Rogue Male Audiobook By Geoffrey Household cover art

Rogue Male

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Rogue Male

By: Geoffrey Household
Narrated by: Robin Browne
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Rogue Male is one of the classic thrillers of the 20th century. It's a gripping adventure on the themes of liberty, tyranny, and the ethics of political violence.

An Englishman plans to assassinate the dictator of a European country. But he is foiled at the last moment and falls into the hands of ruthless and inventive torturers. They devise for him an ingenious and diplomatic death but, for once, they bungle the job and he escapes. But England provides no safety from his pursuers - and the Rogue Male must strip away all the trappings of status and civilization as the hunter becomes a hunted animal.

Please note: This is a vintage recording. The audio quality may not be up to modern day standards.

©1939 Geoffrey Household (P)2010 RNIB Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Mystery

Critic reviews

100 Must-Read Thrillers (International Thriller Writers)
Riveting Plot • Captivating Suspense • Satisfying Conclusion • Unique Storyline • Moral Depth • Clear Narration
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This is one of the (many) books I have loved. I read it first when I was about 12 and the plot and some of its scenes have lived in my head for a very long time.

It is very English.

It is very 30's.

It is very good.

It's Englishness and it's 30'sness mean that some of its language and some of its sensibilities will jar on many 21st century minds. Get over it. The point of historical texts is to let us see where we came from and this does that well.

The writing is clear and direct. The language is simple and the descriptions are concise. The story is simple in concept but deep enough to stay interesting.

It translates well to audio and Browne's narration is clear and without excessive characterisation.

This will make it to the repeat listen list with no problem.

An Englishman's ditch is his castle

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I read this book 50 years ago when I was in my teens. I was captivated by the story and hooked on the suspense. When I saw it listed on Audible I thought I would see if my memories of the book were justified. After listening to the audio version I can confirm that the story is as riveting as I remember and the narrator brings it to captivating life.

50 years on, just as good or better

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Story is very unique and quite creative. I would definitely recommend it, and I usually don’t like this type of book.

Very unique

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once I started listening to this audiobook, I could not put it down. Wonderfully spoken.

An enthralling audiobook.

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Don’t bail on this book as I almost did. The escape and evasion of the protagonist seems interminable, but the book builds to a very satisfying conclusion. Terrific narration.

Patience will be rewarded

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Plot: an Englishman is hunting in Bavaria when he looks through his scope and Hitler appears.

Pre- World War 2.....an Englishman is hunting in the Bavarian woods and spots Hitler's home the Berghof. Through his scope, he can see and even shoot Der Fuhrer if he chooses too. But is discovered and is tortured by the Gestapo to get a confession. He is able to escape and on an English Ship but finds Nazi spies are on his trail. Back in England where he becomes the "hunted'. Excellent well written plot and story. Keeps you interested from beginning to end. 5 Stars all the way. 2 movies were based on this story. Rogue Male and Man Hunt. 5 Stars all the way.

Englishman has plans for Hitler ~ intrigue follows

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I found this British book from 1939 a very interesting novel. it's about a man who goes undercover and goes to assassinate a political official.

Male

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Household entertains, instructs, and puzzles the reader while gently raising intelligent doubts about our unquestioned political allegiances. The title bears reflecting upon.

A gripping tale full of unexpected twists

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I usually enjoy books that are told by the hero or main character. Like, I did this and not, he did that. This book is written that way. I got this book for less than 4 dollars and consider it a little gem. It is a bit fantastic that so many people would chase this guy but still I suspended disbelief and just enjoyed it. It may not go down in the great books category, but it may go down in the great books category for four dollars.

Nice book, first person, not fly on wall

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"He who has learned to not to intrude his emotions upon his fellows has also learned not to intrude them upon himself."
- Rogue Male, Geoffrey Household

I've never read Household before. I picked this one up because it was an early thriller (published in 1939)* and was made into a movie (Man Hunt) directed by Frtiz Lang. I was scrolling through NYRB's offerings and I guess the moment was just right. The novel is short, interesting and well-paced (meat and potatoes for any book considered a thriller). It gave me similar vibes to 'The 39 Steps' which was published in 1915, and which I can't imagine wasn't an influence to Household. 'The 39 Steps' is set in a pre-WWI Europe, while 'Rogue Male' was set in a pre-WWII Europe. Rogue Male also seemed to possess similar qualities to the short story 'The Most Dangerous Game' which was published in 1924.

When I think back to my childhood I also felt it echoed in 'My Side of the Mountain' (p. 1959) and 'Deathwatch' (p 1973). Looking backwards, you can see how 'My Side of the Mountain' possesses some influence from 'Rogue Male' (replace a cave with a tree and a cat with a hawk). But the stronger relationship is definitely between 'The Most Dangerous Game' and 'Deathwatch'.

Anyway, enough nostalgia. The book is a must for those interested in early thrillers and cat & mouse novels. It isn't heavy and is a nice palate cleanser between other novels.

* I also apologize of being a bit OCD on publication dates here. I was just curious about how all of thesse books aligned in time and space.

All War is Personal

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