Undermajordomo Minor cover art

Undermajordomo Minor

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Undermajordomo Minor

By: Patrick deWitt
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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About this listen

Lucien (Lucy) Minor is the resident odd duck in the bucolic hamlet of Bury. Friendless and loveless, he is a compulsive liar and a weakling. When Lucy accepts employment assisting the majordomo of the remote, foreboding castle of the Baron Von Aux, he meets thieves, madmen, aristocrats, and a puppy.

Thus begins a tale of polite theft, bitter heartbreak, domestic mystery and cold-blooded murder....

©2015 Patrick deWitt (P)2015 W F Howes Ltd Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Heartfelt Comedy

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Critic reviews

"Confirms deWitt as one of the most talented young writers around." ( Sunday Times on The Sisters Brothers)
"Wonderfully funny and original." ( Spectator on The Sisters Brothers)
All stars
Most relevant
it took me a while to get into the book at first as I couldn't connect with the central character Lucy, perhaps because he himself was so adrift and disconnected. Gradually , the story sucked me in. The formality of the language at first irritated me but it suits the timeless , slightly magical feel of the story.

A strange but involving tale.

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Would you try another book written by Patrick deWitt or narrated by Simon Prebble?

No it was a bit too strange and not very wonderful. I guess S.P. done his best.

Did Undermajordomo Minor inspire you to do anything?

no ..I just stuck with it to the end . its now gone !

Any additional comments?

it was a silly tail with not much to it ,didn't like the ending . never mind someone out there will enjoy it.

Strange tale..

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After Ablutions and Sisters Brothers I was excited, then became progressively more disappointed as I read, then expectant again believing I was being set up for some marvellously contrasting event, then curious, then questioning again. Eventually I found myself wishing I could call Patrick and ask; Why did you do this? Is it an early story that you feel you can now publish? Or were you trying to avoid sensationalism and uniqueness in your writing as a discipline, a personal challenge to write of the ordinary more beautifully than of the beautiful? Were you looking down on your happy place? A world you withdraw to?

The thing is though that I am still thinking about this story and this place. I think we all have our own imaginary places and they often have Easts and Wests and mountains and snow and train carriages with compartments, where we can live simple lives without our everyday distractions while we keep the machine turning and where we are not frustrated by our place in the world.

I once wrote of my own land one day while bored at work, which was similar geographically with mountains and snow, and with a kind encouraging and benevolent ruler who believed in self development for all. Unfortunately I was unable to achieve this as my boss didn't share these views, being from the mean crappy kingdom next door.

My review title does not mean I am trying to decide the title, it means I am still, and will be for some time, thinking about this story.

I am still thinking about it

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Great, funny, creepy, very well narrated. And worth it for the dinner party scene alone :)

A very enjoyable tale

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At once deWitt's voice echoes the works of Dahl in its rich and varied portrayal of one boy's journey to find and keep a hold of love. A cast of characters emerge from an idyllic landscape full of bloodlust and sex. Just like are Sisters Brothers, the experience is unique, the story bold and understated. Great to listen to on walks.

A rich and fun experience incredibly well read.

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