Beware of Pity

By: Stefan Zweig

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Length: 14 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

In the twilight of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a young cavalry officer is invited to a dance at the home of a rich landowner.

There - with a small act of attempted charity - he commits a simple faux pas. But from this seemingly insignificant blunder comes a tale of catastrophe arising from kindness and of honour poisoned by self-regard.

Beware of Pity has all the intensity and the formidable sense of torment and of character of the very best of Zweig's work. Definitive translation by the award-winning Anthea Bell.

©1976 Atrium Press, 2011 Anthea Bell (P)2017 Ukemi Productions Ltd

Critic reviews

"Zweig’s fictional masterpiece." ( Guardian)

Terrific story!

Great classical story of unrequited love, this narrator was fantastic! Will look for more by him.

A great novel–psychologically penetrating

Although I knew of Stephen Zweig, I hadn't heard of this novel before coming across it on Audible. I highly recommend it. It's an interesting story excellently narrated. I find some of the emotional reactions of the characters rather exaggerated--melodramatic, in fact. And the climax involves some unrealistic or obviously stupid actions. For all that, I found the novel compelling, and psychologically insightful.

Masterpiece that is also extremely enjoyable

If you could sum up Beware of Pity in three words, what would they be?

Extremely enjoyable masterpiece

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

This is the first time I listened and his performance is excellent

Who was the most memorable character of Beware of Pity and why?

The doctor, because he gives off an amazing amount of philosophy, advice, background history, opinion and is a very colorful character in everyday life as well.

Any additional comments?

The reading of this book could not have done a better job, it was excellent. There are so many layers to this story and different references to pity. Besides pity to the girl Edit these is also pity elicited to the lieutenant. In addition, the father of Edit is in need of pity. There are substories within the story which are of high interest as well. The entire story is packed with meaning and submeaning. In addition the mood is set so well that the reader can feel the mood of that period in Vienna and the mindset of a soldier and the atmosphere of the times. Zweig is a master at conveying mood and bringing the reader into his world. The writing is very erudite and there is philosophy at every corner. On top of all that, the story comes off anything but dry and instead is immensely entertaining. This is a classic for all time.

Wow, captivating book, great reading

Timeless and covers humanity to the point and yet describes the period with accuracy and interest. The translation and reading are of the highest level. A must!

Recommended by Jeffrey Archer

In Oxford Union Discussion someone asked Jeffrey Archer which author he really admired and he mentioned this one.

If it's good enough for Mr.Archer it is fantastic for me.

I must comment on the Narrator. He added the passion and drama to the story, so much, that I almost came close to tears at times.

truly remarkable piece of writing. I am glad I found it.

Zweig’s perception of human nature is unparalleled

Zweig is my favorite writer and I am naturally biased to praise his writing. However, despite my preference for his style, his insight, his literary excellence, I am fully objective when I determine that this is, indeed, one of his best works.
The performance does justice to characters and the narrative. Such a deeply felt read. I am thankful that Zweig is read and shared so intimately.

You beautiful, nervous wreck!

Zweig's story is a beautiful one, yet one i cannot relate to.


Why then do I stil like this book?
It tells the story of a young officer in an austrian cavallery regiment located in Hungary, and his ever more complicated relations with the family " Von Kékesfalva", and subsequently his many and sometimes almost childish and desperate ways of trying to escape these same complications. I hate to spoil a good plot, so I will leave it at that.
I guess much of what denies this book greatness in my eyes, it really a sign of greatness in itself, as it is the frustration and anger I feel towards the story's main character that left me with compicated feelings about the work.
But even when I was frustrated with the plot of the story, other parts of the book would always hold me, and keep me from stopping to listen.
It was, among other things, the allure of the fascinating and mysterious culture and daily life of the Austro-Hungarian empire. I had first listened to The World of Yesterday by Zweig, and wanted to hear all I could about this part of european history that I knew so little of. Zweig truly brought me enjoyment through this work, and it is one that I am sure to revisit.

Para disfrutar y pensar

Zweig siempre entrando en lo más profundo del mundo interior humano. Una excelente narración que permite sumergirse en la historia.

One of my favorite authors

Along with Alexander Lernet-Holenia and Márai Sàndor, Stefan Zweig is a jewel in the literary crown of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Beware of Pity is a period piece, an all too brief glimpse at a world forever lost.

It is a story which may seem quaint in our time now that honor, manners, and human decency are thin on the ground, but still it fascinates.

Zweig is often dismissed by the superficial reader as “sentimental.” Yes, he can be. He was, after all, a Viennese very much of his time.

But such a reading is shallow and simplistic. To dismiss Zweig with a supercilious sniff is to miss not only a visit to his evocative fictional world, but to his deep understanding of character and conflict. I always enjoy returning to his fictional Vienna and losing myself there once more.

This reading is simply extraordinary. With so many clueless narrators slaughtering foreign languages with the most grotesque pronunciation, Boulton’s performance is glorious, even musical, as befits the author himself. I enjoyed every minute.

I hope someone will bring us another of Zweig’s extraordinary novels, The Post Office Girl.

Excellent

Excellent story, involved me completely in the forgotten austro-hungarian empire, and Stephan Zweig's writing; especially his characterization and talent for setting, keeps your ears glued to your headphines. This is a great book about a world and a time that is gone with the wind.