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Black Mischief

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Black Mischief

By: Evelyn Waugh
Narrated by: Michael Maloney
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About this listen

Black Mischief, Waugh's third novel, helped to establish his reputation as a master satirist. Set on the fictional African island of Azania, the novel chronicles the efforts of Emperor Seth, assisted by the Englishman Basil Seal, to modernize his kingdom.

Profound hilarity ensues from the issuance of homemade currency, the staging of a "Birth Control Gala", the rightful ruler's demise at his own rather long and tiring coronation ceremonies and a good deal more mischief.

©1932 Evelyn Waugh (P)2015 Hachette Audio Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Satire Comedy

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Not particularly. 'Of it's time,' the story seemed a little dated (how could it not be!) but Michael Maloney gave a spirited performance, sounding reasonably convincing on the many & varied accents, though sounding less assured on the Azanian ones...somewhere in East Africa.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Thinking of character development, I would have liked a bit more of a hint as to the main protagonist's next step.

Which character – as performed by Michael Maloney – was your favourite?

Dame Mildred!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

No.

A spirited rendition

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Listened to and Read ‘Black Mischief’ after ‘A Handful of Dust’ in my exploration of Evelyn Waugh. I initially resisted this novel. It is of its time and now outdated language reflects this. (That is all though, as otherwise it feels very modern and true.) I then wondered what I was ‘in for’ during the first chapter, and then the novel ‘took-off’ with the antics of the insular well-to-do folk in England and the range of ignorant and self-interested legation staff and families. (Within this Basil Seal was at his most benign.) There comes the point when satire shades into ridicule and this is just. The contrasts between the islanders judged by one of their own in need of modernisation and the reckless powers in colonial-mode sparks humour as well as horrors, not least the fate of Prudence. Under-lying it all is Waugh’s clear depiction and understanding of place. Waugh’s ability, too, to use letters and splintered narrative is so well done and so, so funny. Dame Mildred Porch and her companion Miss Sarah Tin are joyous creations even on a hot tin roof. This novel is not a light read and has several discomforting episodes. There is no excuse that ‘they know not what they do’. Even so, it also has episodes of fizzing comic writing and energy. Michael Maloney’s performance is excellent and his character voices well chosen. His Basil and Dame Mildred are wonderful.

Funny and Shocking – More than a Comic Novel

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One of Waugh's most biting satires inspired by meeting Emperor Haile Selassie at Oxford. The reader's plummy rendition of Basil Seal is wonderful. Waugh ridicules the self-serving deluded Brits and French as much as the savage Azanians. I especially enjoyed Emperor Seth's family planning campaign which misfires badly.

A hilarious book beautifully read

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The satire on the English is mildly amusing, but Scoop is much funnier and more believable.

Try Scoop instead

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There is much more relevance in the writings of mr Waugh than you could guess, 85 years on. The political incorrectness may offend some, and yet such is the subtle humour, extraordinary characters that only he can capture, and brilliant satire that those people may find it hard to place the blame. A great narration of what cannot be an easy book to voice.

Excellent narration of a master author

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Evelyn Waugh is possibly my favourite author for his gorgeous use of language alone. In today's environment, vastly non-PC as he would be viewed now, his prose could easily land him in prison. While his novels are laced with wickedly funny and cascading aphorisms, the factual insights and pointed attacks on the snobbery of his own times are too often ignored or simply misunderstood. Worse still, his brutally witty dissection of the hypocrisy of then and now rings more true as the times "advance". Waugh is an author more worthy of the Nobel prize for literature than many lesser writers who have been honoured with it. Black Mischief is another wondrous, incisive and laugh-out-loud hilarious verbal confection from the master of the English language. A complete genius.

Linguistically stunning.

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