VANITY FAIR

Although all the characters in Thackeray’s famous “novel without a hero” ultimately disappoint in terms of heroic attributes, they provide a telling view of Victorian high society. Georgina Sutton’s colorful narration provides an enjoyable medium for listeners to experience this literary classic. She masters the irony of the author’s narrative voice with careful attention to his intonation. Her vocal characterizations are skillful. She creates the kindly lisping voice of Dobbin with as much ease as the sinister cadence of Lord Steyne. The character of Becky Sharp is as dynamic in Sutton’s reading as she is in upper society. Witty, cutting, and ingratiating in tone, Sutton’s portrayal ably captures this society darling. While addressing the nuances of Thackeray’s prose, Sutton produces an entertaining trip through a metaphorical “vanity fair.” D.M.W. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2013]