A Rogue's Life

By: Wilkie Collins

Narrated by: Bernard Mayes

This delightful tale of thwarted ambition and forbidden love follows the adventures and fortunes of an endearing young rogue, Frank Softly. Originally serialized in Household Words in 1859, Rogue is one of Collins's most richly comic creations.

Propelled into society by his ever-hopeful father, Frank is introduced to a variety of professions in order to make his fortune. Not industrious by nature, however, Frank finds working life a challenge, and by his 25th birthday, he has failed medicine, portrait-painting, caricaturing, and even forgery. Disenchanted with life, he despairs of ever finding something to commit to — until he meets Alicia Dulcifer and her inexplicably wealthy father.

Proffering his own take on picaresque storytelling — and with many a grain of truth for 20-somethings today — this is Wilkie Collins at his entertaining best.

(P)2000 Blackstone Audio Inc

Very Droll

Sometimes so much so that one is put in mind of the TV character Buzz Killington. Nonetheless, there are giggles to be had here. It would have been better if the author had used more "showing" and less telling. It is in "journal" form more than fictional form (dialogue, rich details, etc.) For good droll British humor, George Grossman's TALES OF A NOBODY is better.

A Lot Of Fun!!

This story is simply delightful and fun. You can't help but be entertained by the path and career choices of the main character Frank. Pleasantly amoral, he gets into one scrape after another and always land of his feet but never for long. This is Wilkie Collins at his comical best! Like is very good friend Charles Dickens, Collins would write any genre brilliantly. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

some laugh--out-loud passages

The story, overall humorous, has a few dry spells, and some overwriting, as was common in novels if this period, but I enjoyed it. There are a number if LOL moments that are priceless!

Funny story.

I highly recommend this novella, I promise you’ll have lots of fun while reading it.

One Twisting, Turning, Fun Book!

This is a fun book! Having recently finished The Moonstone and The Lady in White (several times), I thought I had a handle on Mr. Wilkie Collins' style and subject matter. Was I ever so wrong. This book is written as if autobiographical as he looks back on his well meaning and hard-working youthful self who just couldn't get things to work out. He stumbled out of one career and scrape into another with sometimes alarming frequency. He got tossed out of the house by his family, thrown into debtor's prison, took up forging old masters paintings. Then he meets his dream woman, lost her, had to search the country for her, then his life really took a turn for the unexpected and sometimes bizarre. The author writes in a matter-of-fact, self-deprecating manner about the most trying turn of events and dramatic setbacks. The narrator, Bernard Mayes, is splendid. I wouldn't characterize his style as BBC World Service where the most catastrophic events are reported as calmly and detached as possible but it is something of that nature. In any case, Mr. Mayes is perfect for A Rogue's Life.

Rogue Trip

Though admittedly dangerous company in real life, from the safe distance of the page or earbuds, a rogue is irresistible. And, unlike Barry Lyndon, S. F. Ukridge or Dortmunder, Frank Softly is—or at least seems to be—a self-confessed, self-deprecating rogue, which only makes him more attractive.

We start by marveling at his nonchalance in the face of family displeasure and disinheritance. We raise our eyebrows at his natural aptitude for various criminal enterprises. We can’t help but half admire his invention and ingenuity. Finally, we (kinda-sorta) start rooting for him. “It’s a bold thing to say” opines our hero,” but nothing will ever persuade me that society has not a sneaking kindness for a rogue”.

A measure of the excellence of the entertainment on offer here is the fact that, despite a rather shopworn recording, I persisted in listening. I suggest you do the same; Bernard Mayes’ performance is well worth the effort. By the time our antihero is disowned by his family (chapter 2 or 3, I think), you won’t even notice that tinny sibilance.

Extremely enjoyable!

Excellent narration, fun story. You just have to get a kick out of old English comedy. Loved it!

Lots of fun!

Ironic and adventurous- the “never say die” almost Pollyanna-ish attitude of the character as he gets himself in and out of scrapes is a joy to listen to.

How to Fail at Absolutely Everything and Still

This was a very nice listen, the narrator does a great job of portraying the characters.

Fun romp

I read it on a whim. It’s enjoyable but if you are only going to read one Wilkie Collins, this ain’t it 😊