fabulous story, frustrating narration

This amusing insight into interwar life among the well heeled is spoiled by the exasperating whisper in which it is read. The narrative disappears in the reader's unvoiced tones. Audible is normally great for listening while doing something else (washing up or something mindless). With this reading, however, you can do nothing but sit with your ear focused on the recording, straining to capture the words. I'm early 40s with no hearing issues so be warned if you are at all hard of hearing already!

2 people found this helpful

Speak Up!

I was really looking forward to this release on Audible. Unfortunately the producers have chosen Zoe Telford to narrate; she is renowned for her whispering monotone, which makes the whole experience a disappointment. If only Bessie Carter had narrated.

2 people found this helpful

Best narration ever!

Love the novel, but what makes this really special is Zoe Telford’s wonderful narration. She invests each character with such distinct personality, at times it’s easy to forget there’s just one narrator. Her performance of the children Vick and Jazzy are utterly brilliant, as are the other caricatures - Cedric, Uncle Matthew and Sonia. But she also plays the low key characters wonderfully. I’ve lost count of the number of Audible books I’ve listened to, and Zoe’s performance is by far the best. I’d listen to her read a Haynes manual

1 person found this helpful

This needs a re-write also

The horrible fact about lies is that they spread. The lies of one person in a tabloid can be taken to court and the person who wrote the lies can be sued. And that is right just and lawful.

When every culture and clan that is not exactly like an upper-class, rich protestant Brit; is lied about, degraded and insulted and in such an old bigoted book; one might ask where is the justice?

There is a difference between freedom of speech; and keeping things real; and the spreading of lies and muck and filth about other cultures; while pretending the liable statements are true facts. These people are the worst types of hypocrites condoning their own bad behaviour when closing ranks.

This book at best is average; with bigotry (like sex) just thrown in to sell the derogatory concept of "other". Catering to the lowest crassest type of person. The type that need lies to think themselves superior. Humans have 99.95% exactly the same genes. I prefer books that can harp on this fact instead of being judgmental about the less than 0.05% of genetic difference, on every other page. In my humble opinion.

wrong chapter order in the download

The last chapter in the download comes from the middle of the book. otherwise it was OK