The Hippopotamus

By: Stephen Fry

Narrated by: Stephen Fry

Ted Wallace is an old, sour, womanising, cantankerous, whisky-sodden beast of a failed poet and drama critic, but he has his faults too. Fired from his newspaper, months behind on his alimony payments, and disgusted with a world that undervalues him, Ted seeks a few months repose and free drink at Swafford Hall, the country mansion of his old friend Lord Logan.

But strange things have been going on at Swafford. Miracles. Healings. Phenomena beyond the comprehension of a mud-caked hippopotamus like Ted....

©1994 Stephen Fry (P)1994 Random House Audio

what a british gem mr fry is!

i can't possibly get enough of stephen fry. i'm gulping his books like morning tea.

I really didn't like this much at all

The sex and the casual mentions of pedophilia and bestiality were enough to put me off. I think the book could have done without it. I wish I hadn't listened to it. This from a person that loves listening to anything Stephen Fry writes or reads.

A huge disappointment.

Very good, clever and original story

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

Yes. Well written and clever with superb story telling

What other book might you compare The Hippopotamus to and why?

Dunno, but it definatly has a very Fry-esque stamp on it.

Good story, fantastic performance

Would you listen to The Hippopotamus again? Why?

Absolutely, because Stephen Fry brings the characters so fully to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hippopotamus?

The description of the events of the New Year's Day shooting party, from the point of view of two young boys.

What about Stephen Fry’s performance did you like?

Everything! Every character was distinct, even people who only had one line of dialogue.

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

These characters are the sort of people one prefers to watch from a safe distance, actually.

Any additional comments?

This is the first audiobook novel I've experienced, and I can't help but think that, as first reads go, this one sets the bar extremely high. If you've never had Stephen Fry read you a story, doing all the voices, you've really missed out. I listened to the first few chapters while out walking one day, and was thus obliged to perfect the finger-point that perfectly expresses "I'm not laughing at you, but the sounds in my ears" to strangers surprised by the eruption of snorts, hoots, and giggles as they approach or pass.

The language and turn of frase are superb.

Fry delivers a character who's one liners are cuttingly funny and delivered like rounds from a tommy gun. loved it 💪