Vanity Fair

By: William Makepeace Thackeray

Narrated by: John Castle

Length: 31 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Set during the time of the Napoleonic Wars, this classic gives a satirical picture of a worldly society. The audiobook revolves around the exploits of the impoverished but beautiful and devious Becky Sharp who craves wealth and a position in society. Calculating and determined to succeed, she charms, deceives and manipulates everyone she meets.

A story of early 19th-century English society, it takes its title from the place designated as the centre of human corruption in John Bunyan's 17th-century allegory Pilgrim's Progress.

Receiving popular and critical success on first publication, the novel is considered Thackeray's masterpiece, and this satire of society is as relevant now as when it first appeared. In 2003, Vanity Fair was listed at Number 122 on the BBC's The Big Read poll of the UK's best-loved books.

Thackeray was born in Calcutta in 1811. After his father's death, he was sent to be educated in England at five years old, while is mother remarried in India. The canings and abuses he received in private boarding schools formed a basis for some of his work as did the culture of Anglo-Indians which also featured prominently.

Narrator Biography

After training at RADA, John's professional career began in 1964 at the Regent's Park Theatre.

Film credits include Michelangelo Antonioni's Blow Up, The Lion in Winter, Man of La Mancha, King David, Antony and Cleopatra, Robocop 2 and The Sparrow. Theatre credits include Bloody Sunday (The Tricycle Theatre), Claudius in Hamlet (National Theatre), Rat in the Skull (Duke of York's Theatre), End Game (Tron Theatre, Glasgow), Shylock in The Merchant of Venice (London Shakespeare Group), Infidelities (The Boulevard Theatre), and Breaking the Code (The Comedy Theatre). Television credits include Tracate Middoth, The Fixer, Spooks, Poirot, Silent Witness, The Holocaust on Trial, Casualty, Princes in the Tower, Gods and Generals, Fight Against Slavery, Ben Hall, I, Claudius, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and Lillie.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

A delicious story: amusing and thought provoking!

Would you listen to Vanity Fair again? Why?

Yes, after I listen to other stories I have downloaded.

What did you like best about this story?

The charming wit and the author's aside comments to the reader.

Have you listened to any of John Castle’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I will.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I do not see how this book successfully made into film, because the "best" parts are the author's comments and interior monologes. The book is so rich, and its power is in these elements.

I couldn’t stop...

This book has now rose to the top 3 spot of all time. You can’t help but love and hate the characters in their turn. Thackeray ties together a three generation story with ease. I felt like I was living among them transcended into the 18th century. John Castle’s performance was outstanding, I will be looking for his other works on audible!!

Vanitas Vanitatum

This is an excellent book with an interesting story that is written with exquisite English prose.

John Castle’s narration could not be improved upon. He reads it with wonderful nuance and expression and with clear enunciation.

It was a marvel to listen to after having read many years ago!

Glad I read it

I hesitated due to length and the large number of characters - names are the hardest part of listening for me, But it was much easier than I expected. Having just read several works of Thomas Hardy, i felt this work set up some of the elements of Hardy's work. If I want to get a handle on the possible untrustworthy narrative voice, I will definitely have to listen again.

Great narration that puts you there

Novels of this era ramble a lot, and this was originally a story presented in installments. The best part of this audiobook was having a narrator with the skills to capture the nuance and humor of the story.

Outstanding narration of an essential masterpiece

This is an outstanding narration of an essential masterpiece. Vanity Fair is as relevant today as when it was written. The narrator reveals Thackeray’s wit, irony, and literary mastery. It is thoroughly enjoyable.

It was a wonderfully complex classic novel.

I loved the story plot and the way the author occasionally injected himself into the text.

My Best Audiobook Experience Ever!

I enjoyed this book so much! I don't think I could have read the print copy but the audio version was magnificent! I wish I could find something else to listen to that would match it. John Castle really brings this one to life.

I won't go into the details of the story. It is great satire but at the same time a wonderful tale of a group of characters who generally get what they deserve.

Thirty-one hours of this book was too short - I hated for it too end.

peerless

a bravura performance of an essential masterpiece. you will be ensnared as if by Becky.

A Treat!

The narrator brought his book and its several characters to life. Wonderful story well told.