What do you think?
Rate this book
Harry Clarke
Publisher's Summary
A sexually charged and wickedly funny thriller starring Tony Award-winning actor Billy Crudup, Harry Clarke is the story of a shy Midwestern man leading an outrageous double life as the titular cocky Londoner. Moving to New York City and presenting himself as an Englishman, he charms his way into a wealthy family's life as the seductive and precocious Harry, whose increasingly risky and dangerous behavior threatens to undo more than his persona.
Harry Clarke was originally produced by The Vineyard Theatre, in association with Audible, in New York in 2017. In a rave review of the stage production, The New York Times hailed Crudup's performance in a "a sly role terrifically suited to his gifts." And The Hollywood Reporter praised Crudup's "tour-de-force performance; effortlessly delineating his multiple characters, switching accents at the drop of a hat."
Also included is David Cale's Obie Award-winning solo play Lillian, performed by the author. A perfect companion character to the enigmatic Harry Clarke, Lillian - as described by The New York Times - "is a luminous embodiment of the ineffable in life, a reminder that even the most mundane existence is shaped by currents beyond comprehension."
©2017 David Cale (P)2017 Audible Originals, LLC.
A sexually charged and wickedly funny thriller starring Tony Award-winning actor Billy Crudup, Harry Clarke is the story of a shy Midwestern man leading an outrageous double life as the titular cocky Londoner. Moving to New York City and presenting himself as an Englishman, he charms his way into a wealthy family's life as the seductive and precocious Harry, whose increasingly risky and dangerous behavior threatens to undo more than his persona.
Harry Clarke was originally produced by The Vineyard Theatre, in association with Audible, in New York in 2017. In a rave review of the stage production, The New York Times hailed Crudup's performance in a "a sly role terrifically suited to his gifts." And The Hollywood Reporter praised Crudup's "tour-de-force performance; effortlessly delineating his multiple characters, switching accents at the drop of a hat."
Also included is David Cale's Obie Award-winning solo play Lillian, performed by the author. A perfect companion character to the enigmatic Harry Clarke, Lillian - as described by The New York Times - "is a luminous embodiment of the ineffable in life, a reminder that even the most mundane existence is shaped by currents beyond comprehension."
©2017 David Cale (P)2017 Audible Originals, LLC.
4 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 23, 2018
14 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
David Cale
9 books6 followersDavid Cale is an English-American playwright, actor, and songwriter, best known for his solo performance works.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
October 22, 2018
David Cale has been writing and performing excellent solo shows for 32 years, so it was a little odd at first to hear Harry Clarke done by another actor, but I was happy about it for two reasons. First, Billy Crudup is terrific in it, moving easily between five major characters and a dozen minor ones with a great feel for the language and rhythm of the play. Second, it's right for this story, as Cale is English but his narrator is just pretending to be: it's a persona the character has been putting on for most of his life, originally as a childish escape and then because he's done it for too long to dare to stop. Trouble begins when, for reasons he doesn't understand, he starts pretending to be a different Englishman—and as he continues to improvise this new persona, "Harry" turns out to be both a liberating experience and a somewhat dangerous person.
Harry's ruthlessness, self-regard, and amazing dishonesty are a little reminiscent of The Talented Mr. Ripley and The King of Comedy; but the effect is different from either of those because of the narrator—the non-Harry version—who lives in a nearly constant state of terror but is also extremely funny. It's suspenseful in that you're always wondering how long he can keep this up before some kind of disaster, and the narrator plays with the idea that this is a noir thriller like the ones in his movie collection. But anyone expecting a straight-ahead suspense story will be disappointed, as things don't exactly keep escalating, they just sort of fade into other things and different kinds of problems; Harry's bad behavior is damaging, but it turns out that the main object of his affections has pre-existing damage that's even worse, which might or might not have been addressable by a more forthright person. The nature of the narrator's own damage comes into focus pretty late, and to me this was one of the few awkward transitions in the play, as we're basically just told that at this point he has some time on his hands so he's going to reminisce. But that's a brief hiccup in an otherwise seamless experience.
There's a lot going on here: sex of many kinds, class ambition, family fault lines, the closet, the construction of masculinity and identity. I'm not sure if it's Cale's best work but it's pretty special.
The second hour of the audiobook is Cale himself doing his 1997 monologue Lillian, which I've seen before. It's an interesting double feature because, while these are Cale's only two plays that are narrated by a single character, and they're both about people who feel driven to reinvent themselves, Lillian is honest and empathetic in all the ways that Harry isn't. She's just extremely pleasant to be around as she talks about how, after she accepted a pass from a much younger man she met at her bookstore job, resulting in a hilariously awkward sexual encounter, they discovered they actually liked each other and came to relate to each other in different ways over the years. Cale's eye for detail and ear for dialogue are always great, but they create very different effects here than in Harry Clarke, partly because he's writing about his native country and partly because the overall focus is on finding balance, and accepting the passage of time. It's a lovely piece that manages to be both romantic and down-to-earth.
There's also a fair amount of interview material with Cale, Crudup, and the director Leigh Silverman, which I liked a lot.
Harry's ruthlessness, self-regard, and amazing dishonesty are a little reminiscent of The Talented Mr. Ripley and The King of Comedy; but the effect is different from either of those because of the narrator—the non-Harry version—who lives in a nearly constant state of terror but is also extremely funny. It's suspenseful in that you're always wondering how long he can keep this up before some kind of disaster, and the narrator plays with the idea that this is a noir thriller like the ones in his movie collection. But anyone expecting a straight-ahead suspense story will be disappointed, as things don't exactly keep escalating, they just sort of fade into other things and different kinds of problems; Harry's bad behavior is damaging, but it turns out that the main object of his affections has pre-existing damage that's even worse, which might or might not have been addressable by a more forthright person. The nature of the narrator's own damage comes into focus pretty late, and to me this was one of the few awkward transitions in the play, as we're basically just told that at this point he has some time on his hands so he's going to reminisce. But that's a brief hiccup in an otherwise seamless experience.
There's a lot going on here: sex of many kinds, class ambition, family fault lines, the closet, the construction of masculinity and identity. I'm not sure if it's Cale's best work but it's pretty special.
The second hour of the audiobook is Cale himself doing his 1997 monologue Lillian, which I've seen before. It's an interesting double feature because, while these are Cale's only two plays that are narrated by a single character, and they're both about people who feel driven to reinvent themselves, Lillian is honest and empathetic in all the ways that Harry isn't. She's just extremely pleasant to be around as she talks about how, after she accepted a pass from a much younger man she met at her bookstore job, resulting in a hilariously awkward sexual encounter, they discovered they actually liked each other and came to relate to each other in different ways over the years. Cale's eye for detail and ear for dialogue are always great, but they create very different effects here than in Harry Clarke, partly because he's writing about his native country and partly because the overall focus is on finding balance, and accepting the passage of time. It's a lovely piece that manages to be both romantic and down-to-earth.
There's also a fair amount of interview material with Cale, Crudup, and the director Leigh Silverman, which I liked a lot.
November 6, 2019
HARRY CLARKE WITH BONUS PERFORMANCE: LILLIAN was a satisfying listen.
The first was a one man play performed by Billy Crudup. His performance was astonishing! I felt a distinct Mr. Ripley vibe, but I cannot say anymore about that without spoilers. The energy with which this performance was given was contagious and fired me up.
The second piece, Lillian, was okay I guess, but after the energy in the first, it came off as a bit slow, but I did enjoy it.
Thanks to Audible for this Original I downloaded when I was still a member.
The first was a one man play performed by Billy Crudup. His performance was astonishing! I felt a distinct Mr. Ripley vibe, but I cannot say anymore about that without spoilers. The energy with which this performance was given was contagious and fired me up.
The second piece, Lillian, was okay I guess, but after the energy in the first, it came off as a bit slow, but I did enjoy it.
Thanks to Audible for this Original I downloaded when I was still a member.
May 13, 2020
Nope. This was a big, ol' DNF for me. Twice, I've tried to get through this. The second time I deleted it from my downloaded books on Audible.
The blurb seems to promise a con-man doing his con-man things. And while it definitely got into that, the voice acting was so difficult to get past and the characterization was SO weird. I'm into psych, don't get me wrong. And the main character had potential to be a very interesting psych character. But then things started getting weird and uncomfortable, especially the sexual undertones and I bailed again. You know those books that make you really uncomfortable because it feels like the author is playing out their own sexual fantasies/fetishes and it just pulls you out of the story and makes you skip pages? Yep. It definitely felt like it was heading in that direction, but I can't confirm because of the aforementioned bailing out.
I can't rate this book since I didn't even get 1/4 into it.
The blurb seems to promise a con-man doing his con-man things. And while it definitely got into that, the voice acting was so difficult to get past and the characterization was SO weird. I'm into psych, don't get me wrong. And the main character had potential to be a very interesting psych character. But then things started getting weird and uncomfortable, especially the sexual undertones and I bailed again. You know those books that make you really uncomfortable because it feels like the author is playing out their own sexual fantasies/fetishes and it just pulls you out of the story and makes you skip pages? Yep. It definitely felt like it was heading in that direction, but I can't confirm because of the aforementioned bailing out.
I can't rate this book since I didn't even get 1/4 into it.
February 4, 2020
3.5 stars
Harry Clarke is a one man play performed by Billy Crudup and his performance was absolutely stellar!
It had a distinctly creepy feel to it and is essentially about a shy man, Philip Bruggelstein who takes on a whole different persona when he starts talking in a British accent. As time goes by this persona (Harry Clarke) becomes all consuming.
This was one of the free Audible Originals for last year that I completely forgot about. Although the bonus story – Lillian – was not as impactful overall this was well worth my time.
Harry Clarke is a one man play performed by Billy Crudup and his performance was absolutely stellar!
It had a distinctly creepy feel to it and is essentially about a shy man, Philip Bruggelstein who takes on a whole different persona when he starts talking in a British accent. As time goes by this persona (Harry Clarke) becomes all consuming.
This was one of the free Audible Originals for last year that I completely forgot about. Although the bonus story – Lillian – was not as impactful overall this was well worth my time.
January 24, 2019
Another free audible original selection, consisting of two solo plays:
1. Harry Clarke performed by Billy Crudup - I though the narration was excellent, and although the story line was reminiscent of The Talented Mister Ripley, I liked that it was quirky.
2. Lillian performed by David Cale - I actually enjoyed this story more, it felt more genuine. The performance was really good - I do think it makes a difference when the author narrates, as they know the characters inside out.
I think I am forever spoiled by the perfection of Girls & Boys - I have yet to listen to a play where the performance or the plot came close to this.
1. Harry Clarke performed by Billy Crudup - I though the narration was excellent, and although the story line was reminiscent of The Talented Mister Ripley, I liked that it was quirky.
2. Lillian performed by David Cale - I actually enjoyed this story more, it felt more genuine. The performance was really good - I do think it makes a difference when the author narrates, as they know the characters inside out.
I think I am forever spoiled by the perfection of Girls & Boys - I have yet to listen to a play where the performance or the plot came close to this.
February 18, 2018
I guess the book was good because it evoked in me such a negative response to the main character. I found him to be the most self-serving, vile, wretched person. I hated him so much that I was regretful for having given up my time and money for the book. However, looking back, the author must have done a great job creating such a memorable character for me to respond, even negatively, to him. Still, if this character were lying in the street, I’d walk over him and not look back.
November 15, 2019
Harry Clarke by David Cake and narrated by Billy Crudup, and author. This is an unusual story about a guy, and from a very early age, he would speak with an English accent. His alcoholic father would get angry with him. He would make up characters that had certain characteristics that were bold and outgoing, fearless, and give them names...this is him as Harry Clarke. Very interesting and troubling at the same time. I wished the best for Harry!
Narration was wonderful!
There is a bonus short story called Lillian and a discussion with with and narrators.
Narration was wonderful!
There is a bonus short story called Lillian and a discussion with with and narrators.
January 11, 2019
i wasn't too impressed. This was a freebie from Audible so I took a chance but I am hard pressed to even tell you the synopsis other than some bloke pretends to be british and makes friends
July 20, 2023
Unlike most people who rated this, I read the play script, rather than listened to it being performed on the Audible audio. I did so as Billy Crudup, who performs it on the audio and also did the one-man play in NY, will be bringing it to Berkeley Rep soon, which is close to me - so I wanted to see if it was something I might be interested in attending. Plus, I have read other of Cale's scripts, and watched videos of him in performance, and find his work intriguing.
This is a deliciously weird script, and you never really know where it's heading. It's basically about a shy midwestern man who adopts the persona and accent of the English titular character and finds him taking over. There is a strange contradiction early on in the play, in that the character initially states that: "I got on a plane to New York, and from the day I landed, I only spoke in an English accent" - but then 3 pages later says: "Harry Clarke had never made an appearance in New York". Odd. I found the play to be highly amusing and I do believe I'll take it in when it plays here. Or maybe just listen to the free Audible on Amazon.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/th...
This is a deliciously weird script, and you never really know where it's heading. It's basically about a shy midwestern man who adopts the persona and accent of the English titular character and finds him taking over. There is a strange contradiction early on in the play, in that the character initially states that: "I got on a plane to New York, and from the day I landed, I only spoke in an English accent" - but then 3 pages later says: "Harry Clarke had never made an appearance in New York". Odd. I found the play to be highly amusing and I do believe I'll take it in when it plays here. Or maybe just listen to the free Audible on Amazon.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/th...
February 3, 2019
Explicit themes and language.
This is a mostly fun story about a shy man, Philip Brugelstein, from Indiana, who thinks that only with an English accent can he be himself. Performed by Billy Crudup, Philip takes on the persona of Harry Clark from London. Living an ordinary life in New York, one day, he follows a man, Mark Schmidt. Later, when he meets Mark again, he pretends to be an old acquaintance of his wife's, with information he gleaned from listening in on Mark's phone conversations. Harry Clark is Philip's alter ego; he says and does eccentric and wild things, that appeal to Mark, things Philip would never have done. Some of the scrapes he gets into are hilarious, and one can't help but forgive Harry, because, you know, he had a horrid childhood.
The next story about Lillian is equally funny, but as always, humor can be quite serious. Serious in all the right places that make me remember something. These characters do not fail to laugh at themselves. They're observant about their place in the world and scream loudly, a little laugh won't kill you.
The next section of this audible original was dedicated to the process in which this production was created and was incredibly fascinating, as I always find the creative process to be. Extremely interesting, was David Cale's process of writing, which is actually speaking. He speaks his work into being and tapes it and has gathered some renown for his solo performances. Mostly, he performs his own work, but when he spoke Harry Clark into existence, Cale says he felt the character could be better performed by someone else. After listening, how can I doubt the truth of that? Billy Crudup was excellent, with a rich, captivating voice. Harry Clark, with all his glamour and humor, is a fun character.
This is a mostly fun story about a shy man, Philip Brugelstein, from Indiana, who thinks that only with an English accent can he be himself. Performed by Billy Crudup, Philip takes on the persona of Harry Clark from London. Living an ordinary life in New York, one day, he follows a man, Mark Schmidt. Later, when he meets Mark again, he pretends to be an old acquaintance of his wife's, with information he gleaned from listening in on Mark's phone conversations. Harry Clark is Philip's alter ego; he says and does eccentric and wild things, that appeal to Mark, things Philip would never have done. Some of the scrapes he gets into are hilarious, and one can't help but forgive Harry, because, you know, he had a horrid childhood.
The next story about Lillian is equally funny, but as always, humor can be quite serious. Serious in all the right places that make me remember something. These characters do not fail to laugh at themselves. They're observant about their place in the world and scream loudly, a little laugh won't kill you.
The next section of this audible original was dedicated to the process in which this production was created and was incredibly fascinating, as I always find the creative process to be. Extremely interesting, was David Cale's process of writing, which is actually speaking. He speaks his work into being and tapes it and has gathered some renown for his solo performances. Mostly, he performs his own work, but when he spoke Harry Clark into existence, Cale says he felt the character could be better performed by someone else. After listening, how can I doubt the truth of that? Billy Crudup was excellent, with a rich, captivating voice. Harry Clark, with all his glamour and humor, is a fun character.
January 14, 2019
I listened to this and hated it the whole time. I don’t even know why I finished this. I chose it because it was highly rated on audible and I’m completely clueless as to why. Maybe I’m missing something? Anyways, my recommendation would be to not waste your time.
July 15, 2019
שני סיפורים קצרים נפלאים. הביצוע נהדר מבחינתי 5 כוכבים, הסיפור השני קצת הוריד לי בגלל ההתחלה שבה הסופר מסביר כיצד הגיע לסיפור והורס את האפקט שלו.
הרי קלארק הוא דמות בדיונית של ילד אמריקאי בן 9 שאביו מתעמר בו בשל העובדה שהוא מדבר במבטא בריטי. הדמות של הרי קלארק, קורמת עור וגידים
ובעיקר משעשעת והזויה משתלטת על חייו של המספר שבתחילה, מסיבות לא ברורות מעמיד פנים שהוא הרי קלארק אבל מאוחר יותר לא מצליח להשתחרר מהדמות גם כשהוא מאוד רוצה. היא מקבלת חיים משלה ומעמידה את הדמות הראשית במצבים הזויים ומסוכנים. וזה עד הסוף המפתיע והמופרע של הסיפור.
הסיפור השני ליליאן מקסים ומשעשע ביותר, גם הוא עם סוף מפתיע. ליליאן היא כל מה שהרי לא. היא חמה, אמפטית ומצחיקה. היא פוגשת בחור צעיר ואחרי סטוץ איתו היא מגלה שהיא למעשה מחבבת אותו. התיאור של הסטוץ קורע, ביחוד החלק שבו באולטרה מודעות ליליאן מברכת על זה שבן זוגה לסטוץ השמיע קול של כלב מוכה.
נהנתי מאוד משני הסיפורים מהרישעות של הרי קלרק ומחוש ההומור של ליליאן. חבל שלא צורף עוד סיפור קצר לקובץ זה היה פשוט מושלם מבחינתי.
הרי קלארק הוא דמות בדיונית של ילד אמריקאי בן 9 שאביו מתעמר בו בשל העובדה שהוא מדבר במבטא בריטי. הדמות של הרי קלארק, קורמת עור וגידים
ובעיקר משעשעת והזויה משתלטת על חייו של המספר שבתחילה, מסיבות לא ברורות מעמיד פנים שהוא הרי קלארק אבל מאוחר יותר לא מצליח להשתחרר מהדמות גם כשהוא מאוד רוצה. היא מקבלת חיים משלה ומעמידה את הדמות הראשית במצבים הזויים ומסוכנים. וזה עד הסוף המפתיע והמופרע של הסיפור.
הסיפור השני ליליאן מקסים ומשעשע ביותר, גם הוא עם סוף מפתיע. ליליאן היא כל מה שהרי לא. היא חמה, אמפטית ומצחיקה. היא פוגשת בחור צעיר ואחרי סטוץ איתו היא מגלה שהיא למעשה מחבבת אותו. התיאור של הסטוץ קורע, ביחוד החלק שבו באולטרה מודעות ליליאן מברכת על זה שבן זוגה לסטוץ השמיע קול של כלב מוכה.
נהנתי מאוד משני הסיפורים מהרישעות של הרי קלרק ומחוש ההומור של ליליאן. חבל שלא צורף עוד סיפור קצר לקובץ זה היה פשוט מושלם מבחינתי.
April 15, 2019
This was free from Audible. It wasn't worth the price. It was poorly written, poorly performed and just downright pretentious and stupid. The comments which follow the "plays", by Billy Krudup (a good actor) and the author David Cale, are typical self-congratulatory nonsense. One of the questions to the author was: "What inspired you to write this?" His answer was as nonsensical as the writing. The only thing that could have inspired such worthless writing is either money, drugs or a totally self delusionery ego. I have a compulsion to finish everything I start to read or listen to. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing, but for this piece of junk it was total waste of three hours of my life. Enough. Avoid at all costs.
January 10, 2019
This is super weird and graphic at times. There are several moments when you just have to say What the Fuck? Worth the listen though
January 22, 2019
Tour de force one-man performance of 19-character play
Review of the Audible Studios audiobook w/ "Harry Clarke" performed by Billy Crudup, "Lillian" performed by David Cale, author & director interview, and cast & audience Q&A.
This was an Audible Originals free pick for January 2019 after its initial release in January 2018. The main attraction is a recording of David Cale's "Harry Clarke" one-man play which is performed by Billy Crudup in a real tour-de-force. The play centres around Midwestern American Philip Brugglestein who has convinced himself that his "real" voice speaks with a British accent. He adopts the personality of Harry Clarke from London, England for this and the main drama of the play are his interactions with a son, daughter and mother from a wealthy family. The recording is from the play's original run at the Vineyard Theater in NYC in 2017 and runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The bonus performance is David Cale's own voicing of his one-person play "Lillian" where he is mostly telling the story from middle-aged Lillian's point of view without having to perform many character voices. This was just as entertaining even if it didn't require the multi-voices of the main act. The performance runs for 1 hour.
There are then bonus tracks. First there is a 30-minute interview with writer David Cale and director (of "Harry Clarke") Leigh Silverman. Then there is a 30-minute audience Q&A recorded after a performance of "Harry Clarke" with Crudup, Cale and Silverman.
This was an excellent package to introduce the writing of David Cale whose work I was previously unfamiliar with but who has apparently been performing one-man monologues for many years.
Bonus Link
There is a promotional video where Billy Crudup discusses and demonstrates the process of performing the multiple character voices of "Harry Clarke" on YouTube.
Review of the Audible Studios audiobook w/ "Harry Clarke" performed by Billy Crudup, "Lillian" performed by David Cale, author & director interview, and cast & audience Q&A.
This was an Audible Originals free pick for January 2019 after its initial release in January 2018. The main attraction is a recording of David Cale's "Harry Clarke" one-man play which is performed by Billy Crudup in a real tour-de-force. The play centres around Midwestern American Philip Brugglestein who has convinced himself that his "real" voice speaks with a British accent. He adopts the personality of Harry Clarke from London, England for this and the main drama of the play are his interactions with a son, daughter and mother from a wealthy family. The recording is from the play's original run at the Vineyard Theater in NYC in 2017 and runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The bonus performance is David Cale's own voicing of his one-person play "Lillian" where he is mostly telling the story from middle-aged Lillian's point of view without having to perform many character voices. This was just as entertaining even if it didn't require the multi-voices of the main act. The performance runs for 1 hour.
There are then bonus tracks. First there is a 30-minute interview with writer David Cale and director (of "Harry Clarke") Leigh Silverman. Then there is a 30-minute audience Q&A recorded after a performance of "Harry Clarke" with Crudup, Cale and Silverman.
This was an excellent package to introduce the writing of David Cale whose work I was previously unfamiliar with but who has apparently been performing one-man monologues for many years.
Bonus Link
There is a promotional video where Billy Crudup discusses and demonstrates the process of performing the multiple character voices of "Harry Clarke" on YouTube.
February 24, 2019
Not my cup of tea.
January 21, 2019
Terrible. I just kept waiting for something to happen. I took a chance because it was free on audible but now I know why it was free. You couldn’t pay me listen to this.
June 10, 2019
Harry Clarke, the first of the two plays presented in this Audible Originals audio book, was quite good. The lead character gave me a "The Talented Mr. Ripley" vibe, but since I never read the book and my last viewing of the film was years ago, I wasn't sure I was right. It was good to see other reviewers also make the connection. A case could be made for feeling that he's "mildly disturbed" all the way to "completely vile," but in either case as fiction I found his story enjoyable. (I doubt I'd feel that way if it were true.)
I chose this as one of my free selections because of Billy Crudup, who plays all the characters, and his performance was really excellent. I'd recommend it for that reason alone.
Lillian, another enjoyable one-man play by the same author, was a bonus selection. In this case, the author David Cale was also the performer, and he also did a very nice job.
Neither play really came close to blowing me away though, mostly I think because if there was a point to them, it went over my head. Other reviewers have suggested ideas, and while I find many of them plausible, they're ultimately unsatisfying. In between the plays, and then subsequently, the audio book includes discussions with the author. Though they were enjoyable also, I would have loved to hear him talk about what he was trying to accomplish with either play (or both of them). Sadly, they never broached that topic.
I chose this as one of my free selections because of Billy Crudup, who plays all the characters, and his performance was really excellent. I'd recommend it for that reason alone.
Lillian, another enjoyable one-man play by the same author, was a bonus selection. In this case, the author David Cale was also the performer, and he also did a very nice job.
Neither play really came close to blowing me away though, mostly I think because if there was a point to them, it went over my head. Other reviewers have suggested ideas, and while I find many of them plausible, they're ultimately unsatisfying. In between the plays, and then subsequently, the audio book includes discussions with the author. Though they were enjoyable also, I would have loved to hear him talk about what he was trying to accomplish with either play (or both of them). Sadly, they never broached that topic.
January 5, 2019
Listened to this on audible. I didn’t hate it or like it. Although, I was relieved it was a fairly short story so I guess I didn’t like it. Wouldn’t recommend it but I also don’t feel robbed of my time. Characters were strange and not really relatable but interesting to listen to in the background. Ending was kind of abrupt but made sense.
Read
April 4, 2019This was weird and if it wasnt free I wouldnt have picked it up. I liked the theater aspect and the accents but otherwise it was hard to follow.
January 31, 2019
So conversational, so entertaining, so bold as brass...Harry Clarke is an alter ego for the narrator, Philip Brugglestein. Philip is an Illinois-born, Indiana-bred American, but his chosen alter ego, Harry, is a confident and charismatic Londoner with a bright and cheeky Cockney accent. I really enjoyed the story, but I really do think this would've been fantastic to see live, as intended, in a solo performance. I believe it would benefit from that energy from the performer, feeding off the energy from the audience.
The bonus performance of Lillian, as read by David Cale, was also entertaining, but not quite as much as Harry Clarke. Also based on a solo performance, Lillian is vibrant and bold, but missing a bit more of that struggle that you feel and connect to with Harry Clarke.
Audiobook, Billy Crudup and David Cale narration: Billy Crudup was fantastic; he slipped in and out of the accents and voices with ease. David Cale, being the author, had an excellent delivery throughout, and really embraced everything about his creation of Lillian. Both performances were really well done, and I would absolutely listen to another audiobook in which either perform.
The bonus performance of Lillian, as read by David Cale, was also entertaining, but not quite as much as Harry Clarke. Also based on a solo performance, Lillian is vibrant and bold, but missing a bit more of that struggle that you feel and connect to with Harry Clarke.
Audiobook, Billy Crudup and David Cale narration: Billy Crudup was fantastic; he slipped in and out of the accents and voices with ease. David Cale, being the author, had an excellent delivery throughout, and really embraced everything about his creation of Lillian. Both performances were really well done, and I would absolutely listen to another audiobook in which either perform.
March 2, 2021
3.5 stars
I wasn't familiar with David Cale and his one man shows before giving a listen to this Audible Original, but I found it very interesting. I thought Billy Crudup did a fantastic job in his role of an American who pretended to be British (even while growing up, this wasn't just an adult/conman thing thing). He went from one character to the next seamlessly and I could almost see him change characters right in front of me. Harry Clarke is one interesting and conniving character. Bravo for the performance done on audio. Kind of wish there was more, but I enjoyed it. The bonus was having the second half when David Cale performed his own Lillian included on the audio as well. This one didn't stand out for me as much as the first, but maybe because it was shorter? Regardless, it was a bonus to get two short one man plays on one audio. And then it ends with a little interview with Mr Cale.
Fun little ditty to take enjoy of my drive and would love to see this performed in person.
I wasn't familiar with David Cale and his one man shows before giving a listen to this Audible Original, but I found it very interesting. I thought Billy Crudup did a fantastic job in his role of an American who pretended to be British (even while growing up, this wasn't just an adult/conman thing thing). He went from one character to the next seamlessly and I could almost see him change characters right in front of me. Harry Clarke is one interesting and conniving character. Bravo for the performance done on audio. Kind of wish there was more, but I enjoyed it. The bonus was having the second half when David Cale performed his own Lillian included on the audio as well. This one didn't stand out for me as much as the first, but maybe because it was shorter? Regardless, it was a bonus to get two short one man plays on one audio. And then it ends with a little interview with Mr Cale.
Fun little ditty to take enjoy of my drive and would love to see this performed in person.
November 24, 2020
This is an Audible theatrical production of 2 one man plays, plus a conversation at the end from the writer, actor, director, etc. Be warned that this has adult themes and language. Also be warned that you might laugh out loud in places.
I thought of some of Andy Warhol's writing during the first play, Harry Clarke. Liliian is the second play and there's a line about something that was in an episode of Psych that I watched today.
The average ratings of this seem a little low. I wonder if it's because it was a free or cheap Audible Original that more people tried it out than might have bought it. If you like theater or want to try something new then give this a try. I'm glad I did.
I decided to pick out random books from my Audible library for the last quarter of the year. My 24 year old has helped. I'm starting my next book tomorrow and it's going to be different again!
I thought of some of Andy Warhol's writing during the first play, Harry Clarke. Liliian is the second play and there's a line about something that was in an episode of Psych that I watched today.
The average ratings of this seem a little low. I wonder if it's because it was a free or cheap Audible Original that more people tried it out than might have bought it. If you like theater or want to try something new then give this a try. I'm glad I did.
I decided to pick out random books from my Audible library for the last quarter of the year. My 24 year old has helped. I'm starting my next book tomorrow and it's going to be different again!
April 15, 2020
Don't get your knickers in a twist darling!
This live play written by David Cale was absolutely terrific. It sat for one year in my library because I couldn't listen to it outside my house as I would just crack up laughing! Thank you Billy Crudup for an amazing performance.
Very short, do give it a try—it is worth it.
This live play written by David Cale was absolutely terrific. It sat for one year in my library because I couldn't listen to it outside my house as I would just crack up laughing! Thank you Billy Crudup for an amazing performance.
Very short, do give it a try—it is worth it.
October 21, 2020
I enjoyed the first bit of the story it had great Talented Mr Ripley vibes but the last quarter of Clarke's story felt rushed like the time limit was reached so it glossed over a lot so it could be completed.
The second story felt better but again the ending seemed disjointed from the rest of the story.
The second story felt better but again the ending seemed disjointed from the rest of the story.
March 25, 2019
This is a one-man play performed by Billy Crudup. The play was smart, funny and original. I loved the idea behind it. Crudup's performance was outstanding. Really entertaining. Came with a bonus play "Lillian" which I didn't enjoy was much but was still worth a listen.
July 16, 2020
2.5*
Perhaps I would have enjoyed these 2 plays (this audiobook edition included another of Cale's one-man plays - Lillian - as well as some discussion with the author) better if I had seen them performed. Of the 2, I liked Lillian better than Harry Clarke.
Perhaps I would have enjoyed these 2 plays (this audiobook edition included another of Cale's one-man plays - Lillian - as well as some discussion with the author) better if I had seen them performed. Of the 2, I liked Lillian better than Harry Clarke.
January 12, 2019
I loved these characters Harry & then Lillian. So rich and believable!
February 11, 2019
A very well acted audio-drama. Very enjoyable.
March 11, 2019
I really liked these two plays by David Cale and am puzzled by the other low ratings. Billy Crudup was excellent and it’s a very good production. Captivating.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews