VILE BODIES

Waugh's 1930 satire of between-the-wars English society, especially of "bright young things" living a less-than-moral high life, is essentially a screwball comedy, but cynical and mean-spirited rather than frothy or whimsical. Three voices narrate, a male narrator and one reader each for the male and female characters. All three voices are attractive, and the acting—especially by Emilia Fox, playing the females—is generally excellent. The differentiation of voices in dialogue, usually done by age, class, and accent, is also good, although occasionally Tobias Menzies, playing the males, fails to differentiate two characters of similar background. The reading is lively, striking the right notes of giddy sophistication, heartlessness, and befuddlement. It's a fine performance of this sprightly, misanthropic little book. W.M. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2009]