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The Evil Genius

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About this listen

 Wilkie Collins' most financially successful novel, The Evil Genius, opens with a jury determining the fate of a sea captain whose ship allegedly facilitated a diamond theft. The story develops into a powerful novel of Victorian private life, including deception, adultery, and divorce.

An 'evil genius' is threatening to rip apart the fabric of the Linley home. Who is it and why? Is it the orphaned young governess for whom the father lusts; the brother-in-law who appears to help everyone, but often succeeds in making things worse; the meddling mother-in-law whose good-intentioned interferences lead to greater heartache; the disloyal father, or perhaps the unassuming daughter?

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I love Wilkie Collins novels but this was good story totally ruined by the narration - Dreadful accents - laughable really - a total waste of time and money. A rare dislike of an Audible book.

Dreadful

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I am a fan of Wilkie Collins and looked forward to this book. I'm afraid I found it dreadful and would not have given a star rating at all. It is not simply that the narrator is American but that he does not have the reading skills necessary to make the text 'live'. His attempts at an English accent - several different characters required - and female voices would be comic if they weren't so irritating. I've listened to Americans reading English novels before - including other Wilkie Collins' - and have not found that hindrance to enjoyment. This particular reading, however, is impossible to finish. Such a disappointment.

Reading skills

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If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I am a huge fan of Wilkie Collins and have read several other works by him but this has to be a joke!!! The American accent could be excused if it was easy on the ear but this is awful. I have listened to 2 chapters and can go no farther. Have to get this off my iPod now!

How could the performance have been better?

The narrators voice and reading skills are very poor - like primary school level poor! His accent is very hard to listen too considering this is a Victorian English novel, set in England with English characters. His attempts at English characterisation are amateur to say the least and are actually turning this novel into a comedy.

What character would you cut from The Evil Genius?

The narrator - without a doubt!

Any additional comments?

This is the second Wilkie Collins novel that has been ruined for me by poor narration. Aramadale was the other, and I persevered with it blaming my iPod, but this is unreal!!!

This has got to be a joke! The narration is awfull

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I so agree with the other reviews. I love Wilkie Collins but this version was truly dire. The reader's American voice was bad enough when reading the narration but any attempt at characterisation or accents - male or female was grim.

Awful!

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why on earth is the narrator american? totally spoils a wonderful british novel!

the evil genius - wilkie collins

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