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Officers and Gentlemen

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Officers and Gentlemen

By: Evelyn Waugh
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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About this listen

Undergoing training on the Isle of Mugg, Guy Crouchback is now attached to a commando unit where the ministry whisky flows freely and HM Forces have to show proper respect to the Laird. But the comedy of Mugg is followed by the bitterness of Crete: the indignity of withdrawal or surrender.

©1955 Evelyn Waugh (P)2015 Hachette Audio Classics Fiction Genre Fiction War & Military

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I have loved this trilogy for many years and this audio version does it credit. However, it should have been advertised as abridged. It was less noticeable in this volume, much more so in Men at Arms.

Wonderful story, well read

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This novel is more fun than this ‘review’ might reflect. After ‘Men at Arms’ I was quickly into ‘Officers and Gentlemen’ - a busier and eventful sequel. ‘O&G’ is rich in great humour – whatever the setting. Irony and judgemental reflections on the real events come more to the fore. I had not appreciated until well into this second volume that so much of what Waugh wrote about has a basis in actual events. Tripping over a website/reader’s companion (David Cliffe’s) it is so helpful in detail and explanation was a revelation and enriched my understanding and appreciation. Discovering that likely real-life figures are enshrined in the novels was added spice. My only niggle with the novel was, as in ‘Men at Arms’, the liberal use of abbreviations. These for many can be a mystery.) The triangle of officers, gentlemen and the notion of honour hurtle through the novel constantly questioning. Many of the characters measure short. The characters are well drawn and they stay well in the mind. I regret not meeting the trilogy of Waugh’s books earlier in my life; I am sure I would have returned to it to savour them. [Audible’s texts are the individual novels. When Waugh later had them republished as a single, unified volume he made numerous alterations.] Christian Rodska’s narration/performance is very creditable/engaging - and he has more opportunity for characterisation with many new and diverse characters. Looking forward to the third novel and further Waugh.

Officers and Few Gentlemen - Rewarding Read

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Superb evocation of the absurdities and injustices of war, in particular the experience of many men in the British imperial forces in the Second World War.

Superb

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I was worried I might not finish this as the military jargon, ranks etc. was all a bit incomprehensible at times, but Waugh is such an accomplished story teller and the reading so engaging that I soon got drawn in. The characters are colourful and the story is at times farce and at other times sad and poignant. This isn't the war I studied at school, it seems more honest than that: the class divide, the boredom, the disorganised command structure etc.

Good performance

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Book 2 of 3. Second installment and as good as the first. Beautifully written with memorable characters. The narrator is superb

More pleasure

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Such a wry, brilliantly written account of the army in wartime. Muddling through was about the best description.

simply wonderful

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said it all but must make fifteen words, nine ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen

Brilliant narration of a superb story.

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exceptional rendition of the second book of evelyn waugh's trilogy emphasising the humour and pathos within the story.

exceptional reading

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Brilliantly written by the complete 20th century master of the novel – and perfectly read by narrator that brings each of the characters alive

Brilliant

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A great book, both funny and profound and superbly read. Looking forward to moving on to the third book to complete the trilogy.

Book two of this marvellous trilogy.

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