English Audio - English Audio Books

Their Eyes Were Watching God, an American classic, is the luminous and haunting novel about Janie Crawford, a Southern Black woman in the 1930s, whose journey from a free-spirited girl to a woman of independence and substance has inspired writers and readers for close to 70 years.

This poetic, graceful love story, rooted in Black folk traditions and steeped in mythic realism, celebrates boldly and brilliantly African-American culture and heritage. And in a powerful, mesmerizing narrative, it pays quiet tribute to a Black woman who, though constricted by the times, still demanded to be heard.

Originally published in 1937 and long out of print, the book was reissued in 1975 and nearly three decades later Their Eyes Were Watching God is considered a seminal novel in American fiction.

Zora Neale Hurston's story about Janie is both common and extraordinary. Rudy Dee's voice tells the story just as it should be experienced with the right amounts of emotion in perfect timing. The text is written in southern dialect so it can be a difficult read. This venue that has kept blood running through this story is nothing short of a godsend in my opinion. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" will always be one of my favorite stories. It was one of the first stories that actually took my being on an emotional journey. I thank Zora and Ruby Dee for their time in sharing this story. I love the audio book and will definitely recommend it so I can do my part in keeping the blood running through our great stories that they may never die and always inspire.