Audiobook Sample
Listen to the sample to experience the story.
Please wait while we verify your browser...
- Title: Railway Children (version 2 Dramatic Reading)
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Narrator: Librivox Volunteers
- Length: 06:16:27
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 15/12/2019
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Audio Theatre, Drama
- ISBN13: SABLIB9789921
There’s something magical about encountering a childhood classic through new ears – especially when those ears are listening to a dramatic reading that crackles with the same warmth as a steam engine chugging through the English countryside. Edith Nesbit’s “The Railway Children” (Version 2 Dramatic Reading) by LibriVox Volunteers isn’t just an audiobook; it’s a ticket to 1906 England, where three siblings’ lives pivot on the rails of unexpected change. As someone who’s spent years chasing stories from Oaxaca to the Atacama, I can tell you this production captures that universal childhood alchemy of turning hardship into adventure.
“”The Story That Unfolds Like a Train Journey””
Nesbit’s tale – of Roberta (Bobbie), Peter, and Phyllis being uprooted from London comfort to rural simplicity – resonates deeply with anyone who’s experienced sudden change. The children’s father disappears under mysterious circumstances (a plot point that still makes my throat tighten, remembering how my own family weathered sudden storms during our migrations). Their mother, writing feverishly behind closed doors to make ends meet, embodies every parent who’s had to shield their children from life’s harsher truths while keeping hope alive.
What struck me most during this listening experience was how the railway becomes both metaphor and character – a iron-bound river of possibilities. The children’s friendships with station staff and their mysterious ‘Old Gentleman’ remind me of connections I’ve made in foreign train stations, where brief encounters sometimes leave permanent marks. The dramatic reading amplifies these relationships through distinct vocal performances – the gruff warmth of Perks the Porter particularly stands out, his voice textured like well-worn work gloves.
“”Audio Alchemy: When Volunteers Become a Cast””
LibriVox’s ensemble approach shines here. Unlike single-narrator audiobooks that rely on one performer’s range, this version uses multiple voices to create a tapestry of personalities. Young Phyllis’s giggle has an authentic, unpolished charm that made me smile mid-hike through Chile’s Elqui Valley (where I first pressed play). Sound effects – the hiss of steam, the clatter of tracks – are used sparingly but effectively, like spices in a good mole sauce.
That said, the production isn’t without its bumps. Some volume inconsistencies between narrators required adjusting my earbuds, much like tuning a vintage radio. Yet these imperfections oddly suited the story’s handmade quality – it feels like neighbors putting on a play rather than a slick studio production.
“”Themes That Still Chug Along””
Nesbit’s exploration of class mobility feels eerily current. When the children beg for ‘bread with butter AND jam,’ I recalled a conversation with a Oaxacan grandmother about her childhood hunger during lean years. The audiobook’s dramatic format heightens these moments – you hear the longing in Bobbie’s voice when she describes the ‘poor people’ she now understands from the inside.
The justice subplot involving the children’s father unfolds with satisfying emotional heft. Without spoiling the 118-year-old story, I’ll say that the narrators handle the courtroom revelations with the perfect balance of tension and tenderness. It reminded me of watching a street performer in Lisbon slowly reveal the picture hidden in his mosaic – piece by deliberate piece.
“”For Whom the Whistle Blows””
This version will delight:
– Families seeking shared listening experiences (the 4.5-hour runtime is perfect for road trips)
– Nostalgia-seekers who want to revisit childhood favorites with fresh ears
– Teachers introducing students to Edwardian literature through immersive audio
Those preferring minimalist narration might find the multiple voices distracting, but to me, they echoed the communal storytelling I cherish – the kind where each family member takes a character, like my abuela orchestrating Christmas “pastorelas”.
“”Final Station Stop””
Comparing this to Nesbit’s “Five Children and It” or Burnett’s “The Secret Garden” (both also excellent in audio), “Railway Children” stands out for its grounded magic – no fantastical creatures, just the everyday wonder of resilience. The 1970 film adaptation’s famous wave scene might be iconic, but this audio version makes you “hear” the train’s approach, the children’s gasps, the screech of brakes – it’s all there in your mind’s eye, painted by voices and imagination.
With stories steaming ahead and a heart full of trackside memories,
– Marcus
Marcus Rivera
