Decline and Fall

What fun to hear those thick, eccentric, class-driven dialects of the British shaped by the wacky dialogue of satirical novelist Evelyn Waugh and performed hilariously by Michael Maloney. Set in the 1920's, the tale describes the fortuitous adventures of Paul Pennyfeather, a nice enough fellow kicked out of Oxford for alleged indecent exposure who then must make a living teaching at an ersatz private school. Of course, his headmaster and colleagues are all ridiculous characters, and the complications that ensue (both at the school and in prison!) are wonderfully over the top. The superb vocal characterizations, the appropriately frenetic pacing and the high energy level of Maloney's virtuoso interpretation persuasively reveal why some books should be heard and not seen. P.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

One of the funniest novels ever written in English revolves around a man teaching in a second-rate institution. Well, second-rate may be a bit charitable in the case of the ghastly public school in Evelyn Waugh's DECLINE AND FALL. The book's innocent hero, Paul Pennyfeather, finds a post after being sent down from Oxford for an act visited on him by a blow of fate. The events that overtake the hapless hero are not only funny at face value, but also allude to a cosmic scenario that gives the whole thing real comic majesty. David Case's reading sounds a little distant and dim at first, but soon this begins to reflect the netherworld into which the hero is plunged. K.A.P. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

This audio version of Waugh's first published work exudes satire at every turn. When Paul Pennyfeather is thrown out of school, he is forced to find his way in life as a schoolmaster. This change in circumstances leads to all manner of misadventures, each one rich with opportunities to make fun of 1920s British society. Stefan Rudnicki's resonant voice carries such depth that it fairly booms at times during this performance. When his comic timing is at its best--with suitable pauses and appropriate emphasis--the audiobook is laugh-out-loud funny. Occasionally, the delivery does not take full advantage of these important features, and some of the humor is lost in the rush. Still, this is a fun listen and a great introduction to Waugh's work. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine