Vile Bodies: Bright Young Things (A CSA Word Classic)

Product Description Evelyn Waugh was known for his cutting critiques of English high—and low—society of the 1920s and '30s. Vile Bodies finds him at the peak of his form. This story of impoverished writer and high-society hanger-on Adam Fenwick-Symes recounts his endless attempts to wed heiress Nina Blount. The unforgettable cast of zanies includes American evangelist Mrs. Ape, the modern Mrs. Runcible, a revolving line of Prime Ministers, and the inimitable Mr. Chatterbox. Waugh's coruscating wit and surprisingly serious ending are well-served by this dramatic audio version. From AudioFile Waugh's 1930 satire of between-the-wars English society, especially of "bright young things" living a less-than-moral high life, is essentially a screwball comedy, but cynical and mean-spirited rather than frothy or whimsical. Three voices narrate, a male narrator and one reader each for the male and female characters. All three voices are attractive, and the acting--especially by Emilia Fox, playing the females--is generally excellent. The differentiation of voices in dialogue, usually done by age, class, and accent, is also good, although occasionally Tobias Menzies, playing the males, fails to differentiate two characters of similar background. The reading is lively, striking the right notes of giddy sophistication, heartlessness, and befuddlement. It's a fine performance of this sprightly, misanthropic little book. W.M. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine