Gripping

Quite excellent edit of the novel that really captures the energy of the story. It’s all the letters of the various parties so action is very much off stage, quite like a Greek play. West is stellar.

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Deliciously wicked dramatisation

This dramatisation from the cast of the Donmar production is worth listening to for Janet McTeer alone. Her Marquise de Merteuil was incredible. Sensual, scathing, scandalous. If you are new to Laclos, this is a great place to start. I read an English translation many years ago and loved it, but this version brought it to life for me. It has left me wanting to read the original, and i'll be purchasing it after finishing the review (yes, i'm THAT enthused).

It seems to me that Laclos' work has a real modern relevance. We live in a society in which a person is still judged on their sexual self. Whether that be the sexual preference they claim, how they go about their romantic/sexual lives, or how their sexuality is displayed to others. People still talk of 'conquest' over another, if not always using that specific word, the idea is the same. We have online sites for showcasing clips of sexual acts unknowingly filmed, for revenge porn, for rating the attractiveness and 'easiness' of others. 'Slut' and 'whore' are judgment terms that still have real power. Perhaps the men reading this will correct me if i'm wrong, but I don't think there are words used with the same derision for male behaviour, even 'manwhore' and 'male slut' are not without positive connotations, part of male banter. This has been my experience of male-female heterosexual relations, and I wonder how these themes are played out within the homosexual or trans communities. Without a doubt, external, societal judgment is still evident.

For this reason, the most significant character has always been, for me, La Marquise de Merteuil. Valmont, the rake, the seducer, the ruiner of women is a male character so often done, before and since, as to be stereotypical. La Marquise, on the other hand, demands to be his equal, or even better: in manipulation, in deceit, in pursuit of pleasure. She makes precisely this point. His machinations, his successes, are all the more easy because of his gender, and the resulting freedoms it accords him.

In any case, I love this format in literature. Private letters dispatched at cross purposes allows for an intriguing and amusing insight into character; what they say to one person and hide from another, virtuous and indignant here, debauched and desirous there. An excellent reflection of the multitude of selves we all hold.

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6 people found this helpful

Wonderful performance

Bravo! What a magnificent performance by the main protagonists. They were well supported by an excellent cast. This is a first class production. I was enthralled and totally absorbed by it. Wonderful!

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Superb

So well narrated and such a good story if somewhat unpleasant subject. I loved the film with Close and Markovich and this was equally as good - and for free.

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Gorgeous, heartbreaking and salutary

I was so disappointed when I missed the live-streaming of the play but, now, I have it forever and I am so grateful. I wouldn't have missed these performances for the world.

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1 person found this helpful

Classic tale of seduction, jealousy and revenge

Having watched and read various versions of this classic story, it was about time to listen to the original. Hands down, nothing beats this version - a far worse outcome than some of the other depictions. A definite cautionary tale of the consequences of the games that people play with each other.

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1 person found this helpful

Insightful

Great introduction to the full version of the audio book. The cast are perfect for the roles.

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loved it!

McTeer and West are sublime as the Marquise and the Viscount and it's a great abridged version. Very well done.

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Gorgeous, dramatic adaptation with superb cast

West and Andoh are perfectly cast as the arch aristocratic villains in this richly nuanced and snappily paced full-cast dramatisation. The layers of changing voices, true to the letter form of the original novel, make for a refreshing, energising listen: it’s ambitiously varied, beautifully delivered, and thoroughly entertaining.

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Excellent

Excellent story and the narration was very good that added drama to the story too.

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