Carnaval: A Wry Contemporary Mystery

By: S. A. Finlay

Narrated by: Matt Milne

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

A group of hapless broke young people, struggling to get a break in life on the run-up to Brexit & Trump, collide with their well-heeled elders (who really ought to know better), at a notorious 'party' (yes we all know what that means) in a mysterious mansion one rainy night in London. Enter: quixotic well-intentioned soak, Carnaval, who reels amiably between the two generations and complicates things to comical and touching effect. A gentle closely observed tale populated with a rogue's gallery of memorable characters and a stand-out performance by London itself. A shot across the bows: a comedy of manners and a timely coming-of-age satire. Mind the Generation Gap!  

©2017 S. A. Finlay (P)2018 S. A. Finlay

Carnaval

The younger and the older generation. They both have their own side to explain and depend. A very interesting audio book to listen to.

Interesting, British and Convoluted

I am still unsure whether or not I enjoyed this book. At times I found myself checking how much longer it would go on, and other times it kept my interest. Some of the characters are interesting, others seem to be self indulgent boors. Pretty much like real life.
It may or may not be your cup of tea, but it is well written and narrated.
I was given this free audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

British story

Any additional comments?

This is an intense story which takes place in England, While sex is mentioned, it is not at all explicit. I received this title for free in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is a story about a British dysfunctional family and their colleagues. Appearances, power, and money rule. This is not a book to have on in the background because you will miss important details. The story builds slowly and deliberately. A very intriguing tale is told where the power and money transfers from the haves to the have nots. A very satisfying listen!

This Book is Very British

For Anyone who has not been at least exposed to British culture through television, books etc. this book may be a little strange or difficult to immerse one's self in. This is further not helped by the fact that the narrator is both slow in his reading pace and over-long in his pauses. Not that these things are by themselves bad, or even taken as a whole. It is simply that for myself I found that for this audiobook, I found that I had to uncharacteristically go back and re-listen to a part that my brain had tuned out or skipped over.

Once you can adjust yourself to the pacing, you'll find the story. This story cleverly hides a mystery which hides yet even more story behind it. From the beginning, and for most of the book the audience is introduced to many different characters, then they are given great detail on each character, how that character relates to other characters and why they are the way that they are. After that, the Mystery, that had only been foreshadowed in small statements or remembrances shows how each of the characters choose to deal with the unusual situations that the Mystery causes each of them. Ultimately those choices reveal even to the characters themselves, many truths that were previously buried. Carnaval is certainly a dizzying ride.

Two different generation

A view of how two different generations see this...the twenty-something who is never happy and always broke and the fifty-something who isn't broke but allows his daughter to twist him about...interesting story

Carnaval

This book is well written, dry and funny. The narration is also well paced. Unfortunately, the story was just not for me, hence the low rating.

This book was given to me free of charge in exchange for a review.

An Audio Delight

The dialog, word usage and grasp of the English language reminds me of Dickens or Austen. There's a depth to the writing which is constantly playing between the seriousness and triviality of life. The characters pop out of the novel, circle around your mind, before merging back into the wonderful ensemble. The delightful narration adds to the listening experience. A very enjoyable listen.

Dry humour, coming of age in today's London

Would you listen to Carnaval: A Wry Contemporary Mystery again? Why?

Yes to remind me of growing to adulthood in a Great City

What other book might you compare Carnaval: A Wry Contemporary Mystery to, and why?

Catcher in the Rye

What does Matt Milne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Calm, concentration and feeling for the characters

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

London Post Crash Pre Brexit and Trump

Any additional comments?

Easiest way to understand London as it is today