The Road to Understanding


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.5 stars; 147 reviews)

"If Burke Denby had not been given all the frosted cakes and toy shotguns he wanted at the age of ten, it might not have been so difficult to convince him at the age of twenty that he did not want to marry Helen Barnet."

"Of course the inevitable happened. However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them. In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding. They were miles apart at the start—miles apart in tastes, traditions, and environment. In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence—a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness." (From the book)

This all sounds complicated. This complicated situation is conveyed to us by the couple and some of their friends. However, more complications rise when a daughter is caught in the middle - a clever and wonderful girl who had to endure a sad and bitter life: live with her abnormal mother and be employed by her father, without knowing it's him. Her parents know what's best for her, but does Betty know what's best for herself? Will Betty be able to forgive her parents? (Summary by Stav Nisser) (9 hr 41 min)

Chapters

01 - Dedication & Chapter 1: Frosted Cakes and Shotguns 36:14 Read by Mike Pelton
02 - An Only Son 15:52 Read by Bellona Times
03 - Honeymoon Days 17:29 Read by Bellona Times
04 - Nest-Building 28:28 Read by Mike Pelton
05 - The Wife 22:25 Read by Mike Pelton
06 - The Husband 11:41 Read by Mike Pelton
07 - Stumbling-Blocks 32:40 Read by Mike Pelton
08 - Diverging Ways 32:36 Read by Mike Pelton
09 - A Bottle of Ink 50:15 Read by Mike Pelton
10 - By Advice of Counsel 26:36 Read by Mike Pelton
11 - In Quest of the Stars 13:59 Read by Mike Pelton
12 - The Trail of the Ink 26:20 Read by Mike Pelton
13 - A Woman's Won't 16:50 Read by Mike Pelton
14 - An Understudy 24:05 Read by Mike Pelton
15 - A Woman's Will 23:02 Read by Mike Pelton
16 - Emergencies 25:59 Read by Mike Pelton
17 - Pink Teas to Flighty Blondes 11:04 Read by Mike Pelton
18 - A Little Bunch of Diaries 30:20 Read by Mike Pelton
19 - The Stage is Set 13:35 Read by Mike Pelton
20 - The Curtain Rises 14:11 Read by Mike Pelton
21 - The Play Begins 18:00 Read by Mike Pelton
22 - Actor and Audience 24:29 Read by Mike Pelton
23 - 'The Plot Thickens' 12:46 Read by Mike Pelton
24 - Counter-Plots 13:49 Read by Mike Pelton
25 - Enigmas 14:52 Read by Mike Pelton
26 - The Road to Understanding 24:21 Read by Mike Pelton

Reviews


(3.5 stars)

As much as I like many of Eleanor H Porter's writings I find that, like in several of her other books, this story drags along for literally the entire book, every one feeling misunderstood and guilty that they aren't good enough, only to suddenly within the last ten words of the story to magically find that they understand everything, I find it far more trying than rewarding. The reader was very good!

An intriguing tale


(5 stars)

This story was quite enjoyable. I am a hasty reader so halfway through, I looked up the book on my kindle. After downloading it, I read the rest as quickly as I could. I do think the ending was a bit rushed for all of the ups and downs, and twists and turns the story follows. Otherwise, it was very good and I reccomend it.

Rigorously Roaming Roller Coster~like Reasonings


(4 stars)

This Tale of True Love's Recipe has It's Main Ingredients Skillfully Entangled To Represent The Soulfully Sacrificial Elements of Self Reflection & Rejection Required To Achieve The Too Often Long~Awaited Realization of Loves Fullest Satisfaction

A great storyline well read


(4.5 stars)

I really enjoyed this book, a tale of marriage and the road it takes you on. The reader was excellent too.

Unsatisfied with Ending


(4 stars)

Found the ending unjust to the suffering. Do not feel that the proper and even close to real understanding was faced.


(2 stars)

very very unrealistic plot an extremely drawn-out story that needed a lot of editing definitely not one of Miss Porter's better works

lovely lovely story


(5 stars)

it could almost be in today's society in the 2000s such a lovely plot with the typical tear-jerker end

Toxically Self-Centered


(3 stars)

There are plenty of bad marriages in real life, I'm not sure why I listened to this one.