The Mother


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(3.9 stars; 27 reviews)

Life is difficult for The Mother, with a household of husband and children, when her crone of a mother-in-law comes to live with them. It is a life of drudgery and toil. But a mother will do anything to protect her children, despite the pain and suffering she may endure, when, without warning, her restless husband abandons her. The shame, the toil, the love... all demonstrate the resilience of a woman in the face of adversity. It has been described as one of the best works of fiction of the 20th century,

This is in the Public Domain in the United States. - Summary by Lynne T. (7 hr 59 min)

Chapters

I 32:30 Read by Joann Seah
II 12:56 Read by Joann Seah
III 9:49 Read by Rita Boutros
IV 45:50 Read by Rita Boutros
V 54:14 Read by Rita Boutros
VI 12:57 Read by wrlyreading
VII 9:35 Read by docdlmartin
VIII 13:56 Read by docdlmartin
IX 28:54 Read by Joann Seah
X 13:31 Read by Joann Seah
XI 46:16 Read by docdlmartin
XII 16:04 Read by rrlyrae
XIII 14:31 Read by Michael Carter
XIV 29:49 Read by Rosemary McDonald (1938-2025)
XV 28:30 Read by Rosemary McDonald (1938-2025)
XVI 31:30 Read by docdlmartin
XVII 15:39 Read by Rosemary McDonald (1938-2025)
XVIII 10:05 Read by Rosemary McDonald (1938-2025)
XIX 53:21 Read by docdlmartin

Reviews

well, not what I expected


(3.5 stars)

I think the point here is that the same sun that melts wax also hardens clay. Responding to the unexpected and unavoidable with pride and anger and lies to protect the ones you love will turn you into the very poison you were trying to protect them from. One reader in particular was staccato and robotic with a cadence that hurt my ears, but at the same time, she sounded like a sweet grandmother struggling to read her grandkids to sleep and that made her endearing. Still, it would have had another star from me if it didn't leave me with a headache. just a little one.

Heartbreaking


(5 stars)

I haven't read as much Pearl Buck as I would like. I was not familiar with this story. It is completely compelling. It takes you right into the world of old China. The isolation, ignorance and backbreaking work. The good and the bad mixed in the characters. Well read. Thank you.


(3 stars)

My rating is because some readers made impossible for me to listen to some of the chapters. Please listen to your own recordings and ponder if you would really like to listen to a book read by yourself. I know the intentions are good, but not worth if you are spoiling the enjoyment of those who choose these books. docdlmartin please find another hobby. Thanks


(4 stars)

The book is very good but the reading wasn’t as good


(2 stars)

The readers were undeserving of this fine literature