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The Radetzky March

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The Radetzky March

By: Michael Hofmann - translator, Joseph Roth
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

The Radetzky March is a meditation on the Austro-Hungarian Empire through the prism of three generations of the Trotta family. The novel opens in 1859 at the Battle of Solferino, when the young Lieutenant Trotta saves the life of the Emperor and is ennobled. He owes the Empire everything, and his son also becomes a conscientious servant of the great multinational state even as it enters into its period of chaos, with competing nationalisms and ideologies tearing it apart.

The final generation of Trottas cannot comprehend or survive the collapse of the Empire, which no longer has any purchase on reality. Beginning at the moment when the Habsburg dominions began to crumble, and ending at the moment when the old Emperor's body is finally entombed in the vault of Capuchins in Vienna, the narrative arc of Roth's novel is perfectly judged. However, it is Roth's intelligent compassion and ironic sense of history that confer on The Radetzky March its greatness.

©2002 English translation by Michael Hofmann (P)2024 W. F. Howes Ltd. Classics Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Witty
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This is one of my favourite books of the era, and the translation and narration is excellent. The narrator really captures the spirit of the book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking on purchasing this audiobook.

The Radetzky March

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It is a powerful observation of the decline of the Austrian/Hungarian empire described through the life and times of the Trotta family. The characters are not easily likeable or for that matter, desperately interesting, but Roth tells a story of persuasive ordinariness that demands attention. It illuminates a period of history and social style that is also demanding of our time. I am new to Roth but enjoyed my first appreciation of his writing. I recommend it warmly.

Worth the effort!

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Epic inter generational story in the best traditions of zweig, Mann and Tolstoy intertwined with sadness and humour

Sublime

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Loved this book! I recommend listening to the music of the title before you begin, just to place this novel in it's very evocative setting. The characters are also very engaging. Well written with excellent narration.

Great read, brilliantly narrated.

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