Nightmare Abbey


Read by Mark F. Smith

(3.8 stars; 40 reviews)

Deep in the fens of the British coast sits the gloomy mansion that goes by the name Nightmare Abbey. It is inhabited by persons of very low opinion of the human race, and in fact they pride themselves in the depths of their detestation. Others of its denizens believe the ultimate exercise and product of the human mind ought to be chaos.

Now let the young master of the house get snared by the wiles of a beautiful young lady. And for good measure, toss in another beautiful young lady. Now Scythrop (named in honor of an ancestor who became bored with life and hanged himself) is about to find that two such make too much of a good thing!

Peacock wrote Nightmare Abbey as a satire, and he has folded in allusions to or quotations from literally dozens of other works. He makes use of many long, impressive-sounding words (some of which he very possibly made up!). Ignore these and his occasional Latin phrase, treat the rest as a farce, and you're on track for a fun listen!(Summary be Mark F. Smith) (3 hr 23 min)

Chapters

Chapter 01 17:37 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 02 7:35 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 03 10:37 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 04 10:46 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 05 12:57 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 06 17:50 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 07 21:49 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 08 12:02 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 09 11:00 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 10 16:10 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 11 19:40 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 12 12:41 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 13 16:24 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 14 8:06 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 15 7:48 Read by Mark F. Smith

Reviews

Not a fan of this book.


(2 stars)

First of all, the opening chapters were not very interesting. I realize the book is supposed to be a satire, but I didn't find it very satirical in nature or tone. Second, the ending is depressing. The reading is fabulous, so if you like this type of story, go for it.

FUN CHANGE OF PACE


(5 stars)

A weak. yet fun, satire. There were a few places which evinced chuckles, but no riotous laughter. superbly read! For on the person who vilified the yawning Listless; it is after all, satire. It might make a good slapstick short play.

0/10, did not get nightmares


(4.5 stars)

Would not buy again! ...in all seriousness, very well read by Mr. Smith. The satire itself falls, perhaps, a little flat, but it is still certainly a fun listen!

great reading


(5 stars)

I really enjoyed this reading. It was easy to follow, mainly as the characters were all voiced differently (the yawning mentioned by others was one character's trademark). Thank you.

excellent reading of a delightful satire


(5 stars)

Peacock may not be to everyone’s taste, but the reader handled the text with poise, humor, and intelligence. A virtuoso performance with a difficult text.


(2.5 stars)

Smith is great as reader but the book is not funny or ironic enough to succeed as parody.


(2.5 stars)

The reading of Mark Smith made this luck lustre novel a delight to listen too.

I am a fan of Marks narrations but this was difficult to follow


(3.5 stars)