Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Sample

Buy Now for £19.99

Buy Now for £19.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
activate_samplebutton_t1

Summary

On the surface, the Victorian age is one of propriety, industry, prudishness and piety. But scratch the surface and you’ll find scandal, sadism, sex, madness, malice and murder.

Presented by Stephen Fry, this series delves deep into a period of time we think we know, to discover an altogether darker reality. The stories we’re told offer a different perspective on an era which underwent massive social change. As education, trade, technology and culture blossomed, why was there an undercurrent of the ‘forbidden’ festering beneath Victorian society?

Across 12 episodes, Stephen presents a series of true accounts of the dangerous low life and debauched high life of Victorian Britain.

This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 12 episodes to your Library now.

©2018 Audible, Ltd. (P)2018 Audible, Ltd.

Critic reviews

 ★★★★☆ (The Times)

"Scandalous bedtime storyteller Stephen Fry's new podcast bursts the image of the Victorians as prudish and pious... Debauchery, told with delicious relish." (The Guardian)

"Fantastic...[from] the ever eloquent Stephen Fry." (BBC Radio 4)

Audible Sessions with Stephen Fry

Behind the scenes with the presenter of Victorian Secrets
0:00

What listeners say about Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,747
  • 4 Stars
    691
  • 3 Stars
    177
  • 2 Stars
    75
  • 1 Stars
    85
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,673
  • 4 Stars
    391
  • 3 Stars
    82
  • 2 Stars
    53
  • 1 Stars
    48
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,227
  • 4 Stars
    686
  • 3 Stars
    172
  • 2 Stars
    64
  • 1 Stars
    61

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Tinnitus was more acceptable than the loud music

Stephen Fry’s delivery was spot on as always but I had to constantly rewind the audiobook because I was distracted by the background music. I say “background”; if only it were! Nothing wrong with it per se; just too damned LOUD.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent and Informative

Stephen Fry is wonderful at narrating this series of interesting tales from the Victorian period. Well supported by a talented cast and experts the listener is transported to a hidden part of our history which, I for one, thoroughly enjoyed 👍🏻

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

The reviews about the music in the background being annoying weren’t really the case for me
I love the stories and Fry’s reading was superb

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Educating and entertaining

Steven Fry leads you on a exciting journey of murder, mystery and suspense. It’s amazing anyone got out alive during the Victorian era.

Well worth listening to in the car on long journeys.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very enlightening and entertaining

Thoroughly enjoyed this series a combination Stephen Fry as well as experts on the subjects shining light on the hidden world of the Victorians.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

A brilliant insight into Victorian life. Great narration from Stephen Fry too. Would thoroughly recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining and enlightening

I’ve grown very fond of this series of audible essays in the secretive victorians. The first chapter wasn’t so hot but the subsequent chapters are a delight and not only enlighten my understanding of Victorian Britain but it gives great insight into modern times and our current society.

Steph Fry is even more witty and engaging than usual and I’ve become a real fan of his narration style, he’s a born narrator and teller of bedtime stories.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So many wonderful stories.

Fascinating insights .A glimpse behind the velvet drapes of Victorian society. Told impeccably by Stephen Fry with one raised eyebrow and accompanying wry smile . Left me wanting to learn more about the people depicted in this series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating!

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Really fascinating insight into Victorian life and wonderfully told by Mr. Fry!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Dreadful

Love Fry but his content and delivery are completely overshadowed by plinky plonky dreadful piano music that never ever stops and is often too loud and always very distracting. The production has ruined good narration although the subject matters chosen are also weird and and don’t really make sense when run concurrently. Plus, the tales make strange choices anyway.

All in all a very odd and disappointing book. The only reason it garnered one star was that it’s free and it’s Stephen Fry. DON’T waste your time even if this remains free.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!