3.0
The Hippopotamus
ByPublisher Description
NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
Stephen Fry's charmingly misanthropic send-up of the English mystery features an unlikely but necessary hero: Ted Wallace, AKA the Hippopotamus, a failed and disolute poet, recently fired theater critic, and muckraker of modern irrationality, whose war against the unreasonable finds sudden purpose investigating a series of supposed miracles at a mansion in the country.
"I’ve suffered for my art, now it’s your turn.” So begins the tale of Ted Wallace, unaffectionately known as the Hippopotamus. Failed poet, failed theater critic, failed father and husband, Ted is a shameless womanizer, drinks too much, and is at odds in his cranky but maddeningly logical way with most of modern life. Fired from his newspaper, Ted seeks a few months’ repose and free liquor at Swafford Hall, the country mansion of his old friend Michael Logan. This world of boozy dinners, hunting parties, and furtive liaisons has recently been turned on its head by miracles, healings, and phenomena beyond Ted’s comprehension. As the mysteries deepen, The Hippopotamus builds into “a deliciously wicked and amusing little fable” (The New York Times).
Stephen Fry's charmingly misanthropic send-up of the English mystery features an unlikely but necessary hero: Ted Wallace, AKA the Hippopotamus, a failed and disolute poet, recently fired theater critic, and muckraker of modern irrationality, whose war against the unreasonable finds sudden purpose investigating a series of supposed miracles at a mansion in the country.
"I’ve suffered for my art, now it’s your turn.” So begins the tale of Ted Wallace, unaffectionately known as the Hippopotamus. Failed poet, failed theater critic, failed father and husband, Ted is a shameless womanizer, drinks too much, and is at odds in his cranky but maddeningly logical way with most of modern life. Fired from his newspaper, Ted seeks a few months’ repose and free liquor at Swafford Hall, the country mansion of his old friend Michael Logan. This world of boozy dinners, hunting parties, and furtive liaisons has recently been turned on its head by miracles, healings, and phenomena beyond Ted’s comprehension. As the mysteries deepen, The Hippopotamus builds into “a deliciously wicked and amusing little fable” (The New York Times).
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesThe Hippopotamus Reviews
3.0
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fry’s intriguing take on the rise in modern day faith healers and those that feed into their (perhaps deluded) beliefs is comical.
I have never read a book that has made me oscillate through such an extensive emotional range in such a short period of time. Enjoyed the twist at the end and felt it provided a well-rounded conclusion to the story.
I would definitely be cautious about who I recommend this book to due to certain subject matters (Lilac…).”
“Book club read”
“Started and finished date – 18.11.25 to 21.11.25.
My rating – Three Stars.
This book is okay read but I was bit bored while reading and I think people who like everyone in this room will someday be dead by Emily Austin or night theater by Vikram Paralkar may like is book. The cover of the book was okay, but it could be better, and I think the colour palette at was used on the cover of book was fine. The writing was okay, and the writing took some time to get used to it also the ending of book was fine.
I think the setting of the book was okay and the atmosphere was fine, but it was bit blend. I think the plot was pretty good and it kept me guessing. I found the paced in the book was well structured and steady paced. I try to like the characters, but I Couldn't and I think the characters needed to be flash out bit more. I think the relationship between characters needed to flash out bit more.”
About Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is an actor, producer, director, and writer who has appeared in numerous TV series and movies, including Jeeves and Wooster, Wilde, Gosford Park, V for Vendetta and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. He is the bestselling author of four novels, as well as several works of nonfiction, and divides his time between New York and the UK.
Other books by Stephen Fry
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