Mortal Follies, Audiobook

Mortal Follies (2023) Alexis Hall narrated by Nneka Okoye (The Mortal Follies #1)

Set in Bath in 1814

I am that knavish sprite that frights the maidens of the villagery. I am Oberon’s jester—was Oberon’s jester, that’s rather the issue. I am called hobgoblin by some and, contrary to what certain people might have told you, it is not a name I like and you shall not have good luck if you repeat it in my hearing. I am also your narrator.

The narrator is as much a character of this story as those characters whose stories are told. As such, the voice and narration are hugely important, and Nneka Okoye nailed everything.

“Or perhaps she has placed me under a spell which makes me think well of her when I should not.”

Such spells do exist. Should you ever need one cast, do not hesitate to ask me.

One of the strengths of this tale is that with such an unreliable narrator, we don’t get the POV of every characters, specifically, we don’t get Georgiana’s thoughts and feelings, except as Puck chooses to describe them.

“I am—you must surely realise—in a most compromising position and should any gentleman happen upon me in this state, I would be quite ruined.”

“Then you should have had the foresight to be born richer or more male.”

I highly recommend both the story and the narration.

“That’s what the man who sold it me said.”

“The man who sold it you?” Mr. Caesar had the hesitant tone of somebody asking a question to which he was quite certain he would not like the answer.

“Yes. I met him by the beach one day, and he swore to me that the dress he was carrying was woven of mermaids’ hair and I saw no reason to disbelieve him, so I bought it at once.”

This, reader, was very sensible, and is an example you should all follow.

Characters: Puck, Lady Georgiana Landrake the Duke of Annadale, Miss Maelys Mitchelmore, Miss Lysistrata Bickle, Mr John Caesar, Mr Thomas Ellersley, Miss Tabitha, Serena, Miss Worthing, Lady Jane Mitchelmore, Lord Richard Hale, Miss Mary Caesar, Miss Anne Caesar, Lady Mary Caesar, Viscount Fortrose, Mrs Wilberforce, Sulis Minerva, Viscount Fortrose, Carter, Sweet Maggie, Colm Peppercorn

Publisher: Random House Audio

Rating: 9/10

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