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Skios

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Skios

By: Michael Frayn
Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
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On the sunlit Greek island of Skios, the Fred Toppler Foundation's annual lecture is to be given by Dr Norman Wilfred, the world-famous authority on the scientific organisation of science. He turns out to be young and charming - not at all the intimidating figure they had been expecting. The Foundation's guests are soon eating out of his hand. So is Nikki, the attractive and efficient organiser.

Meanwhile, in a remote villa at the other end of the island, Nikki's old school-friend Georgie waits for the notorious chancer she has rashly agreed to go on holiday with, who has characteristically failed to turn up. Trapped in the villa with her, by an unfortunate chain of misadventure, is a balding old gent called Dr Norman Wilfred, who has lost his whereabouts, his luggage, his temper, and his sense of reality - everything he possesses apart from the flyblown text of a well-travelled lecture on the scientific organisation of science...

©2012 Michael Frayn (P)2012 AudioGO Ltd Literature & Fiction Satire Comedy Funny Witty
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As I listened to this I found myself drawn into what, at first sight, was a fairly superficial farce. However, I was reacting to what was happening to the characters; it had an unexpected depth that I cannot explain except that it is very well written and narrated, Martin Jarvis's style being an ideal match. The author switches scenes at the approach of every climactic moment and although rather predictable, by the end, I was able to sit back mentally and enjoy it It was not laugh-out-loud but was fun to listen to and, although at times I was impatient to hear what happened next, I would not want it abbreviated. .

A complex mixture

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I like Michael Frayn and loved Spies but maybe I wasn't in the mood for the this. Humour is a strange and personal thing. It's a well written farce but it only made me smile a couple of times and sometimes, especially at the beginning, I found it irritating and over long. Martin Jarvis, though, can always be relied on as a great reader and is as good as usual here.

Depends on your mood?

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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I had read a few reviews with regards to this book. Martin Jarvis is an excellent narrator and one I like to follow. Alas this book does not do his talents any good. The story about a professor had arrived in Skios to make a speech. It was this man who's luggage went missing. The events that followed where to say the least bizarre. Anyone with half a wit would have it sorted in minutes.
The person who had his luggage got away with imitating him. This really does not look good on any P.A.
This book was very disappointing.

What will your next listen be?

The second book that Elizabeth Chadwick has written in the Greatest Knight series; The Red Lion?

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No

Disappointing

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Really good, Rompaey, kind of story, but beautifully written.
Martin Jarvis delivered a perfectly wonderful performance

Funny

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In less skilled hands this might be dismissed as chicklit escapism, but Michael Frayn's superbly clever plotting and Martin Jarvis's pitch-perfect delivery offer delights throughout.

Sunny funny warm waspish treat.

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