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The Hippopotamus

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The Hippopotamus

By: Stephen Fry
Narrated by: Stephen Fry
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About this listen

Ted Wallace is an old, sour, womanising, cantankerous, whisky-sodden beast of a failed poet and drama critic, but he has his faults too. Fired from his newspaper, months behind on his alimony payments, and disgusted with a world that undervalues him, Ted seeks a few months repose and free drink at Swafford Hall, the country mansion of his old friend Lord Logan.

But strange things have been going on at Swafford. Miracles. Healings. Phenomena beyond the comprehension of a mud-caked hippopotamus like Ted....

©1994 Stephen Fry (P)1994 Random House Audio Dark Humour Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Movie, TV & Video Game Tie-Ins Fiction Funny
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Very well written, smart, witty & I love Teds character!!! Do not be put off by previous prudish reviews. It’s funny / smart and entertaining.

Love it

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I normally love everything Stephen Fry does, but really struggled with this one. Maybe it’s too much British wit for me, shame because I really wanted to get into it.

Struggled to get into it

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The narration was great but the story was disturbing and I didn't especially enjoy it.

Well read but I didn't like the story

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Stephen's ability to make the reader really like the protagonist, for all his apparent faults, is legend. And to make us see through the utter pomposity and stupidity of some characeters whilst simultaneously quietly championing others is similarly brilliant. Loved the twists and turns this tale took, AND found the whole thing completely beliavable too. Give more please, old darling!

Stephen Fry should write more novels!

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Really enjoyed this from Stephen Fry. It had a bit of everything, it was laugh out loud funny, intelligent, had subtle warmth, a bit outrageous and brilliantly presented as always. Loved the twist on the classic manor-house mystery plot as well as it felt fresh and easy to engage with.

Masterful

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I had initially been put off by the repugnance of our protagonist way too much too bear in the initial chapters. However I am so glad I made the effort to persevere as I was rewarded by a listen of great merit and enjoyment. This is both a romp of a book and a wonderful 'who-dun-it' without a murder. Very clever writing by Mr Fry. The narration is also top shelf. I had to look twice to make sure it was actually the well known author and actor at first such was the cleverness of the voicing in gravelly tones of his old curmudgeon. An absolute master-class in audio narration and such a joy to listen to. Worth every moment.

What a Gem!

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A bit confronted at the beginning by where I thought it was going but persisted, put my trust in Mr Fry and thoroughly enjoyed it

Loved it

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What a wonderful book. It’s old school in so many ways, not the least of which is Fry’s breathtaking command of the language. He displays a great knowledge of human behaviour, portrayed via a blistering snobbery tempered by the protagonist’s self-deprecation. It’s so rare to enjoy such talent and the cherry on the cake is the joy of listening to his voice. If you love traditional high literature, this is it, dragged laughing and puking into the modern age. I’m in awe.

Mastery

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Stephen Fry had me laughing out loud whilst pondering where the story was headed. Quintessentially British humour at its best!

Quirky, witty and fun...and very naughty!

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book with no story line and complete nonsense!!!
waste of time and gave up on it half way

nonsense

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