The Very Best of Ingersoll Lockwood

I’ll admit: I approached *The Very Best of Ingersoll Lockwood* expecting a novelty—a quirky historical footnote to giggle over with friends who love ‘what if?’ conspiracy theories. What I got instead was a genuinely compelling listen, thanks in large part to Molly Mae’s narration. She doesn’t just read Lockwood’s florid prose; she *performs* it, modulating between the bombastic grandeur of a Victorian serial and the dry, almost sarcastic tone of someone who’s seen this all before. Her Baron Trump isn’t a caricature but a brash, oddly charming figure—equal parts P.G. Wodehouse fop and, well, *that other guy*. It’s a tightrope walk, and she nails it. The stories themselves are a mixed bag, but in the best way. ‘The Travels and Adventures of Little Baron Trump’ is the standout, a fever dream of steampunk-esque inventions and bizarre social commentary that feels like Jules Verne written by a man who’d just invented the concept of trolling. The pacing drags in a few of the shorter pieces (Lockwood’s love of digressive asides can test patience), and the audiobook’s chapter breaks sometimes feel abrupt, as if the editor hesitated to interrupt the flow. But the production quality is flawless—no distracting edits or volume spikes—and the overall effect is hypnotic. By the end, you’re left wondering: Was Lockwood a forgotten genius, a lucky guesser, or just a guy who stumbled into the uncanny valley of history? Either way, this audiobook turns that question into eight hours of deliciously weird fun.