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Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets
Summary
On the surface, the Victorian age is one of propriety, industry, prudishness and piety. But scratch the surface and you’ll find scandal, sadism, sex, madness, malice and murder.
Presented by Stephen Fry, this series delves deep into a period of time we think we know, to discover an altogether darker reality. The stories we’re told offer a different perspective on an era which underwent massive social change. As education, trade, technology and culture blossomed, why was there an undercurrent of the ‘forbidden’ festering beneath Victorian society?
Across 12 episodes, Stephen presents a series of true accounts of the dangerous low life and debauched high life of Victorian Britain.
As an Audio Show - free for members - when you add Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets to your library, you'll get all 12 episodes, each with a runtime of about 30 minutes.
Audible Sessions with Stephen Fry
Behind the scenes with the presenter of Victorian SecretsCritic reviews
★★★★☆ (The Times)
"Scandalous bedtime storyteller Stephen Fry's new podcast bursts the image of the Victorians as prudish and pious... Debauchery, told with delicious relish." (The Guardian)
"Fantastic...[from] the ever eloquent Stephen Fry." (BBC Radio 4)
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What members say
Average customer ratings
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- Simon
- 21-10-18
The Quintessential Englishman!
Well, well, Stephen Fry appearing in Victoria(sic) Secret! Now there's an image to conjure with . . . though I am sure that even Stephen himself would agree that it's maybe not one to conjure with too long! He really is an absolute star on Audible and this is another fine series that he's helped bring to life with his narrating talents.
To suggest that the quality of this offering is based on Fry alone would be to do it a massive disservice though. This is a fascinating part of both British and world history and it's explored with a genuine relish for the subject. I was a little perturbed at first at how much the program seemed to be relying on expert contribution from US Universities but the subjects had global reach and the quality of the insight offered was excellent.
Never falling into the trap of glorifying or just simply titillating this is a very wry adult look at some of the quirkiest and at times darkest of aspects of Victorian life.
33 of 41 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jake
- 23-10-18
Fantastic book!
That was highly entertaining and insightful look at Victorian England! Stephen Fry was as usual brilliant and you could hear his passion and intrigue come across within his narration. I very much recommend this book, it is a great listen. It is also free.
15 of 19 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anastacia
- 21-10-18
Absolutely Brilliant !!!
Narrated by Stephen Fry's amazing wit and humour. A fascinating and surprising journey through Victorian Britain that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about our buttoned up, stiff upper lipped, bustle bottomed ancestors. Utterly brilliant !!!
12 of 17 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 15-11-18
Amazing
I LOVED listening to this! He really gets you involved in it! I wish there was more, its so historical but he tells it in such a fun way! I would recommend it to everyone who’s interested in the Victorian era
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anon
- 14-11-18
Fabulous!
My only criticisms - longer and more!
Very interesting and the flicks/twists popped in by Stephen Fry are masterful.
His voice is made for audio.
This is one of those things where you would say, 'you had me at hello'!!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Vickster
- 26-10-18
Fascinating look at our not too distant past
Beautifully performed, as always by Mr Fry, but also an excellent supporting cast; telling an intriguing, fascinating history of Victorian life, from the perspective of "secrets". Thoroughly recommend and wondering how folks in a couple of hundred years time would look at our society today!... So fascinating to realise - as is often the case when you study history - how you can draw the threads of the past into how we have turned out today.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kaveh
- 23-10-18
Fantastic!!!
Brilliant narration (Stephen Fry of course!), fantastic research and insight to most fascinating subjects of the era. I have never finished any audible book so quickly and enthusiastically. Please give us more!
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Markybailey
- 21-10-18
Love fhis
Just discovered today - listened to three episodes and I love this. Educating and interesting content - brought to life well by Stephen Fry and some great actors
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Avril
- 25-10-18
Brilliant!
All round great audio series! Interesting and brilliant for when you only have a short time to listen.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mr. S. ColvilleRea
- Lisburn, NI
- 10-12-18
Fun and interesting insight
Stephen Fry has a way with words. A magnificent way. These short essays on Victorian life changed my perception quite a bit.
Think documentary with re-enactments of short stories that build an overall picture of secrets and how important they were to the Victorians.
It’s not all fun, as some subjects touched upon are still relevant and present in modern societies.
I could have done without the pretence that Stephen is actually talking from Victorian Britain and some of the other actors weren’t amazing, but to be fair they have to act alongside Stephen Fry and that’s a hard task!
I’m not a history buff, I would consider myself more of a scientist, but the tone and content suited me for that reason. If you’re big in to history, I think this would be to you what pop-science is to me. Wide appeal that doesn’t quite get to the heart of the subject at hand.
If, however, you’re like me and have a passing interest, then this series is definitely for you.