0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 2 weeks
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
December 1, 2004 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781405698955
- File size: 109443 KB
- Duration: 03:48:00
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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March 5, 2001
In this classic tale of British life between the World Wars, Waugh parts company with the satire of his earlier works to examine affairs of the heart. Charles Ryder finds himself stationed at Brideshead, the family seat of Lord and Lady Marchmain. Exhausted by the war, he takes refuge in recalling his time spent with the heirs to the estate before the war—years spent enthralled by the beautiful but dissolute Sebastian and later in a more conventional relationship with Sebastian's sister Julia. Ryder portrays a family divided by an uncertain investment in Roman Catholicism and by their confusion over where the elite fit in the modern world. Although Waugh was considered by many to be more successful as a comic than as a wistful commentator on human relationships and faith, this novel was made famous by a 1981 BBC TV dramatization. Irons's portrayal of Ryder catapulted Irons to stardom, and in this superb reading his subtle, complete characterizations highlight Waugh's ear for the aristocratic mores of the time. Fervent Anglophiles will be thrilled by this excellent rendition of a favorite; Irons's reading saves this dinosaur from being suffocated by its own weight. -
There is no doubt that reader Jeremy Irons truly understands the book he brings to life in this recording. Irons's genteel growl reverberates between ironic and conversational, husky and refined, befitting this story. The reader sees the Marchmain family through the eyes of first-person narrator Charles Ryder and is treated to an interesting view of aristocracy and decadence in early twentieth-century England. Irons shines as both reader and actor, making subtle but valuable vocal alterations for each character. Ryder's account of the charming Marchmains is entertaining, and Irons's portrayal of Ryder is a joy to listen to. L.B.F. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine -
Charles Ryder's attachment to the irresistible Sebastian Flyte during their idyllic days at Oxford and his subsequent involvement in Sebastian's captivating family lead to a series of tragic encounters in Waugh's novel of moral disillusionment. Jeremy Irons is Charles Ryder to anyone who has had the privilege of seeing the PBS adaptation of this well-known work. Irons's total familiarity with the story reveals itself in a flawless portrayal of a wide range of familiar, complex characters who include the manipulative Lady Marchmain, the elusive Julia, and the wildly outrageous Anthony Blanche. The spellbinding narration convincingly conveys the novel's suffocating atmosphere and adds depth and focus to an outstanding audio production. J.A. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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Charles Ryder is fascinated by Lord Sebastian Flyte at Oxford. After spending time at the family's home, Brideshead, he develops an attachment to the whole family; years later he is engaged to marry Sebastian's sister Julia. This tidy abridgment of Evelyn Waugh's story of faith, decadence, love, and disillusionment between the wars is narrated by Jeremy Northam. His portrayal of the Marchmains is masterful--the feckless Sebastian is irresistible, the younger Cordelia is delightful, and Lady Marchmain is formidable and manipulative. We understand why Charles is spellbound by Sebastian and Julia. He also successfully creates characters across gender, class (Charles's army buddies), and country (Germans and Canadians). However, his performance of Charles is just a bit too laid-back--Charles seems a little dull, and listeners may wonder what Sebastian and Julia see in him. A.B. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
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October 30, 2000
In this classic tale of British life between the World Wars, Waugh parts company with the satire of his earlier works to examine affairs of the heart. Charles Ryder finds himself stationed at Brideshead, the family seat of Lord and Lady Marchmain. Exhausted by the war, he takes refuge in recalling his time spent with the heirs to the estate before the war--years spent enthralled by the beautiful but dissolute Sebastian and later in a more conventional relationship with Sebastian's sister Julia. Ryder portrays a family divided by an uncertain investment in Roman Catholicism and by their confusion over where the elite fit in the modern world. Although Waugh was considered by many to be more successful as a comic than as a wistful commentator on human relationships and faith, this novel was made famous by a 1981 BBC TV dramatization. Irons's portrayal of Ryder catapulted Irons to stardom, and in this superb reading his subtle, complete characterizations highlight Waugh's ear for the aristocratic mores of the time. Fervent Anglophiles will be thrilled by this excellent rendition of a favorite; Irons's reading saves this dinosaur from being suffocated by its own weight.
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