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Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets

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Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets

By: Stephen Fry, John Woolf, Nick Baker

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About this listen

On the surface, the Victorian age is one of propriety, industry, prudishness and piety. But scratch the surface and you’ll find scandal, sadism, sex, madness, malice and murder.

Presented by Stephen Fry, this series delves deep into a period of time we think we know, to discover an altogether darker reality. The stories we’re told offer a different perspective on an era which underwent massive social change. As education, trade, technology and culture blossomed, why was there an undercurrent of the ‘forbidden’ festering beneath Victorian society?

Across 12 episodes, Stephen presents a series of true accounts of the dangerous low life and debauched high life of Victorian Britain.

This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 12 episodes to your Library now.

©2018 Audible, Ltd. (P)2018 Audible, Ltd.

Europe

Great Britain

We meet a Victorian woman who had more victims than Jack the Ripper, who killed people who were her nearest and supposedly dearest. She took out insurances on her close relatives, then she killed them, and then she moved on and started anew, elsewhere.

We meet a Victorian woman who had more victims than Jack the Ripper, who killed people who were her nearest and supposedly dearest. She took out insurances on her close relatives, then she killed them, and then she moved on and started anew, elsewhere.

In March 1849 former slave Henry Brown, travelled from Virginia to find his freedom in Philadelphia. His method of travel? A box, around three feet long and two feet wide sent via private mail.

Oscar Jennings believed that one in four medical men were addicted to morphine in the 1890s. A lot of opium addiction was a result of the medical profession and their prescriptions.

Infants who were considered to be damaged at birth might be subjected to special ‘treatments’ such as the ‘Animal Bath’. These treatments included the slaughter of hares, where the still warm animal was wrapped around the deformity, the aim being that the strength of the wild animal would somehow transfer to the child.

There was a growing fear of being buried alive. Tales of moanings from graveyards, the insides of coffin lids being scratched and dented by the demented undead…even births of children in coffins haunted the Victorians.

The beard question was an important one for Victorian men. The pro-bread movement believed that beards could help prevent colds by filtering out the germs from the air, or could be draped over the head in the summer to be used as a parasol.

Critic reviews

★★★★☆ (The Times)

"Scandalous bedtime storyteller Stephen Fry's new podcast bursts the image of the Victorians as prudish and pious... Debauchery, told with delicious relish." (The Guardian)

"Fantastic...[from] the ever eloquent Stephen Fry." (BBC Radio 4)

Audible Sessions with Stephen Fry

Behind the scenes with the presenter of Victorian Secrets

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Stephen Fry’s delivery was spot on as always but I had to constantly rewind the audiobook because I was distracted by the background music. I say “background”; if only it were! Nothing wrong with it per se; just too damned LOUD.

Tinnitus was more acceptable than the loud music

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Stephen Fry is wonderful at narrating this series of interesting tales from the Victorian period. Well supported by a talented cast and experts the listener is transported to a hidden part of our history which, I for one, thoroughly enjoyed 👍🏻

Excellent and Informative

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The reviews about the music in the background being annoying weren’t really the case for me
I love the stories and Fry’s reading was superb

Loved it

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Steven Fry leads you on a exciting journey of murder, mystery and suspense. It’s amazing anyone got out alive during the Victorian era.

Well worth listening to in the car on long journeys.

Educating and entertaining

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Thoroughly enjoyed this series a combination Stephen Fry as well as experts on the subjects shining light on the hidden world of the Victorians.

Very enlightening and entertaining

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A brilliant insight into Victorian life. Great narration from Stephen Fry too. Would thoroughly recommend.

Brilliant

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I’ve grown very fond of this series of audible essays in the secretive victorians. The first chapter wasn’t so hot but the subsequent chapters are a delight and not only enlighten my understanding of Victorian Britain but it gives great insight into modern times and our current society.

Steph Fry is even more witty and engaging than usual and I’ve become a real fan of his narration style, he’s a born narrator and teller of bedtime stories.

Entertaining and enlightening

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Fascinating insights .A glimpse behind the velvet drapes of Victorian society. Told impeccably by Stephen Fry with one raised eyebrow and accompanying wry smile . Left me wanting to learn more about the people depicted in this series.

So many wonderful stories.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this! Really fascinating insight into Victorian life and wonderfully told by Mr. Fry!

Fascinating!

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Love Fry but his content and delivery are completely overshadowed by plinky plonky dreadful piano music that never ever stops and is often too loud and always very distracting. The production has ruined good narration although the subject matters chosen are also weird and and don’t really make sense when run concurrently. Plus, the tales make strange choices anyway.

All in all a very odd and disappointing book. The only reason it garnered one star was that it’s free and it’s Stephen Fry. DON’T waste your time even if this remains free.

Dreadful

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