The Evil Genius

By: Wilkie Collins

Narrated by: John Bolen

Wilkie Collins' most financially successful novel, The Evil Genius, opens with a jury determining the fate of a sea captain whose ship allegedly facilitated a diamond theft. The story develops into a powerful novel of Victorian private life, including deception, adultery, and divorce.

An 'evil genius' is threatening to rip apart the fabric of the Linley home. Who is it and why? Is it the orphaned young governess for whom the father lusts; the brother-in-law who appears to help everyone, but often succeeds in making things worse; the meddling mother-in-law whose good-intentioned interferences lead to greater heartache; the disloyal father, or perhaps the unassuming daughter?

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Good story spoiled by the reader

You may like this fine. But for me the voice of the reader was so annoying that, honestly, I couldn’t make it to the end.

Why Audible Kids?

Why is this on Audible for kids? It’s a nice Victorian story that I, an adult, enjoyed but I can’t see how it’s classified “for kids.” I’m not a prude but the theme is adultery and forgiveness from the perspective of the adults. There is a child character but nothing is told from her perspective. I just think it’s miscategorized.

interesting story

I loved it as I was pleased when my guess about the ending was wrong.
in addition, it was quite puzzling to me all those things about law versus morals in England. especially as I am from a different country... I wouldn't have thought that it was such an issue back then. keeps me thinking still. so yeah, love the story!

great story

This is a fun little story and would make a great movie: the characters are well developed, interesting and multi-faceted, the story has twists and turns and it all ends happily ever after. It’s funny too. Maybe I’ll try my hand at screenplay-writing…. “and the Oscar for best adaptation of a novel goes to….”

WORST NARRATOR EVER

Atrocious voice acting - detracted from the brilliant story. This recording should be destroyed and the recording should be redone. If I were Mr. Collins's relative I would sue.

Bad Reader

What did you like best about The Evil Genius? What did you like least?

The insight into late 19th century life. I liked the reader least

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

Not good by 21st century mores.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of John Bolen?

Almost anyone, but certainly British

Did The Evil Genius inspire you to do anything?

Be glad I live in the 21st century

Any additional comments?

I have made a note never to listen to anything read by John Bolen.

Ruined by inept narration

Lest any reader be deceived by the title of this book, the "evil genius" refers to a general evil spirit or bad influence among the characters, rather than one malevolent person. This is a fairly well-written Victorian melodrama. Interest in the storyline is impeded by narration which is so ridiculously inept, so comically bad, as to induce amazed laughter. Personally, if it were my job to choose a narrator for a novel set in Victorian England and Scotland, I would not choose an American reader with a speech impediment. The Scottish characters sound like an amalgamation of a Swedish Chef, Charlie Chan and the Lucky Charms Leprecaun. The female characters are voiced in breathy falsetto. Every word ending in "ing" is mispronounced. "Singing while walking in the evening" sounds like "Singeen while walkeen in the eveneen." Amazingly, the story was interesting enough for me to accept and overlook these annoyances.
Far better novels available from Audible with similar themes and plotlines comprise The Forsyte Saga, by (Nobel Prize winner) John Galsworthy. The narration of these novels is far better as well.

Worst narration ever

This was such a good novel but the terrible narration with the awful accents and voices was very distracting.

nice, campy

This book is read in an excellent campy style that perfectly fits the weird Victorian campiness of the tale. It's a good story and of historical interest in its treatment of divorce and custody issues.

Not Wilkie’s Best Effort

Having loved the Moonstone and the Woman in White, I had high expectations for this story, but I thought the characters were flat and the plot and overall tone overly melodramatic. Also, the narrator should not have attempted to produce female voices. Sounded a little silly, I’m afraid