Audiobooks narrated by Ben Allen

"'Compelling . . . almost Dickensian' Times 'The best thriller writer in the world' Daily Telegraph Jonas Merrick - a legendary intelligence analyst for MI5 - has been banished to the Post Room of Thames House. There, he is expected to pass his remaining days before inevitable retirement. In a Russian gulag, an MI6 agent has developed an unlikely passion for a prisoner and has come up with an ingenious plan to free her. The key: a ruthless Albanian gang laundering the dirty money of the Russian elite. Merrick, the only agent with the experience to help, is brought back once again to intercept the Albanian courier until an exchange is organised by the Russians. But when it transpires that the courier is the heir of the criminal gang's leader, the danger mounts, and Merrick once again finds himself in a situation spiralling towards a bloody confrontation. Frighteningly topical and intensely plotted, Jonas Merrick - one of the great figures of modern spy fiction - returns"

Gerald Seymour (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

Martin Chuzzlewit

"'An ancient proverb warns us that we should not expect to find old heads upon young shoulders.' First serialised between 1843 to 1844, Martin Chuzzlewit is considered Dickens's last picaresque novel. A damning criticism of selfishness and greed, the book is famed for Dickens's clever satire and wit. The novel focuses on the life of Martin Chuzzlewit, an arrogant young man who is disinherited by his wealthy grandfather due to his disrespectful behaviour and materialistic nature. In pursuit of money, Martin journeys to America, where he wishes to begin anew. After reckoning with illness, and the ruthlessness of American society, Martin begins to understand the errors of his ways, with a desire to be a changed man. Blending social commentary, humour and unforgettable drama, Martin Chuzzlewit's unique and richly drawn characters make it a notable work in Dickens's repertoire. This audiobook edition is beautifully narrated by Ben Allen. Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and, by the twentieth century, critics and scholars had recognized him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are widely read, performed and adapted today."

Charles Dickens (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

"'I loved you madly; in the distasteful work of the day, in the wakeful misery of the night, girded by sordid realities, or wandering through Paradises and Hells of visions into which I rushed, carrying your image in my arms, I loved you madly.' Dickens's final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a remarkable mystery concerning a complicated love triangle. Left unfinished at the time of Dickens's death, several adaptations of the book have attempted to provide a fitting conclusion to the story – although Dickens's plans for the plot remain enigmatic. Published in 1870, the year Dickens died, The Mystery of Edwin Drood is often considered by many as an incomplete masterpiece, and it continues to influence popular culture today. It recounts the story of Edwin Drood, a young man engaged to the charming Rosa Bud. His Uncle, John Jasper – a choirmaster and opium addict – secretly lusts after Rosa, who is one of his pupils. After Edwin goes missing, his belongings found in a nearby river, suspicion falls on the hot-tempered Neville Landless, who took an instant dislike to Drood and was simultaneously enchanted by Rosa. But is the culprit for Edwin's disappearance as simple as it seems? This audiobook edition is brilliantly narrated by Ben Allen. Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and, by the twentieth century, critics and scholars had recognized him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are widely read, performed and adapted today."

Charles Dickens (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

Thoughts for the Times of War and Death

"In this insightful essay Sigmund Freud delves into the psychological roots of war, the nature of human aggression, and the profound impact of death on society. Written during the tumultuous years of World War I, Freud explores how conflict shapes the psyche and why humanity is drawn to violence despite the consequences."

Sigmund Freud (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

Heart of Darkness

"'Your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others.' First published in 1899 and often considered a scathing critique of European colonialism in Africa, Heart of Darkness remains one of the finest, yet ambiguous, novels of the twentieth century. Introspective sailor Charles Marlow recounts a life-changing and deeply unsettling expedition to Congo as riverboat captain for a Belgian trading company. He is eager to find Kurtz – an allegedly progressive thinker and talented man – during his travels. The journey to Africa is long and arduous; the surrounding jungle is dense and oppressively quiet, causing havoc among the ship's crew. Marlow also begins to sense all is not well with Kurtz – the others seem to be fearful of him and he is rumoured to be ill. Before long, Marlow discovers the atrocities of the trading company's actions to be manifold, with Kurtz responsible. Native inhabitants of the area are treated abhorrently, overworked, abused and forced to live in squalor. A haunting tale which questions what lies beneath the sleek but fragile veneer of 'civilisation', Heart of Darkness is a horrifying reminder of the consequences of imperialism. This audio edition is brilliantly brought to life by Ben Allen. Joseph Conrad (1857 – 1924) was a British-Polish novelist short story writer. Thought of as one of the greatest writers in the English language, he is best known for his novels Lord Jim, Nostromo and The Secret Agent, along with the novella Heart of Darkness. His work often featured anti-heroic characters, and explored the impact of power and morality on the human psyche, set against the backdrop of British colonialism."

Joseph Conrad (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland

"In 1773, literary giant Samuel Johnson set off with his friend James Boswell on a tour of Scotland's remote Highlands and Western Isles. What followed was a vivid travelogue capturing the landscapes, people, and customs of a region on the brink of change. With wit, insight, and curiosity, Johnson reflects on everything from ancient clan traditions to the decline of the Gaelic language—offering a rare glimpse into 18th-century Scotland through the eyes of one of England's greatest minds. Part travel diary, part cultural critique, A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland is both a historical snapshot and a thoughtful meditation on identity, society, and the passage of time."

Samuel Johnson (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

Live Forever?: A Curious Scientist’s Guide to Wellness, Ageing and Death

"Time wants you dead. Not just you, but your friends, family, pets – everyone you’ve ever met… With over 17,000 known diseases affecting humans, and countless poisons, carcinogens and toxins in our environment, it’s a miracle that our bodies manage to keep us alive. And that is, of course, if they don’t betray us themselves, whether through cancers or autoimmune conditions. Biomedical researcher Professor John Tregoning tells the unlikely story of how, against all odds, we manage to stay alive. Taking an organ-by-organ tour of the human body, Tregoning embarks on his own experimental quest, testing 'life-extending' diets and exercise regimes to separate fact from fad. Exploring the multitude of ways our bodies can kill us, from inherited genetic conditions, through heart attacks, arrythmias and angina, onto the delicate workings of the brain, Live Forever? offers compelling insight into how our bodies work, how we can best look after them – and ultimately live longer, healthier lives."

John Tregoning (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Heart of a Dog

"A well-to-do professor working in Moscow strikes up an unlikely friendship with a stray dog and attempts a scientific first by transplanting the testicles and pituitary gland of a recently deceased man into the dog. With a wild, but alarmingly human animal on the loose, the professor's previously respectable life becomes a nightmare beyond his imagination. A suberp satirical novel, it is also a sharp and pointed criticism of Soviet society, especially the new rich that arose after the Bolshevik revolution."

Mikhail Bulgakov (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

Teleny: Or, The Reverse of the Medal

"'Virtue is the sweet flavour of the peach; vice, the tiny droplet of prussic acid – its delicious savour. Life, without either, would be vapid.' First published in 1893 by an anonymous author (although often attributed to the nineteenth century writer Oscar Wilde), Teleny, or the Reverse of the Medal is a homoerotic novel set in fin de siècle Paris. It is one of the first pornographic works in the English language that focusses almost exclusively on a queer relationship. Respected for its lush prose style and depth and complexity of characters, Teleny, or the Reverse of the Medal follows the ardent love affair between young Frenchman Camille Des Grieux and Hungarian pianist René Teleny. Overcome with admiration and desire while watching Teleny perform in concert, Des Grieux soon develops a profound fixation on the talented musician. Infatuated by their seemingly telepathic sexual connection, Des Grieux's feelings only deepen as their relationship progresses. But in a society where homosexuality is callously rejected, the pressure to hide their unspoken bond becomes too much. As tragic as it is titillating, this audiobook edition is movingly narrated by Ben Allen. Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist and poet. He became one of the most popular figures of the London literary scene in the late nineteenth century, and is remembered to this day for his biting wit, flamboyant style and social satire. After being taken to trial for gross indecency in 1895, Wilde was arrested and imprisoned for two years before his eventual exile and death."

Anon, Oscar Wilde (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Professor

"The Professor is Charlotte Brontës first novel. Our protagonist is William Crimsworth and, like Jane Eyre, he is parentless; like Lucy Snowe in Villette he leaves the familiar surroundings of England to forge a life in Brussels. Brontë explores the relationship between power and sexual desire through William's first person narration. The Professor was published by Brontë's widow after her death."

Charlotte Brontë (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Theory of Moral Sentiments

"The Theory of Moral Sentiments is lesser-known than Smith's epochal work, The Wealth of Nations, but provided the philosophical and economic underpinning to his most famous work. In this work, Smith sets out a foundation for a general system of morals where the greatest prudence, may lie in following economic self-interest in order to secure the basic necessities. This is only the first step, however, toward the much higher goal of achieving a morally virtuous life. Smith's ideas have resonated through the decades and he continues to inspire and challenge modern readers."

Adam Smith (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Moonstone

"'The first, the longest and the best of modern, English detective novels.' - T. S. Eliot A priceless gem, a diamond from India imbued with religious significance, is stolen on the very night it is given as an eighteenth birthday present to a captivating heiress; and so the mystery begins. The rules for the golden age of crime novels are formed in the pages of The Moonstone – an English country house, a complex cast of characters, the bungling local constabulary, a celebrated sleuth and the reconstruction of the crime. Collins' intricate, ingenious plot combines suspense, drama and romance with an astute commentary on society in a richly humorous novel told through a series of narratives related by a variety of voices."

Wilkie Collins (Author), Barnaby Edwards, Ben Allen, Jonathan Keeble, Kris Dyer, Kristin Atherton, Malk Williams, Roger May (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Ben Allen