The Water-Babies cover art

The Water-Babies

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The Water-Babies

By: Charles Kingsley
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

A classic since its first publication in 1863, The Water-Babies is the story of a little chimney sweep named Tom and his magical adventures beneath the waves. The ill-treated Tom flees his dangerous toil and his cruel master, Grimes. When he jumps into a cool stream to clean the soot off himself, he becomes a water-baby, cleaner and happier than he has ever been, in a hidden fairy world. There, Tom meets haughty dragonflies, makes friends with a slow-witted lobster, and dodges hungry otters. Eventually, he meets the other water-babies and their clever rulers, Mrs. Bedonebyasyoudid and Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby. After a long and arduous quest to the Other-end-of-Nowhere, young Tom achieves his heart’s desire.

Public Domain (P)1998 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Linguistics Social Sciences Classics

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Critic reviews

“Everyone who has an interest in the exuberant, eclectic, ecological, and erotic aspects of Victorian literature should know this book…[A] delightful and important work of Victorian children’s literature.” (Naomi Wood, Associate Professor of English, Kansas State University)
All stars
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I found the book blended into the background. nothing much really happens and there isn't really much character development.

Nothing really happens in the story!

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Editing us a bit sloppy but if you can allow yourself to overlook a few instances of casual racism the intentions of the story are good.

Good story but with a few bits of antique racism

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I've always wanted to read/listen to this after being mesmorised as a child by the film version, starring Bernard Cribbins. This is very different from that, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I like its mix of serious/not serious/supernatural/scientific/moral/social protest/satire, and the underlying humour.

Beautiful reading - loved the accents!

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I enjoyed this but found it a bit weird!

My best bit was when he stole the sweeties from the water fairy.

weird!

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I had this book as a child, I loved it for the beautiful glossy pictures, but never actually read it. I still have this book at age 52, so decided it was time to give it a listen. The narration was great. The story, well to say its strange is an understatement. I guess for a child there are lots of hidden lessons within the different chapters, but I actually thought Charles Kingsley was probably taking drugs whilst writing the second half! yes, I'm aware it's a fairly tale, but a very bizarre one at that. I'm glad at last I know the story.

A bizarre story

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Ahhhhh listening to this bought back so many childhood memories!!! I want to listen to the tv adapted version now.

So many childhood memories

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I’ve not heard this lovely classic since I was a child. It is still magical and well worth listening to as an adult.

Delightful

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I love this book and thoroughly enjoyed this production of it. Well read and provoked wonderful feelings of childhood in the telling of it.
Pure escapism for even an adult, and although dated, as any book of this age, the morals and the wonder are still appropriate.
Highly recommend this book to anyone with an imagination and a want to dream.

Perfect fairytale to escape to.

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There is far more to this book than I recall and it must be 50 years since I did! I really enjoyed listening to it and recalling the beginning up to the change itself…but beyond I had totally forgotten! Did I read that far? I have no idea. It’s a bit long for the very young, I’d say below 10. But it evokes some deep thinking if you’ve a mind to it.

Water baby boy

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Excellent narration, wonderful story. All adults should read this and look to their own behaviour.

As relevant today as when it was written

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