The Untouchable Audiobook (Unabridged)

" This one was highly recommended and highly dull. The language was fusty and glacial, though in all likelihood a perfect example of class and character. I gave it almost twice my customary taste test, lasting till page 58. The oncology waiting room offered better reading material. 'Nuff said. Back to the library, you ponderous old thing, you! "

" This is one of my favorite books ever. It's beautifully written, about a gay, Irish man who acted as a spy for Russians during the second World War. Really fascinating, and for anyone who loves descriptions of the U.K., very powerful. "

" A brilliant fictional take on the Cambridge spy ring, reinventing the story of Anthony Blunt by mixing versions of Maclean, Burgess and Philby with imaginary takes on Alan Turing and Graham Greene while throwing a liberal dash of Louis Macneice. Beautiful prose in the service of a fascinating psychological investigation at the same time as being a quick, fun read. "

" In the end, I found the book chilling in its portrayal of a man without authentic emotional ties. He is alienated from his children. Apparent friends have betrayed him. He doesn't even seem particularly tied to the politics that have supposedly driven him into his life as a double-agent. "

" I loved this novel! Having just read The Sense of an Ending--the Booker Prize winner--and finding it just another older male naval gazing exercise, I was elated to be reading this send-up of the Cambridge Apostle and spy--Anthony Blunt. Not that the the novel isn't serious; it's very serious. Banville's prose is rich, poetic, sensuous, sly, everything one could want. It's a meditation on identity, art, betrayal, English class consciousness, treason--I could go on and on. I wonder what the Booker folks were thinking when they gave the prize to Julian Barnes???? "

" very british spy circa 1940. The references were to obscure for me....you need to either be British or really old to get this book. "

" Nearly a perfect novel--perfect mastery of lst person voice--wonderfully dense and poetic language--superbly evocative of the thirties, forties & fifties "

" I'm over John Banville. I didn't like our book club book, Book of Evidence, and I really couldn't get into The Untouchable. "

" Reflections on art and beauty and identity. "

" The protagonist is a closeted homosexual and a double agent for the Russians during the Cold War. Banville then milks the parallels for ALL that they're worth. "

" Stunning use of language. I am jealous. "

" I wanted this to be a cross between Anthony Powell and Graham Greene- but it was ultimately a bit heartless- like Goodfellas if Henry Hill was a misanthropic Poussin scholar working for the Russians on the sly.... "

" This was a difficult but ultimately rewarding read. I actually had to look up some words, which was kind of fun and definitely educational. The writing is superb, if dense, and while the story was fairly depressing, I'm glad I took the time to get through this one. "

" Very complicated and absorbing. "

" Limp-wristed nancy boy serves up a treasure trove of exquisite epiphanies laced with a strong dose of class-bound aestheticism. "

" Although the pace was a little bit slow, the plaintive tone of the 'memoir' felt authentic and the prose possessed a dreamy character. I appreciated the dual themes of the 'Untouchable' moniker (revealed spy and the married-but-gay gentleman). "

" I'm definitely a John Banville fan! Intriguing, sets the atmosphere very well, and keeps the plot moving just fast enough to keep you reading but not so fast you miss the language. Funny and serious. "

" Although I disliked so much about this book, I have to say that I was fairly gripped right to the end. I found most of the characters quite unpleasant in their disregard for humanity. However, the story line obviously had something that caught my interest and kept me reading. "

" Brilliant. An extraction of will itself. "

" Good, but disappointing. It's written very well, but the prose is a bit too purple, it has a number of patterns that became predictable, and it sacrifices substance for style. Very much like a real memoir, it fails to answer--or even address--your most pressing questions. "

" historically based novels are often either too dry or too embellished -- this one is perfect. "

" 2nd printing before pub, signed by author "