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    Their Eyes Were Watching God
    Their Eyes Were Watching God
    Their Eyes Were Watching God
    Audiobook6 hours

    Their Eyes Were Watching God

    Written by Zora Neale Hurston

    Narrated by Ruby Dee

    4.5/5

    ()

    • Love

    • Community

    • Self-Discovery

    • Friendship

    • Gender Roles

    • Fish Out of Water

    • Opposites Attract

    • Outsider

    • Wise Fool

    • Coming of Age

    • Rags to Riches

    • Power of Community

    • Class Conflict

    • Strong Female Character

    • Power of Storytelling

    • Power Dynamics

    • Love & Relationships

    • Identity

    • Marriage

    • Marriage & Relationships

    About this audiobook

    “A deeply soulful novel that comprehends love and cruelty, and separates the big people from the small of heart, without ever losing sympathy for those unfortunates who don’t know how to live properly.” —Zadie Smith

    One of the most important and enduring books of the twentieth century, Their Eyes Were Watching God brings to life a Southern love story with the wit and pathos found only in the writing of Zora Neale Hurston. Out of print for almost thirty years—due largely to initial audiences’ rejection of its strong black female protagonist—Hurston’s classic has since its 1978 reissue become perhaps the most widely read and highly acclaimed novel in the canon of African-American literature. The audio is performed by the legendary Ruby Dee.

    Editor's Note

    A stunner…

    This powerful, beloved classic has earned a passionate following (as well as intense reactions for its sexuality). An anthropologist, Hurston beautifully illuminates dialect in a moving tale rooted in the people and histories of the South.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateOct 31, 2005
    ISBN9780060842765
    Their Eyes Were Watching God
    Author

    Zora Neale Hurston

    Zora Neale Hurston wrote four novels (Jonah’s Gourd Vine; Their Eyes Were Watching God; Moses, Man of the Mountains; and Seraph on the Suwanee) and was still working on her fifth novel, The Life of Herod the Great, when she died; three books of folklore (Mules and Men and the posthumously published Go Gator and Muddy the Water and Every Tongue Got to Confess); a work of anthropological research (Tell My Horse); an autobiography (Dust Tracks on a Road); an international bestselling ethnographic work (Barracoon); and over fifty short stories, essays, and plays. She was born in Notasulga, Alabama, grew up in Eatonville, Florida, and lived her last years in Fort Pierce, Florida.

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    Reviews for Their Eyes Were Watching God

    4.5/5

    986 ratings170 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be beautifully written, with excellent narration that brings the characters and emotions to life. The story is described as a lyrical love story, a rich build-up with moments of humor and profound sorrow. The book is praised for its realistic portrayal of Janie, a fully rounded character who navigates through the ups and downs of life. Despite the dark moments, there are beacons of light and hope throughout. Overall, readers consider this book a masterpiece, a must-read that is engaging, compelling, and beautifully narrated.

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      It's almost like listening to a play. Ruby Dee is a genius and Ms Zora's writing is immaculate. I enjoyed this book so much. I thought it was exceptional.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Wow, this is an amazing novel. In its lightest moments it is hilarious. In its sorrowful ones it is profoundly touching and heart-wrenching. Above all else, Hurston is a master of the real. Janie is as real a character as a character can be.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      In honor of Women's month I decided to reread a classic. I'm glad I did. It was even better the second time around

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      i always wanted to read this book and happy to have because the movie is no where near as interested as listening to the whole story. I Love This Book

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Wow. THIS is amazing writing, as well as a commentary on a time gone by. THIS is a must-read book

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Outstanding, both the writing of the novel as well as the reading! I truly enjoyed this one.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This book is definitely in my top 5. I would highly recommend this book. I read this in the second semester of my senior year of high school, and the timing was perfect. I found many meaningful and beautiful messages in this story about living and experiencing life for yourself. I really liked the way Zora Neale Hurston wrote the story.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      An absolutely classic novel, deservedly renowned, exquisite writing, engaging plot and perfectly and compassionately observed characters and dialogue. A matchless reading by Ruby Dee, I can't imagine anything better. Six stars! Don't miss this.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Ruby Dee is a revelation bringing Hurston’s story to life.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      What a great production. Great book. Great narration. One of my favourite audiobooks.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I almost put this book down in the beginning because the dialect is indeed intense and I was having trouble hearing it in my mind. I'm glad I persevered. Interesting to read about its reviews through various decades and see that people were so focused on race they missed that it's really about women. More than that, though, I think it's about the mentality of subjugation. It is nuanced, beautiful, and heart breaking.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      After two loveless marriages, Janie finally awakens to love, happiness and self-realization when she meets Tea Cake and elopes with him to the Florida Everglades.It too me a long time to get to this book, and was I missing out. Hurston is such a terrific writer; she blows pretty much everyone else I've been reading lately out of the water. Her writing is lush, sensual, evocative and much sexier than Fifty Shades of Gray or whatever the kids are reading nowadays. She writes about the natural world and how we as human beings are a part of it, not separate from it or above it, as we like to pretend, that we are subject to overwhelming natural forces like sex and hurricanes, and we should allow ourselves to be carried along by them. In so doing, we open ourselves up to becoming fully ourselves, completely engaged with life and all its joys and tragedies. This book has so many truths to offer that it requires multiple rereadings, and I look forward to the next time I pick it up and let it enchant me.Read in 2015 in honor of Black History Month.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I had not read this classic novel - I am glad I did. It is powerful on many levels. I struggled a little with the dialect, but once I was into the story, I found it to be easy. I found that I "knew" many of the characters from my own experiences growing up in the South. While this is a novel written by an African American, I found the issues transcend race. Taking place in the Depression years in the South, I think it's the story of many people.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I had been dragging my feet on reading this book, thinking that Their Eyes Were Watching God fell into that category of books that are part of a well rounded education (like Lord of the Flies), but are not that enjoyable. After finishing Zadie Smith's On Beauty, a thought provoking book about race and includes a character named Zora, I thought it was time to slog through this. What a pleasant surprise!

      The main character is a fair-skinned black woman named Janie who is married off to an old man by her grandmother at a young age in the hope of giving her a 'decent' life and preventing the mistake her mother made of having an out of wedlock child. To the old man, Janie is a beautiful acquisition, but Janie feels no affection for him and runs off with a charismatic young man who becomes the first mayor of an all black community. Again though, Janie is still a trophy wife and is more of a possession than a person. Finally all changes when after her 2nd husband dies, Janie meets Tea Cake, a poor black laborer, and Janie finally finds love.

      The story is beautifully written in a carefully crafted lyrical prose. The language is very colloquial and is filled with all of the dialect and grammar of Southern blacks. This could be an obstacle for people reading this book in print. I listened to the audio version, narrated by Ruby Dee. Every once in awhile a book is perfectly narrated in audio, and this is one of those instances. The emotion and feeling in this audio edition is amazing and unforgettable. Definitely listen to this one.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      A nice story about a woman named Janie as she goes through life, love and marriage. The dialogue in this story really helps the reader connect to the characters along with helping the reader her the words s they would be said.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      One of the best pieces of literature that you can ever read.
    • 5/5
      I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this production. Great story; great rendition as well. Just fabulous.
    • 5/5
      Very nice story. Loved it. It dragged a bit, but the narrator was so impressive. She kept me going until the end.
    • 5/5
      Magical. Spiritual. Sad it is over. Ruby Dee is a stellar voice actor. She made it spectacular.
    • 5/5
      Extraordinary, compelling story told by the masterful Ruby Dee. Probably the finest audio reading you’ll ever hear.
    • 5/5
      A beautiful performance. The narrator brings it the humor and beauty is the dialogue.
    • 5/5
      The narrator did a fantastic job! This was such a great audiobook.
    • 5/5
      A masterpiece.
      One of the most easy to devour classics I've ever read. For a book that came out in 1937 to feel as modern as it does, is just a masterclass. Hurston has a way with words, her writing is lyrical and it waves through the ups & downs, and mundanaiety of life. Her character work is exquisite, Janie being this fully rounded fantastic character, and I loved seeing her throughout her life, and the way she changes to the men shes married to, and how some dampen the once bright aspects of her.
      This book, although dark at points, never shys away from the happy moments in life, even in the really dark periods there a beacons of light for Janie, and her spark is never really snuffed out.
      I don't think Ive devoured a classic as quickly as this, as I did Sunset Song in high school, and I honestly think this will stick with me as much as Sunset Song has.
    • 5/5
      Fantastically narrated by the Iconic Ruby Dee, this already-stunning classic American novel is catapulted to the cosmos. Excellent story, beautiful characters, endearing dialogue, a time stamp, a history lesson, a love story… Everything!!! I last read this book ~30 years ago and this audiobook re-read has placed it firmly atop my favorites of all time. Simply divine!
    • 5/5
      5***** and a &#10084One woman's struggle for independence. Zora Neale Hurston was part of the Harlem Renaissance of writers. This work takes place from about 1899-1930 in the deep south. It tells the story of Janie who is first married to Logan Kennick, an older "safe" farmer, and then to Joe Starks, a smooth-talking "respectable" man, but finally finds love with TeaCake, a gambler and migrant worker. She slowly comes to realize her own desires and to stand up for herself. An extraordinary work, although the dialect makes for some difficulty. The writing is so vivid! Book group # 1 read it it Sept 2003; Book group # 2 chose it for discussion in April 2004 and I read it again. I defintely got more out of it on second reading. Update: 19 May 2012For this third experience of Hurston's masterpiece, I chose to listen to the audio book, performed by the incomparable Ruby Dee. Wow! She gives such life to these characters, such immediacy and drama to the story line. Dee lets the listener live in the story – we enjoy the camaraderie of good friends and neighbors, feel the bone-weary ache of a long day spent picking beans, share the warmth of love, race with terror to outrun danger, and collapse under the strain of the inevitable. Dee’s performance deserves a 6th star!
    • 4/5
      What a lovely, little lyrical love story of sorts! Definitely worth the read!
    • 5/5
      So glad I listened to this novel. Loved how the title was from the hurricane.
    • 5/5
      Absolutely Brilliant. Zora Neale Hurston is truly a master in the art of storytelling.
    • 5/5
      Before I review this book, I need to go run and get it so I can quote, because...yum. I enjoyed the plot of this one--in particular, the idea that the trials of life don't seem nearly so difficult with marriage to someone you love. I loved that Janie found a life for herself, that she wanted, though clearly that option was available to her only when those in power over her were gone. It was an interesting social commentary, and it had its sad (and distressing) moments, but I honestly felt hopeful for Janie throughout. I will read this book again.

      But the real draw for me, here, was Hurston's writing. Wow, could this woman write. It's rare for me to find myself turning to page two and already feeling blown away by an author, but I found myself grinning at the sheer genius of some of her descriptions:

      (referring to the gossipy townsfolk on the store porch, watching Janie trudging back into town in the beginning of the book) "These sitters had been tongueless, earless, eyeless conveniences all day long. Mules and other brutes had occupied their skins. But now, the sun and the bossman were gone, so the skins felt powerful and human. They became lords of sounds and lesser things. They passed nations through their mouths. They sat in judgment."

      If you can't feel the powder-keg she's describing, you might be dead. She continues:

      "Seeing the woman as she was made them remember the envy they had stored up from other times. So they chewed up the back parts of their minds and swallowed with relish."

      It goes on, and it's amazing. Love, love, love.
      Come on, now. Is that not fantastic?
    • 4/5
      I want to say something and I pray y'all don't hate me after. I think I am done reading classic black novels. The only person I can really take in fully is Maya Angelou. Zora Neale Hurston catches the spirit of African-Americans at that time and masterfully relays it to readers with a skillful mix of formal English. Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of those books that you feel you ought to love because it occupies such an iconic position in 20th century literature. I can’t say I found it an easy read.
      4 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐