Clara’s Verdict
Kate Winslet reading a darkly comic children’s story written in the tradition of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket: the combination shouldn’t need further selling, and it doesn’t. The Weirdies – Book 1 in the series of the same name – is an Audible Original that runs to just under two hours and deploys its short runtime with impressive economy. Michael Buckley’s script is confident and gleefully macabre; Winslet’s narration is a performance of genuine distinction, full of comic timing and warmth. This is, in the best possible sense, exactly what it claims to be: a very, very sad story that is also kind of funny. The 4.8-star rating from 39 reviews speaks for itself.
About the Audiobook
Barnacle, Garlic, and Melancholy Weirdie are triplets of considerable misfortune. When the entire household of Deadeye Manor – staff of 200 included – is packed up for what will prove a doomed cruise, the triplets are left behind to fend for themselves. This is a problem, because they have never had to fend for themselves even slightly. From the Our Lady of the Perpetual Side-Eye Orphanage to the suspiciously cheerful Sunshine Circle, the siblings accumulate disasters with the inevitability of characters in a particularly inspired Gothic comedy.
Buckley’s writing is in the tradition of Snicket and Dahl but has its own voice: drier, more self-aware about its own absurdity, occasionally willing to address the listener directly with mild warnings about the suitability of what they’re about to hear. The themes – individuality, belonging, the difficulty of finding a place in the world that will actually have you – are handled with a lightness that makes them land rather than lecture. At 1 hour and 43 minutes, this is a genuinely excellent option for family listening, particularly on car journeys.
The Narration
Kate Winslet is extraordinary here. She doesn’t approach the material as a celebrity lending her name to a project; she performs it, with full commitment, comedic instinct, and clear delight in the material. Each Weirdie is distinctly voiced; the tone of comic sorrow is maintained consistently; and Winslet brings just enough warmth to prevent the darkness from curdling into discomfort. Several reviewers noted laughing aloud during car journeys, which is the highest possible endorsement for family audio. This is a reminder, if one were needed, that she is a proper performer across every medium she works in.
What Readers Say
The audiobook holds an impressive 4.8-star rating from 39 reviews. Mrs R Hammond described it as “fast-paced, unusual, very funny and excellently narrated,” saying she was already looking forward to the second story. A teacher wrote that she would love to use it with her school book club, praising its exploration of individuality and belonging. M. Thurbon described listening to it on the school run with her nine-year-old daughter and “absolutely loved it,” with “lots of laughing out loud in the car.” Gima, listening in the US, found it “sillier” than expected but noted it “certainly helps shorten long drives” – a practical recommendation that many parents will appreciate.
Who Should Listen?
Perfect for children aged 8 upwards who enjoy dark humour, absurdist comedy, and stories that treat disaster as an opportunity for character. Works equally well as a family listen or a solo children’s audiobook. Given its brevity, it’s ideal for the school run, a short journey, or as an introduction to audio listening for children who haven’t yet tried it. Adults who enjoy Dahl or Snicket will find themselves laughing too – Buckley isn’t just writing for children, he’s writing alongside them. Available on Audible UK.
