Essentially An Exhaustive Work Resumé

Charlie Chaplin made 81 films in his impressive career - and Joyce Wilson makes sure that she discusses the conception, plot, and filming of each and every one of them. She follows a strict linear chronological storytelling structure - from impoverished beginnings on the British Vaudeville circuit to incredible power wielded as a Hollywood icon - while also reporting what was publicly known to be occurring in the actor's personal life (love affairs, divorces, lawsuits, etc.).
The result is a punctiliously accurate biography that is inadvertantly quite superficial - notwithstanding discussons of controversial elements of his life like his Harvey Weinstein-like sex acts, psychiatric struggles, and communist politics. There is plenty of background for forming an opinion.. but I was never able to get a grasp on who the *man* was (Wilson offers voluminous detail and precious little insight).

Unfortunately, the book is also made a more difficult read with a strikingly poor narration. Reader Clinton Wade displays an emotionless tone and reads with an irritating staccato Iambic cadence (every second syllable emphasized). Reviewers comparing Wade to a "text-to-speech" app are sadly accurate (setting playback speed at 1.25X helped somewhat.. but this performance is straight-up awful).

Altogether, I rate 'Tramp' a disappointing 4 stars out of 10. As a 'Plus' selection (included with my subscription), it was an information-packed biography that was a serviceable distraction for a couple of quiet afternoons.. but paying a Credit for this audiobook would be a head-shaker.

ATTN PRODUCERS: An appended PDF with photographs would improve this product markedly

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!