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- Title: Way of All Flesh
- Author: Samuel Butler
- Narrator: Rhonda Federman
- Length: 18:00:32
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2016
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Comedy, Satire & Parody
- ISBN13: SABLIB9783248
There’s something deliciously subversive about listening to Victorian satire in 2024 – especially when it’s as sharply relevant as Samuel Butler’s “The Way of All Flesh”. This LibriVox audiobook, narrated by Rhonda Federman, delivers Butler’s posthumously published masterpiece with all its biting wit intact, creating an audio experience that feels both historically significant and startlingly contemporary.
“”The Audio Time Machine Effect””
Federman’s narration immediately struck me with its perfect balance of period authenticity and modern clarity. She captures Butler’s sardonic tone without ever slipping into caricature – no small feat when dealing with a novel that ruthlessly exposes Victorian hypocrisy. I found myself pausing multiple times during my morning commute to replay particularly savage passages, marveling at how Butler’s 19th century observations about religious hypocrisy and oppressive family structures could feel so applicable to modern influencer culture and performative wokeness.
“”A Bildungsroman for the Podcast Age””
What makes this audiobook experience special is how it transforms Butler’s semi-autobiographical novel into something more immediate. When Ernest Pontifex describes his Calvinist upbringing, Federman’s subtle vocal shifts make you feel the psychological weight in a way that silent reading might not convey. It reminded me of my BookTok experiment comparing text versus audio for “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” – how vocal inflection can reveal character depths that our eyes might skim over.
“”Satire That Still Stings””
Butler’s takedown of Victorian institutions – from the church to the education system to family dynamics – lands with particular force in audio format. The scene where young Ernest is punished for childish mistakes becomes almost unbearable to hear, with Federman’s restrained delivery making the emotional abuse more visceral. It’s a brilliant example of how audiobooks can intensify our emotional connection to classic literature.
“”Narration Nuances””
Federman makes smart choices throughout:
– She differentiates characters just enough without resorting to distracting voices
– Her pacing allows Butler’s complex sentences room to breathe
– She nails the ironic tone that makes the satire so effective
That said, listeners used to full-cast productions might find the single-narrator approach less dynamic. And while the LibriVox recording is clean, it lacks the polish of studio-produced audiobooks – though considering it’s free, that’s hardly a fair criticism.
“”Why This Matters Now””
In our era of curated social media personas and ideological performativity, Butler’s exposure of societal hypocrisy feels painfully relevant. Listening to Ernest’s journey from indoctrination to self-discovery, I kept thinking about modern parallels – how many of us are still breaking free from inherited belief systems, just with different vocabulary.
“”The Verdict””
This audiobook offers:
✅ A masterclass in Victorian satire that still resonates
✅ Nuanced narration that enhances the text
✅ Free access to a literary classic
It might challenge listeners who:
❌ Prefer fast-paced modern narratives
❌ Need high-production audio values
❌ Want straightforward storytelling (Butler’s digressions require attention)
For digital natives exploring classic literature, this audiobook provides the perfect bridge – the timelessness of great writing made immediate through skilled narration. It’s particularly valuable for anyone interested in the roots of modern skepticism or the psychology of belief systems.
“”Final Tip:”” Listen to this alongside contemporary critiques of institutional power – the throughlines will astonish you. I found myself creating a playlist alternating chapters with episodes of podcasts like “Maintenance Phase” and “You’re Wrong About”, creating this fascinating dialogue across centuries about how systems shape (and often break) individuals.
Stay curious and keep disrupting those narratives,
Sophie
Sophie Bennett
