Vanity Fair

A Novel Without a Hero

By: William Makepeace Thackeray

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Now a major motion picture, Vanity Fair is one of the greatest of English novels, a vast satirical panorama of a materialistic society and a landmark in the history of realistic fiction.

Generally considered to be his masterpiece, Vanity Fair is Thackeray's resplendent social satire that exposes the greed and corruption raging in England during the turmoil of the Napoleonic wars. Subtitled "A Novel Without a Hero", it traces the changing fortunes of two unforgettable women: the scheming opportunist Becky Sharp, one of literature's most resourceful, engaging, and amoral heroines, and her foil, the faithful, naive Amelia Sedley. Amid the swirl of London's posh ballrooms and affairs of love and war, their fortunes rise and fall. Thackeray's subversive, comic attack on the hypocrisy and "dismal roguery" of an avaricious world resonates 150 years later with implications for our own times.

(P)1998 Blackstone Audiobooks

Great story.

The narrator did a wonderful job reading Vanity Fair! A great listen for anyone who loves the classics!

Good

This is a long story. But it is a classic and worth reading. I’d recommend this version.

Frederick Davidson is a master!

It's true that Thackeray sometimes goes on and on; but what fun! Davidson (who also reads as David Case) perfectly captures the tone of Thakeray's gentle and on-the money satire of the social foibles and pretensions of the time. His ability to give a clearly distinct voice to each character makes listening particularly rich and easy to follow. He makes the two main characters -- Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley -- absolutely come alive. My selection of books to buy is highly influenced by my admiration of this superb narrator.

Great listen.

Narrator is perfect for this book. Tried reading this book a long time ago, never finished the book. Except for the authors constant comments on the perfidy of women the book was interesting and great bedtime listen.

Vanity fair picture of 19th century upper society

Interesting satire of thank pompous society of 29th century full of hypocrisy and pretentious grandeur