The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon, Esq.


Read by mb

(4.5 stars; 26 reviews)

First published as a serial in Fraser's Magazine in 1844 as The Luck of Barry Lyndon, The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon, Esq is a picaresque novel, narrated (occasionally charmingly, always unreliably) by a member of the 18th-century Irish gentry. Redmond Barry, later Barry Lyndon, describes his rise to - and inevitable fall from - the top of the English aristocracy. Romantic, military and political intrigue, as well as satire and pathos, follow. Editorial notes, courtesy of Thackeray's fictitious alter ego, G. S. FitzBoodle, interject further levels of irony, humour and detachment.

Thackeray, who based the novel in part on the life and exploits of the Anglo-Irish rake and fortune-hunter Andrew Robinson Stoney, among other historical sources, significantly revised and reissued the book in 1856 under its current title.

Its unreliable, morally dubious narrator, metafictional editor, and multiple layers of interpretive possibility make it a fascinating precursor to the modern novel, while Thackeray's characteristic interest in the specifics of 18th-century life ensures a rich and engaging backdrop.

In 1975, Stanley Kubrick adapted the book for his film Barry Lyndon, since widely regarded as one of the finest films ever made.

This audiobook was read from a 1902 edition edited by Walter Jerrold, who provides a brief introduction. - Summary by mb (13 hr 49 min)

Chapters

A Bibliographical Note by Walter Jerrold (1865 - 1929) 8:38 Read by mb
Chapter 1, part 1 36:29 Read by mb
Chapter 1, part 2 31:17 Read by mb
Chapter 2 38:00 Read by mb
Chapter 3 35:01 Read by mb
Chapter 4 25:41 Read by mb
Chapter 5 39:07 Read by mb
Chapter 6 44:03 Read by mb
Chapter 7 30:10 Read by mb
Chapter 8 19:32 Read by mb
Chapter 9 34:07 Read by mb
Chapter 10 44:30 Read by mb
Chapter 11 22:56 Read by mb
Chapter 12 51:25 Read by mb
Chapter 13 46:05 Read by mb
Chapter 14 30:50 Read by mb
Chapter 15 36:03 Read by mb
Chapter 16 42:55 Read by mb
Chapter 17 55:37 Read by mb
Chapter 18 1:07:22 Read by mb
Chapter 19, part 1 32:41 Read by mb
Chapter 19, part 2 56:38 Read by mb

Reviews

Inveterate Scoundrel


(4 stars)

Barry Lyndon is quite the repugnant fellow, narcissistic and misogynistic. Thackeray had a laugh up his lace-edged sleeve with this deeply flawed character as protagonist. Kubrick’s luscious screenplay did a great deal of glossing over Barry’s full nature and literally breathed new breath into interest for this story. The narrator’s reading inflections made Barry as likable as possible, all the while with a distinctive tonal timbre.

mb is Absolutely Stunning


(5 stars)

Oh. And the book was pretty good too. What an excellent experience the reader, mb, has made of this epic story. Thank you, mb, whoever you are for the incredible talent and passion you being to the art of the written word.

a great book (and movie)


(5 stars)

hats off to the reader, a great and impassioned job.


(5 stars)

Excellent narration of this old classic! 😊

Very good book read very well!


(5 stars)