Vanity Fair

By: William Makepeace Thackeray

Narrated by: John Castle

Exclusively from Audible

Set during the time of the Napoleonic Wars, this classic gives a satirical picture of a worldly society. The audiobook revolves around the exploits of the impoverished but beautiful and devious Becky Sharp who craves wealth and a position in society. Calculating and determined to succeed, she charms, deceives and manipulates everyone she meets.

A story of early 19th-century English society, it takes its title from the place designated as the centre of human corruption in John Bunyan's 17th-century allegory Pilgrim's Progress.

Receiving popular and critical success on first publication, the novel is considered Thackeray's masterpiece, and this satire of society is as relevant now as when it first appeared. In 2003, Vanity Fair was listed at Number 122 on the BBC's The Big Read poll of the UK's best-loved books.

Thackeray was born in Calcutta in 1811. After his father's death, he was sent to be educated in England at five years old, while is mother remarried in India. The canings and abuses he received in private boarding schools formed a basis for some of his work as did the culture of Anglo-Indians which also featured prominently.

Narrator Biography

After training at RADA, John's professional career began in 1964 at the Regent's Park Theatre.

Film credits include Michelangelo Antonioni's Blow Up, The Lion in Winter, Man of La Mancha, King David, Antony and Cleopatra, Robocop 2 and The Sparrow. Theatre credits include Bloody Sunday (The Tricycle Theatre), Claudius in Hamlet (National Theatre), Rat in the Skull (Duke of York's Theatre), End Game (Tron Theatre, Glasgow), Shylock in The Merchant of Venice (London Shakespeare Group), Infidelities (The Boulevard Theatre), and Breaking the Code (The Comedy Theatre). Television credits include Tracate Middoth, The Fixer, Spooks, Poirot, Silent Witness, The Holocaust on Trial, Casualty, Princes in the Tower, Gods and Generals, Fight Against Slavery, Ben Hall, I, Claudius, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and Lillie.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

more than a masterpiece

Brilliant and strangely modern, with its proto-feminist heroine (or anti-heroine) and its playfully unreliable narrator. When I say Vanity Fair is a masterpiece, I'm just saying what millions of readers have said before.

So let me tell you instead about John Castle. This actor skillfully captures the various characters of the novel, their tone of voice, their accent (his version of a Frenchman trying to speak English is especially inspired.) But his achievement goes much further. The most important voice he has captured is that of the author, or rather the narrator, which in this novel is not quite the same thing. The narrator divulges dark secrets and then . . .holds other secrets back, claiming ignorance or wishing to spare the reader. The narrator is brilliant, hard-edged, at times lyrical -- and often, like many other figures who crowd this book, not entirely trustworthy. Castle, in his pauses, his breaths, his hesitations, his hints of irony, has become that voice.

Generally, it's convenience that pushes me to listen to books, rather than read them. But this time I'm sure I've been treated to a much richer experience than the already rich, rich experience of the millions before me who didn't listen, but merely turned the pages of this great book.

The performance was outstanding

I enjoyed the story, but it was the performance that was exceptional. I will look for other books by this reader.

Superlative narration of a classic

Vanity Fair is an epic novel of 19th century British society and personal relationships. Except for a tedious section near the end, which is little more than a travelogue, the story kept me fascinated. John Castle's narration is amazing. He is an accomplished English actor. His skills are up to the challenges Thackeray's unabridged text presents, including some now-archaic words and brief passages of French. Bravo, Mr Castle, and thank you, Audible, for offering this gem at no cost to members.

The Folly of Miss Sharp

Folly calls to you at the gate and will lead on the path of death. As Becky leads you through vanity fair calling on everyone around to join in the ride you see the different stings and tricks used to tie them into place. See how far down the path foolishness and vanity will take them and who will get off the ride in time.

Wonderful Narration

The narrator of this story is quite easy to listen to and has a very engaging voice and tone. Highly recommended!

INCOMPLETE - DO YOUR HOMEWORK

This version is missing the crucial preface and coda to the work. While some installment purists will point out that the original serialized version did not have the preface when it was released in monthly parts from 1847-1848, the first full edition of the book did have one in 1848, of course written by Thackeray and intended to be read before and after the actual text.

Do yourself a favor and read the preface (easily found online, simply google "Vanity Fair PDF" and click on the first link - it's in the public domain) before starting the audiobook. Additionally, when you take a break from listening, have a gander at some of the illustrations that originally accompanied the work - they're every bit as biting and satirical as the text itself.

Lastly, Thackeray expected the reader to be familiar with the term "Vanity Fair" - not just as a magazine title. An extract from the VF wiki: " 'Vanity Fair' or a 'vanity-fair' was also in general use for 'the world' in a range of connotations from the blandly descriptive to the wearily dismissive to the condemning."

Now that you've done your homework, please enjoy a magnificent performance of one of the most relentlessly mocking, least empathetic novels ever written. Unless your name is Amelia Sedley, I'm sure you will.

Terrific perfomance of a timeless classic

Would you listen to Vanity Fair again? Why?

Yes, becuase the quality of Castle's performance is so good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Vanity Fair?

Far too many to select one. He's very good at building a long story arc that culminates with some type of reconciliation between people who have long been apart or estranged.

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

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

10 X better than Downton Abbey

Any additional comments?

Of the many audio novels I have listened to, Castle's performance here is one of the most rewarding of all. Thackeray's narrative skill, characterizations, and plotting are at the very highest level. One of the very best.

great!

I really loved the book. it was long but never lagged. excellent reader as well

Overall good book, but drags at times.

I've been wanting to read this book for years. I found myself more than once wishing the writer would hurry up with the story, it dragged on at times with mundane details and seeming lack of story progression. I felt there were aspects in the middle that could/should have been explained more too. I did like the reader though and am glad I can cross this one off my list.

John Castle is brilliant!

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

Yes - great writing - interesting tie-ins to history - a clear look into the class system of the time - and a great narrator.

What about John Castle’s performance did you like?

I loved reading this book when I was young, but this narrator has such a fine-tuned ear to the vernacular, custom, and characters of the time, that it expanded and multiplied the experience for me. He never flagged; the characters were spot-on, his varying accents completely believable, and his pacing was perfect.