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dorhastings's review
So, I personally don't believe it's fair for me to rate this book, because I listened to Audible's very very abridged version of it. But I'm still going to count it here because I can, and I also think it's worth commenting about, for a few reasons.
First of all, if you want a short listen that is full of plot and intriguing characters, this is great. I just listened to a very long series of lectures, so this was a breath of fresh air. It's easy to complete in a day. Secondly, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that this book provides at least part of the plot of 1999's Cruel Intentions. Super fun. Perhaps best of all is the caliber of the actors and actresses in this production. They are all amazing and I can easily imagine listening to this audiobook again. I'm curious to read the entire book, to be sure. But to take a 12-hour book and break it down to two hours of just the letters (mostly those between the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont [both absolutely amazing]) is a recipe for disaster. But I fully enjoyed this snippet from the book. Well worth it.
First of all, if you want a short listen that is full of plot and intriguing characters, this is great. I just listened to a very long series of lectures, so this was a breath of fresh air. It's easy to complete in a day. Secondly, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that this book provides at least part of the plot of 1999's Cruel Intentions. Super fun. Perhaps best of all is the caliber of the actors and actresses in this production. They are all amazing and I can easily imagine listening to this audiobook again. I'm curious to read the entire book, to be sure. But to take a 12-hour book and break it down to two hours of just the letters (mostly those between the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont [both absolutely amazing]) is a recipe for disaster. But I fully enjoyed this snippet from the book. Well worth it.
lovesarahmae's review
3.0
When you're half an hour into an audio book and you realize this is the source material of a movie you watched compulsively as a teenager. Cruel Intentions staring Sarah Michelle Geller, Ryan Phillipe and Reese Witherspoon. This is the audio version of the currently on Broadway adaptation (stage play written by Mulller in the 1980's), done beautifully. As an epistolary novel, I struggle to imagine it on stage, but as an audio recording it beautifully reflects the tone and passions and many character cast. The story overall is one of moral intrigue and corruption- which makes it lightning fast and interesting, if not morally fortifying.
jesikasbookshelf's review
3.0
I have read 'Dangerous Liaisons' and it is fantastic. It has however, been a few years and so the story was just as gripping. I think the cast reading the letters was very well done and entertaining and it makes me wonder why more plays aren't turned into an audio book from the stage productions - Donmar may be on to a winner idea there!
However, I do think that this was slightly too abridged - had I not had prior knowledge of the plot through the book (and the countless teenage viewings of Cruel Intentions playing on ITV2 almost every week which led me to read the book in the first place), a lot of developments would have appeared out of nowhere or been skipped altogether.
The complex characters, however, we're brought to life spectacularly
However, I do think that this was slightly too abridged - had I not had prior knowledge of the plot through the book (and the countless teenage viewings of Cruel Intentions playing on ITV2 almost every week which led me to read the book in the first place), a lot of developments would have appeared out of nowhere or been skipped altogether.
The complex characters, however, we're brought to life spectacularly
wingsandfables's review
3.0
*3.5 stars*
I think this is one that I'll have to actually read the book to understand everything. The plot was difficult for me to follow with the different characters, especially with it being French literature and I inevitably always have difficulty keeping foreign names separate in my brain. I found myself thinking that I had finally figured everything out and then I would get confused again. From what I could make out and get straight in my head however, I did enjoy this. Quite a few twists and has plenty of subplot, behind-the-scenes antics going on and full of intrigue and naughtiness of the century. It's also epistolary which is one of my favorite styles. If you're familiar with the story or if you've read the book or seen the play beforehand, I think this would be easier to listen to on audiobook, but if you are a casual listener this may be difficult to follow. This version itself also is only excerpts, not the entirety of the book so that may have led to my difficulty as well.
However, the performance itself of this was very entertaining to listen to since its the actors from the play reading it aloud. They put plenty of emotion and realness into the characters and I really enjoyed listening to their performances. This would be a good version to pick up if you are looking for an emotional, dramatic recording.
I think this is one that I'll have to actually read the book to understand everything. The plot was difficult for me to follow with the different characters, especially with it being French literature and I inevitably always have difficulty keeping foreign names separate in my brain. I found myself thinking that I had finally figured everything out and then I would get confused again. From what I could make out and get straight in my head however, I did enjoy this. Quite a few twists and has plenty of subplot, behind-the-scenes antics going on and full of intrigue and naughtiness of the century. It's also epistolary which is one of my favorite styles. If you're familiar with the story or if you've read the book or seen the play beforehand, I think this would be easier to listen to on audiobook, but if you are a casual listener this may be difficult to follow. This version itself also is only excerpts, not the entirety of the book so that may have led to my difficulty as well.
However, the performance itself of this was very entertaining to listen to since its the actors from the play reading it aloud. They put plenty of emotion and realness into the characters and I really enjoyed listening to their performances. This would be a good version to pick up if you are looking for an emotional, dramatic recording.
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