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Vile Bodies cover art

Vile Bodies

By: Evelyn Waugh
Narrated by: Robert Hardy
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Summary

A satiric novel by Evelyn Waugh, published in 1930.

Set in England between the wars, the novel examines the frenetic but empty lives of the Bright Young Things, young people who indulge in constant party-going, heavy drinking, and promiscuous sex. At the novel's end, the realities of the world intrude, with Adam Fenwick-Symes, the protagonist, serving on a battlefield at the onset of another world war.

©1930 Evelyn Waugh (P)2015 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about Vile Bodies

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Exceptional narration

I would say this is probably the best narration I’ve listened to. The late, great Robert Hardy is tremendous in making what are, on the whole, dislikable characters likeable. Would highly recommend!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Mad, sad and funny

Great performance from Robert Hardy. Story is a bit choppy but some very funny and poignant bits.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Files Bodies: A good tale of the upper classes

A good tale but in my opinion spoiled by Robert Harry's narration which was far too extravagant and over the top (as usual)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful narration

Really enjoyed this. The narration was spot on for the time and feel of the story.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • MJ
  • 21-09-22

Improves towards the end

The second half is better than the first. More a series of amusing vignettes than a story. Not as good as Scoop or Decline and Fall.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Iconic Voice brought daft story to reality

My favourite Waugh book is Brideshead which always has a reality that his other books never seem to attain and I thought that when I read Vile Bodies years ago. Robert hardy's reading of this was a joy though and just made complete sense of the whole story and I suppose with it the author's satirising of the time. It made me sad that the great voice of Robert Hardy is no longer around as it was a real joy listening to his narration and worth buying this audible production for that alone.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outrageously witty

Vile Bodies is a madly brilliant and hilarious novel - the narration is a tour de force, and beyond all praise.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

hilarious tale of the bright young things

interwar years filled with booze and parties and the impending doom of WWII. Robert Hardy is brilliant as ever.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic Evelyn Waugh

Lovely to re read these old specials after fifty years and a pleasure in lockdown

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent narration

Talented narration made the book worth listening to. What skill. All books should have this quality of narration from talented actors/authors.

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2 people found this helpful