Point Counter Point

By: Aldous Huxley

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

“Everybody strains after happiness, and the result is that nobody’s happy.”

In music, counterpoint is the art of writing melodies that play in conjunction with one another, according to a strict set of rules, in order to emphasize the melody by contrast. In debate, point/counterpoint is a means of persuasion in which the speaker begins by conceding to their opponent’s argument before refuting it wholeheartedly. Aldous Huxley follows these traditions in his masterpiece Point Counter Point. The polarity between passion and reason in the intellectual life of the 1920s is demonstrated both in form and in theme in Huxley’s ambitious satire: This complex novel darts around points of view to portray the convoluted nature of perception versus reality, and it boasts a large cast of characters that come together, almost as an orchestra, performing separate melodies that come together in one great symphony. Not only do these characters serve such a musical purpose in the plot, they also represent real life writers who were popular at the time, such as D. H. Lawrence, Katherine Mansfield, John Middleton Murry, and even Huxley himself (in the form of Phillip Quarles, the “novelist” within the novel).

Point Counter Point was named one of “100 Best Works of the 20th Century” by Modern Library.

Originally published in 1928.

Public Domain (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

finally - another classic from Huxley

I've been waiting for this audiobook for a long time. Stefan Rudnicki does a fine job as always with this reading. The constant philosophical conversations in "Point Counter Point" yield some extraordinary results, a sweeping exploration of spiritual turmoil in the 1920s - and it's fascinating to finally explore the novel that Huxley wrote immediately prior to "Brave New World."

I only wish there were more audiobooks of Huxley's novels (many are still missing - why? - including "Those Barren Leaves," "Eyeless in Gaza," "After Many a Summer," "Time Must Have Stop," and "Ape and Essence"). Many examples of non-fiction could also be narrated. I feel this is important because Huxley's writings beyond "Brave New World" need to be known; it's fascinating, and it helps in appreciating that novel more.

Early Huxley

Point Counterpoint was an early Huxley tour-de-force. Various characters of the age are represented in the storyline. Its funny, satirical, and very well written. Not so enthusiastic about the narration...

Early A. Huxley philosophy

Long and complicated but not really complex. This shows some of the signs of early human potential Vrs divinity. By any name

Finally

I began listening to audiobooks when Modern Library published its list of the 100 greatest English language novels of the 20th century. I assumed that I had read most of the century's great novels, but it turned out I had only read about 25. I figured I could "read" the rest via audiobooks. Over the years, most of the novels came out in audio format. But for some reason, Point Counter Point was a hold-out. I was pleased to see this English classic finally published as an audiobook.

Aldous Huxley is a great stylist, and that comes out in this book. I was generally familiar with the plotline, but I'm pleased that that I can tell myself I finally checked this novel off my bucket list.

Stefan Rudnicki is a capable and accomplished narrator. However, at times I found it difficult to distinguish which character was speaking since many of them sounded alike. Furthermore, although Mr. Rudnicki is a classically trained actor whose voice is appropriately aristocratic, he is American, not British. This issue was apparent when he read the lines of a character who was supposed to be of the lower English class (Frank Illidge). Mr. Rudnicki's voice sounded artificial and sometimes he forgot to stay in character.

Overall, I recommend this book to other listeners. Although not as compelling as Brave New World (few novels are), this is a great work of art.

Wonderful Performance of a Fairly Drab Narrative

I have always loved Huxley, but Point Counter Point drags. Well crafted, apt, formative yes; but it lacks relevancy to current status quos, as does it lack relatability to current standards of courtship and marriage. Other authors — Henry James, George Eliot, DH Lawrence, even Edith Wharton in the United States, among others — did a better job of conveying societal trends among the bourgeois. Other authors of the time, as well as those immediately preceding, analyse similar trends and forces as Huxley but do so via stronger methods and more apprehensive strategies… Point Counter Point lacks a prescience that Brave New World or Doors Of Perception has. While reading, or listening to, Point Counter Point it feels as if you’re reading about the past. If you’re looking for historical perspectives you’ll find them in this work. I doubt you’ll find much more than that.

On another note, literary and musical references all throughout the work keep a reader/listener on their toes. Huxley references everyone from Marcel Proust and the Marquis de Sade to Bach and Beethoven. This does make for an involved narrative experience.

I recommend doing a little reading about the characters before hand. There are A LOT of them and it can be challenging to keep track of them all. Also, do a bit of an overview of 20th century philosophy and existentialism. Like music and literature, a great deal of metaphysics are woven into the narrative.


-Noah Balfour
4/25/25