Jefferies’ novel can be seen as an early example of “post-apocalyptic fiction.” After some sudden and unspecified catastrophe has depopulated England, the countryside reverts to nature, and the few survivors to a quasi-medieval way of life.

The first part of the book, “The Relapse into Barbarism”, is the account by some later historian of the fall of civilisation and its consequences, with a loving description of nature reclaiming England. The second part, “Wild England”, is an adventure set many years later in the wild landscape and society.

The book is not without its flaws (notably the abrupt and unsatisfying ending) but is redeemed by the quality of the writing, particularly the unnervingly prophetic descriptions of the post-apocalyptic city and countryside.

Listen below, or on Archive.org.

Audio Files 128Kbps MP3 Ogg Vorbis 64Kbps MP3
01 – Part I, Chapter 1: The Great Forest 21.2 MB 13.7 MB 10.6 MB
02 – Part I, Chapter 2: Wild Animals 11.3 MB 7.3 MB 5.7 MB
03 – Part I, Chapter 3: Men of the Woods 24.8 MB 15.8 MB 12.4 MB
04 – Part I, Chapter 4: The Invaders 23.4 MB 14.9 MB 11.7 MB
05 – Part I, Chapter 5: The Lake 23.6 MB 15.0 MB 11.8 MB
06 – Part II, Chapter 1: Sir Felix 16.5 MB 10.7 MB 8.3 MB
07 – Part II, Chapter 2: The House of Aquila 18.4 MB 11.8 MB 9.2 MB
08 – Part II, Chapter 3: The Stockade 16.6 MB 10.7 MB 8.3 MB
09 – Part II, Chapter 4: The Canoe 16.5 MB 10.5 MB 8.3 MB
10 – Part II, Chapter 5: Baron Aquila 17.8 MB 11.4 MB 8.9 MB
11 – Part II, Chapter 6: The Forest Track 20.7 MB 13.0 MB 10.3 MB
12 – Part II, Chapter 7: The Forest Track continued 14.3 MB 9.1 MB 7.2 MB
13 – Part II, Chapter 8: Thyma Castle 20.9 MB 13.2 MB 10.5 MB
14 – Part II, Chapter 9: Superstitions 18.2 MB 11.5 MB 9.1 MB
15 – Part II, Chapter 10: The Feast 13.5 MB 8.6 MB 6.7 MB
16 – Part II, Chapter 11: Aurora 12.4 MB 7.9 MB 6.2 MB
17 – Part II, Chapter 12: Night in the Forest 15.9 MB 10.2 MB 8.0 MB
18 – Part II, Chapter 13: Sailing Away 16.0 MB 10.2 MB 8.0 MB
19 – Part II, Chapter 14: The Straits 13.8 MB 8.9 MB 6.9 MB
20 – Part II, Chapter 15: Sailing Onwards 14.7 MB 9.3 MB 7.3 MB
21 – Part II, Chapter 16: The City 14.4 MB 9.2 MB 7.2 MB
22 – Part II, Chapter 17: The Camp 17.9 MB 11.5 MB 8.9 MB
23 – Part II, Chapter 18: The King’s Levy 14.1 MB 9.0 MB 7.0 MB
24 – Part II, Chapter 19: Fighting 16.6 MB 10.4 MB 8.3 MB
25 – Part II, Chapter 20: In Danger 17.3 MB 10.9 MB 8.7 MB
26 – Part II, Chapter 21: A Voyage 18.6 MB 11.7 MB 9.3 MB
27 – Part II, Chapter 22: Discoveries 14.6 MB 9.3 MB 7.3 MB
28 – Part II, Chapter 23: Strange Things 13.8 MB 8.8 MB 6.9 MB
29 – Part II, Chapter 24: Fiery Vapours 16.1 MB 10.2 MB 8.0 MB
30 – Part II, Chapter 25: The Shepherds 17.5 MB 11.0 MB 8.7 MB
31 – Part II, Chapter 26: Bow and Arrow 12.4 MB 7.8 MB 6.2 MB
32 – Part II, Chapter 27: Surprised 15.5 MB 9.9 MB 7.8 MB
33 – Part II, Chapter 28: For Aurora 16.6 MB 10.3 MB 8.3 MB