Beatrice and Virgil

A Novel

De: Yann Martel

Narrado por: Mark Bramhall

Fate takes many forms. . . .

When Henry receives a letter from an elderly taxidermist, it poses a puzzle that he cannot resist. As he is pulled further into the world of this strange and calculating man, Henry becomes increasingly involved with the lives of a donkey and a howler monkey—named Beatrice and Virgil—and the epic journey they undertake together.

With all the spirit and originality that made Life of Pi so beloved, this brilliant new novel takes the reader on a haunting odyssey. On the way Martel asks profound questions about life and art, truth and deception, responsibility and complicity.

A Study in Human Psychology

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to people who are interested in the study of human behavior. There are instances where the book is very dark and disturbing because the author goes to great lengths to describe torturous acts in finite detail. For that reason, I would caution readers who are looking for a light, "beach" book to stay away from this one.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The author did an excellent job of weaving all of the characters into one story with an ending that is very unexpected. There were subtle hints throughout the tale that were revealed as much more important details once the end comes into view. Although I would have added one other element to the summarizing chapter, the author chose an excellent ending!

What does Mark Bramhall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I really enjoy Mr. Bramhall's voice interpretations of the characters. With each different inflection, he captures an essence of a person in the form of the character so that the reader can visualize him/her. It was not difficult to determine in which voice Mr. Bramhall was speaking.

If you could rename Beatrice and Virgil, what would you call it?

Wow. I wouldn't begin to think that my literary skills are near Yann Martel's. But to answer the question, I might venture to title the book "Measure of a Man" (not to be confused with Martin Luther King, Jr. or Sidney Poitier's work). It seems to me that the taxidermist was taking stock of his entire life and trying to put it into words. A comparison, if you will, so as to "measure" the things in his past to those of the prince in the story that was referenced early on; perhaps he was seeking his own redemption through the play.

Any additional comments?

This story is excellent and I enjoyed 85 - 90% of the content. I really could have done without some of the more gruesome descriptions as I have a tender heart for people and animals. However, I also understand that none of us will never know the full extent of the atrocities that took place during the horrific historical event that is the back story for this literary work. In light of that, I am sure that what was described is a drop in the bucket to what actually happened.

memorable

Disturbing but memorable. At times difficult to listen too. Will ponder for a time

Beatrice and Virgil is no Life of Pi

Even though the same mode of strong symbolism is carried through on this book by the author of the wonderful Life of Pi, it does not have the same draw early on. It is a little difficult to stay with it for the payoff. Having read Life of Pi, I did stick it out and was glad I did but it was clearly not nearly as compelling as Pi.

A Faltering Effort

Readers who became fans of Yann Martel through reading his earlier works, The Helsinki Raccamatios and The Life of Pi will be eager to take this journey, but should be warned. We've come to expect the twists and surprise syntheses of his stories. Much of Beatrice and Virgil does similarly entice us forward through a dreamscape seemingly pregnant with metaphor. And yet, this story satisfies on no score of its promise.

This is not an indictment of the violence and seeming nihilism; we need not demand happy endings. Life can suck. Very well. We are happy to engage any reaction to this, from stoic to the prophetic.

Rather, our dissatisfaction is that B&V never collects on its investment. It wanders hither and yon, leading to an abrupt ending, a suckerpunch lacking any revelation of import or meaning. Perhaps Martel meant to lead this work through such fragmentation and alienation as a matter of art, part of the Waiting for Godot riff on the apocalyptic. But on the whole the effect suffices neither art nor meaning. The vignettes are classic Martel, but they relate to no storytold whole. Instead of wabi sabi, the text is just shoddy. There is no pensivity, nor implication to connect, no zen transmission in this koan.

The cataclysmic in life, the daemonic dimension which stripes the land of the Shirt, indeed suffuses us with the bile of fey alienation. Martel is right to investigate this incommunicability of Hell's estate using kabuki gestures: the trembling moment of fierce and indifferent death, a list scratched in donkey fur. But we are disappointed that the vision of this text never dilates outward toward the greater view which Martel historically was so skilled at intimating. It left us to finish the work of the author in our imaginations, embarrassed by his gimmicky insult, rather than pondering and savouring implications.

Rather than whine through his protagonist that readers can't grok, Martel might profit/prophet better by condescending less.

Unusual

If you could sum up Beatrice and Virgil in three words, what would they be?

Glad I listened.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Virgil

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't answer this.

If you could take any character from Beatrice and Virgil out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The Taxidermist. Definetely. Maybe Henry, to another restaurant.

Any additional comments?

Virgil and Beatrice helped me understand. I hope it made me better.