The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

Title: The Last of the Mohicans

Author: James Fenimore Cooper Narrator: Stefan Rudnicki Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Language: English

Genre: Early Western Listening Length: 14h:33m

Synopsis: In 1757, in the upper New York wilderness and during the French and Indian War (the Seven Years' War), when France and Great Britain battled for control of North America, an intrepid a frontiersman, two Mohicans and an army officer navigate the rugged terrain and hostile Native Americans to deliver Colonel Munro’s two daughters to safety.

This is definitely a book I could not have read. However, as an audio book it is eminently listenable, although I do have to admit to having zoned out on the odd occasion. The language is very Victorian in tone and, therefore, very flowery – using several words where one might do (by today’s standards). Having said that the story is gripping and the ending somewhat unexpected (I need to watch the film again). The characterisation is wonderful, the settings lavishly described and the plot compelling. If I do have one criticism it was the series of chapters where some of the main characters disguise themselves in the skin of a bear – it was simply too implausible. The narration by Stefan Rudnicki is wonderful, if somewhat soporific at times. This audio book is definitely a recommendation for those long journeys, unless you cannot cope with verbose Victorian-style prose.

What others thought.

Amazon.co.uk; 116 reviews, of which 90% were 3* or more, giving an average of 4.2* Amazon.com; 622 reviews, of which 86% were 3* or more, giving an average of 4.1* Goodreads.com; 75,539 ratings (2,127 reviews), with 87% of 3* or more, giving an average of 3.7*

Audio; 13 ratings. Story all above 3* giving an average of 4.4*, Narration 12 above 3*, an average of 4.3*

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