purr soothes a fussy baby, and one that gobbles up a pack of hunting-hippopotomuses with gleeful abandon. You can almost hear the rustle of pages turning as Nesbit’s wit dances through these stories, blending adventure with a sly humor that made me chuckle more than once. It reminds me of a time when I stayed with a family in Oaxaca, listening to their grandmother spin tales each evening. Her voice, weathered yet vibrant, had a rhythm that pulled you in close – Walden’s narration captures that same intimacy, making this listening experience feel like a fireside chat.
Nesbit’s knack for storytelling shines in how she places children at the heart of these adventures. These young protagonists face dragons with bravery and cleverness, their resourcefulness a quiet lesson in courage wrapped in fantasy. The themes – imagination’s boundless power, the triumph of wit over might, and the gentle nudge of moral reflection – resonate deeply. They took me back to my own childhood, sprawled on the floor of my Brooklyn apartment, dreaming up worlds where I could outsmart a dragon or two. As a travel writer, I’ve seen how stories shape cultures, and Nesbit’s dragons feel like folklore reborn, each one a spark of the oral traditions I’ve chased from market squares in Lisbon to mountain villages in Peru.
Laurie Anne Walden’s narration elevates this audiobook experience to something truly special. Her voice is warm and engaging, with a cadence that knows when to linger on a whimsical detail or rush into the heat of a dragon’s challenge. You can almost taste the dust kicked up by a dragon’s wings or hear the soft purr that calms a restless infant. Her pacing is impeccable, much like that Oaxacan grandmother’s – silences wielded as deftly as words. The audio quality, crisp and clear thanks to LibriVox’s dedication, lets every nuance shine through. It’s a performance that bridges the gap between Nesbit’s Victorian prose and today’s listeners, making these century-old tales feel fresh and alive.
That said, the audiobook isn’t without its quirks. Nesbit’s style, rooted in 1902, carries a formality that might feel dated to some – a touch of stiffness in the language that reflects its era. For younger listeners used to the fast-paced bounce of modern kids’ fantasy, it might take a moment to settle into the rhythm. And while Walden’s narration is a delight, there’s the occasional missed opportunity to lean harder into the humor or menace of certain scenes. Still, these are minor bumps on an otherwise enchanting road.
Compared to other classics like J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” or L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, “Book of Dragons” holds its own with its unique blend of whimsy and wisdom. Where Barrie soars into Neverland’s eternal youth and Baum builds a technicolor Oz, Nesbit keeps her feet on the ground, rooting her fantastical tales in a world that feels just a step away from our own. Modern echoes of her influence ripple through Neil Gaiman’s dark whimsy or Philip Pullman’s layered adventures, but Nesbit’s dragons stand apart – less brooding, more playful, and always ready to surprise.
This free audiobook is a gem for families, fantasy lovers, or anyone who’s ever dreamed of meeting a dragon face-to-face. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon with kids curled up beside you, or a solo listen on a long drive when you need a spark of magic. The kids, action & adventure, mystery & fantasy vibes make it a versatile pick – accessible yet rich enough to reward multiple listens. And did I mention it’s free? Platforms like LibriVox and Audiobooks.com offer it at no cost, a gift that feels like Nesbit herself is inviting you into her world.
Reflecting on it now, “Book of Dragons” stirred something personal in me – a reminder of why I chase stories across continents. It’s the same thrill I felt as a kid, imagining myself as the hero of my own tale, and later as an adult, hearing echoes of those dreams in the voices of strangers from distant lands. This audiobook experience brought me full circle, blending the nostalgia of childhood with the joy of discovery I still seek today. Walden’s narration and Nesbit’s words together are a journey worth taking – one that leaves you smiling, maybe even dreaming of dragons long after the last track ends.
Until our next adventure, friends, keep listening and wandering,
Marcus Rivera
