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  • High Society

  • By: Ben Elton
  • Narrated by: Greg Wagland
  • Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (209 ratings)
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High Society cover art

High Society

By: Ben Elton
Narrated by: Greg Wagland
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Summary

The war on drugs has been lost but for want of the courage to face the fact that the whole world is rapidly becoming one vast criminal network. From pop stars and princes to crack whores and street kids. From the Groucho Club toilets to the poppy fields of Afghanistan, we are all partners in crime.

High Society is a story, or rather a collection of interconnected stories, that takes the listener on a hilarious, heart-breaking, and terrifying journey through the kaleidoscope world that the law has created and from which the law offers no protection.

©2002 Ben Elton (P)2009 Random House Audio

What listeners say about High Society

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Love this one

This is by far my favourite Ben Elton book, a great and very true look at modern life if a bill to legalise all drugs were to be established and what that would mean for all the people involved.
I love all the characters and the way in which they all entwine as paths cross seen from different perspectives and through the different classes of New Labour's Britain.
From Hilarious stories to sickening acts and more, the book takes you on a journey through UK Drug culture from the Homeless and Prostitutes of London, The Drug Dealers and Currpt officials through the working class to the A List Celebs, Government employees and MP's and the Upper Class and of course the Police.
A top read/listen not to be missed!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story - with great narration

I really good story. I am a big fan of Ben Elton, his style of writing works well for me and keeps me hooked. The narration by Greg Wagland was also very good. The speed of the narration was good, keeping you on the edge of your seat for most of the book, and there were times I wanted him to read faster. The ability to use whispersync with this book meant I could read it (my preferred option) or move to audible in the car or shower. Definitely a bonus. A great purchase, and one I will listen to again and again.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking read

How many ways can you look at the effects of drugs on British society? Ben Elton takes a dozen or so victims and associated story lines, as they all are in one way or another, eventually coming to the conclusion that there's not much to be done about it all. It's hard to feel much sympathy for the characters until a small ray of hope appears towards the end. I'm glad he managed to inject hope into the story as it would have been a very bleak read. A good book for someone who has no idea how the drug and criminal classes operate in the UK.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Utterly brilliant!

This is a book that will challenge your views and take you on a rollercoaster ride through the lives of very recognisable types of people. It is written with the sharp wit expected from Ben Elton, showing the depth and complexity of the characters and how their lives are intertwined. Beautifully read in a way that brings those characters to life and makes you care about them. Hard hitting and hard to put down.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking spotlight on drug question.

Very cleverly written thought provoking story surrounding the theme of drug legalisation and consequences of today's criminalisation of drugs and users in today's society. Very enjoyable interconnected stories.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Makes you think

Don’t let the rough language put you off. This book has a story to tell.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant Concept

Loved this book when I read it and was glad to hear it on Audible. The narration was excellent and didn't detract from the story as I remembered it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent

Ben Elton at his brilliant best. Very difficult to put down once you've started reading.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Free Peter Paget! Get his bill into law

We really could do with the Peter Paget bill. Found it gripping, looked forward, in a busy life, to the next opportunity to continue listening to the next twist of awkward complications Ben has given to his intrinsic characters. Throughly entertaining. The legalisation of drugs suggests crime statistics would be reduced.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thought inspiring!

Very enjoyable & thought provoking.
I hope a lot of people read this & it paves the way to a better future.

My only niggle is nothing to do with the story, more the format of the audiobook. I'd rather it be divided into more chapters to re-listen to sections. It still gets 5 stars though.

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1 person found this helpful