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- Title: Importance of Being Earnest (Version 4)
- Author: Oscar Wilde
- Narrator: Phil Chenevert
- Length: 02:38:57
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 14/12/2016
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Audio Theatre, Drama, Classics
- ISBN13: SABLIB9787570
As someone who’s spent countless hours analyzing narrative formats from physical books to BookTok interpretations, I approached this solo audiobook version of “The Importance of Being Earnest” with both excitement and skepticism. Could a single narrator capture the sparkling social satire and razor-sharp wit that makes Wilde’s masterpiece so enduring? Let’s break this down…
“The Cultural Impact Here Is…”
Wilde’s 1895 play remains shockingly relevant in our era of curated social media personas. The central joke about fabricated identities (‘Bunburying’ as Algernon calls it) hits differently when we all maintain multiple online selves. Listening to this during my morning commute, I found myself chuckling at how Wilde’s Victorian social climbers would have been phenomenal Instagram influencers.
“Narrator Performance: A One-Person Showcase”
Phil Chenevert takes on the Herculean task of voicing all characters – from the imperious Lady Bracknell to the lovesick Cecily. His performance shines brightest in:
– The rapid-fire epigram exchanges between Algernon and Jack
– Lady Bracknell’s iconic ‘handbag’ line delivery
– The contrast between Gwendolen’s polished tones and Cecily’s rural innocence
While I missed the vocal variety of full-cast recordings (like those stunning LibriVox dramatic versions mentioned in the description), Chenevert’s comedic timing helps compensate. His reading of Wilde’s stage directions adds delightful meta-commentary – a smart choice that plays to the strengths of solo narration.
“Audio Quality & Accessibility”
The recording quality is clean though clearly amateur (this is LibriVox after all). At just under 2 hours 40 minutes, it’s a perfect bite-sized classic. The cultural impact here is significant – making this satire freely available aligns beautifully with Wilde’s own subversive spirit. I particularly appreciated having this loaded on my phone during a recent flight delay; Wilde’s wit proved the perfect antidote to travel frustrations.
“Where It Stumbles”
Some character transitions feel abrupt, especially in crowded scenes. The female voices occasionally blend together, which matters in a play where vocal distinction reveals class differences. For first-time Wilde listeners, I’d recommend following along with the text during Algernon and Jack’s more convoluted schemes.
“Personal Connection”
This experience reminded me of my podcast episode dissecting different “Project Hail Mary” formats. Just as audio uniquely conveyed that book’s alien language, hearing Wilde performed – even solo – reveals rhythmic nuances I’d missed in silent reading. The famous ‘bread and butter’ debate between Gwendolen and Cecily becomes even funnier when vocalized.
“Final Verdict”
For Wilde newcomers: A delightful free introduction. For devotees: An interesting experiment in solo performance. While not replacing full-cast versions, Chenevert’s reading offers fresh perspective on this comedy of manners. The audio theatre elements transform Wilde’s words from page to performance, preserving that crucial ‘live’ feeling essential to comedy.
Stay witty and keep disrupting those social norms, my friends!
Sophie Bennett
