A Fatal Inversion

Having read this at least twice in print form and watched the BBC TV adaptation, it was great to hear the unabridged audiobook. The story, set in rural Suffolk and London back in the long hot summer of 1976 and ten years on in the mid-late 1980s was brilliant to explore and the attention to detail was amazing. That said, the majority of the characters were pretty loathsome.

The narrator, William Gaminara was extremely accomplished and performed a wide selection of characters with aplomb.

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Fantastic

A brilliant story, well worth it!! Great plot twist and well read. I’m off to find another 😀

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masterly narrative

rendell's command of narrative technique is astonishing here, every bit as worthy as Philip Roth's novels. masterly. and a terrific story.

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Confusing

I lost the will to live with this book. One minute in the present next minute with no warning in the past. I wasn’t into the story after chapter 3, not persevered as I like to finish what I start.

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Layers of story never fail to intrigue

This has been a favourite book of mine for decades and my most recommended ever. I have read and re read it but still I was delighted to hear it on audible as an included choice. Again I loved it and felt the narration was excellent, offering this in a new dimension. My only slight gripe is that I didn’t like the narrator’s take on Zoe’s voice, she sounded like a cranky!

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Good story

Good story but goes from ten years ago to storyline present day without a break, making it very confusing. Also some stilted language I don’t know anyone who calls a nappy a napkin even in 76 or 86.

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Great story but narration no good for me

I love this novel, read it first as a young adult and it resonated, the characters weren’t likeable but their predicament was involving, I found parts of it darkly funny, and the narrator’s voice was great company.

Not so this time round, the narrator can certainly ‘do’ a posh voice and Adam and Rufus, and Shiva, were convincing, as was Mary Gage; I could live with Lily, although her full-on Indian accent was far from the south-Asian lilt described in the book, but my god, poor Zosie. We are told that she looks like a beautiful illustration of a fairy girl, but in this narrator’s mouth she sounds like Baldrick. It’s not the first time I’ve been enjoying an audiobook very much only to switch off in disgust when the first working class character to be voiced sounds gormless (I’m looking at you, Little Dorrit). Perhaps it’s unfair to expect every voice to be spot on, in such a polyphonic work, but I’m sensitive to the sound of working class people being patronised, and that’s how this came across to me.

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Fatal Inversion

Interesting story. Slightly old fashioned In style. Rather a strange and, to me, uncomfortable ending.

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Very hard to follow

Great story fantastically written & read. Horrible people being horrible.

Editing is unfortunate. Not even the slightest pause when jumping between timelines. If you're confused, rewind and get your bearings again!

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I'd never heard about the coypou problem!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I adored this. It was so atmospheric of a hot summer. The characters represented all varieties of life!! Particularly the dark side and the survival instinct.
I didn't guess the end either which is fab.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Fatal Inversion?

The realisation of who the murder victims were.

Which character – as performed by William Gaminara – was your favourite?

I couldn't pick one as the narrator was exceptional

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh yes!!!

Any additional comments?

One of my 1at Vine or Rendell listens and it's made me seek out more.

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