• The Bonfire of the Vanities

  • By: Tom Wolfe
  • Narrated by: Joe Barrett
  • Length: 27 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (4,924 ratings)

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The Bonfire of the Vanities  By  cover art

The Bonfire of the Vanities

By: Tom Wolfe
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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Publisher's summary

This bitingly hilarious American satire will forever define late twentieth-century New York style.

Tom Wolfe’s bestselling modern classic tells the story of Sherman McCoy, an elite Wall Street bond trader who has it all: wealth, power, prestige, a Park Avenue apartment, a beautiful wife, and an even more beautiful mistress, until one wrong turn sends Sherman spiraling downward in a humiliating fall from grace.

A car accident in the Bronx involving Sherman, his girlfriend, and two young lower-class Black men sets a match to the incendiary racial and social tensions of 1980s New York City. Suddenly, Sherman finds himself embroiled in the most brutal, high-profile case of the year, as prosecutors, politicians, the press, the police, the clergy, and assorted hustlers rush in to further their own political and social agendas. With so many egos at stake, the last priority on anyone’s mind is truth or justice.

©1987 Tom Wolfe (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A big, bitter, funny, craftily plotted book that grabs you by the lapels and won't let go." ( New York Times Book Review)
"Sheer entertainment against a fabulous background....Often hilarious, and much, much more." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"Erupting from the first line with noise, color, tension and immediacy....brilliant." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about The Bonfire of the Vanities

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  • 10-26-19

Outstanding Narrator and Story

The narrator is spectacular and the story is really entertaining, although a bit slow to start.

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6 stars!

Listening to this book was like biting into a ripe juicy peach every minute. Great experience.

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Six Stars

This is a great audio performance. The reader does a fantastic job portraying different voices for each character. This is the best book I've ever listen to or ever read. The main story with its characters can be played out in todays news.

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Greatest Tom Wolfe Book!

The Joe Barrett's narration is pure delight to the ears. Great job. I love this book. I love Tom Wolfe.

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Outstanding

This book caught me from the moment it started. The reader does an outstanding job and truly makes you feel like you're part of the story.

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Well read modern classic!

Really enjoyed the characters and story. The "Sherman" voice took some getting used to but I learned to appreciate it and others.

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My favorite performance so far

Wow, the story was interesting but the narrator took it to a whole other level for me. So glad I got this one during the 2 for 1 credit, we’ll worth it!! Will definitely be looking for other books by this narrator.

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A timeless story, performed by a master narrator

Bonfire of the Vanities is a modern classic worth revisiting. The story of Sherman McCoy’s tumble from his Park Avenue world springs to life through Mr. Barrett’s narrative, providing an incredible audible opportunity worth savoring.These themes are as important today as they were when Mr. Wolfe penned the tome.

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An Audible page turner.....

Fastest 23 hour “read” I’ve taken on to date..... timely topics..... race, power, corruption, criminal justice., marriage, social class .....you name it, it’s in here..... best narrator too! Storyline sailed..... entertaining and thought provoking.... highly recommend.

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Now I’m a Tom Wolfe fan

This is my first Tom Wolf book but it will be my last.
My only other exposure is the movie the right stuff but I haven’t read the book yet. Thoroughly enjoy the bonfire of the vanities.

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