Beat the Devil

By: David Hare, Donald Katz - Introduction

Narrated by: David Hare

Length: 1 hr and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

In the spring of 2020, as the world grappled with the deepening coronavirus pandemic, acclaimed British screenwriter and playwright David Hare was struck down by the virus himself.

With brutal honesty, sharp humor, and his trademark insight, the renowned writer of modern classics like Skylight and Plenty brings us into his own experience battling the bizarre and terrifying symptoms of Covid-19. But Hare's masterful storytelling transforms his personal odyssey into a universal reckoning on life's fragility and preciousness–and the shared trauma we must grapple with in the virus’s aftermath.

Originally premiered at the Bridge Theatre in London in August 2020, this searing monologue was the first production to proudly reopen the West End to theatergoers after lockdown. Now, this powerful solo performance comes to Audible with a special introduction from Audible Founder Don Katz, allowing listeners to intimately experience one of our era's preeminent creative voices as he ruminates on mortality, resilience, and love.

Audio includes an exclusive interview with Don Katz and David Hare at the end of the program.

©2024 David Hare (P)2024 AO Media, LLC

My first experience with David Hare

It was excellent and now I want to read and see everything David Hare has done. I wish I knew someone to discuss him with and intelligent books in general.

BBC Radio for the win

Captures the “feels” of how we managed to survive a global pandemic by sheer luck and reminds us of lessons best not forgotten.

Loved the actual story, not the extra commentary

I think the story stands on its own. I would have rather the extra commentary be left to maybe a separate interview or something. I would have just like the story on its own. But that was great. I think it was very interesting pov and very insightful.

Wonderful

I found this not only interesting but entertaining. I found how lucky I was to not have Covid to the extent that David experienced.

An intimate experience shared and clearly understood by the listener

Contextually vivid and interesting for those who wish to understand the British experience of COVID-19. I have a friend who was a nurse at the time in England and the descriptions she made match those of the author.

Excellent reminder of the horror of Covid

I hear people say are you better off today than 4 years ago. There is this collective amnesia of one of the most horrific events to hit the world, and the bumbling incompetence of some of our country’s leaders (in my case Trump) to handle this. Ohh I remember clearly the confusion of the populations, and the lack of leadership making Covid in the USA a disaster. So much to learn from to prepare and prevent the next chaotic possibility.
Thank you Audible and David Hare for this wonderfully illuminating work of art. 🖼️

Don’t waste your time

Covid is so dated and this story wasn’t a unique perspective didn’t add anything new. It was free and a quick listen but nothing I’d recommend or listen to again.

The narration and impactful personal retelling of experience

Hare narrates his own account of beating the 'devil', COVID-19, and how it transformed the way we look at the world. It's personal, and yet addresses the entire planet, because he talks about something that touched and impacted everyone in the world in a direct or indirect way. We didn't come out of it the same. 

I myself compare the feeling of those months as if an army of Dementors had sucked the soul out of living Earth, and as we healed after, we had an entirely new existence it seemed. 

David Hare's insight, and careful use of words make the play even more effective and hard hitting. The narration is impeccable. It's a quick read/listen and you feel an evocative manner in the narration, like one's own feelings are expressed on a larger stage, in a comprehensive delivery. He talks about life's fragility and uncertainty and how a single event in history can alter our understanding of everything around us. 

Honest

Refreshing and ever so real
Thanks for sharing. yout experience with us You nailed the resonances of my country and the UK.

Masterful weave of the personal and political

David Hare shares a story that seems to be about him and pulls off the trick of making it the story of a nation and the need to fight on microscopic and macroscopic levels.