Miss Lulu Bett
Zona Gale
Read by Jacquerie
Lulu Bett is a spinster, living at the turn of the 20th century essentially as a servant with her sister Ina and brother-in-law Dwight. She is, uncomplainingly, "the family beast of burden," living in the background and tending to the family's needs. It therefore surprises everyone, Lulu included, when Dwight's visiting brother Ninian proposes to her, and she accepts. The surprise is even greater when Lulu returns home alone from their honeymoon trip, with the news that Ninian was already legally married before he married her. What follows brings Lulu into conflict with the self-satisfied Dwight, forcing her to choose how she defines herself, with unexpected results. This novel is the basis of the 1921 play for which Zona Gale became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama. The original ending of the play, in which Lulu gains freedom by walking away from the security of the family, was considered so controversial that a new ending was written. In this, the book, we see the author's original intent. (Summary by Christine Dufour) (4 hr 39 min)
Chapters
01 - Chapter I - April | 31:21 | Read by Jacquerie |
02 - Chapter II - May | 40:25 | Read by Jacquerie |
03 - Chapter III - June | 20:58 | Read by Jacquerie |
04 - Chapter IV - July | 19:38 | Read by Jacquerie |
05 - Chapter V - August | 43:56 | Read by Jacquerie |
06 - Chapter VI, Part 1 - September | 24:18 | Read by Jacquerie |
07 - Chapter VI, Part 2 - September | 19:47 | Read by Jacquerie |
08 - Chapter VI, Part 3 - September | 26:35 | Read by Jacquerie |
09 - Chapter VI, Part 4 - September | 30:55 | Read by Jacquerie |
10 - Chapter VI, Part 5 - September | 21:49 | Read by Jacquerie |
Reviews
Great story
SR
this was an absorbing tale with mostly well-rounded characters (an exception being one involved in the afterthought ending), told with some of Jane Austen's wryness. I like the sound of the original ending best but am happy with this 'amended" one! Such a good reading - many thanks to Jacquerie
Good Story
jbrown
While the characters seemed uninteresting in the beginning they were redeemed a few chapters in. The story is a unique perspective on the utter selfishness of people. Their comeuppance is dealt in a surprising way at the end. The heroine has her day or does she?
the story is fair . However I think i would hav enjoyed it more
should be required reading in out schools
Miss Lulu Bett
David R. Smith
Well read, fun listen - thanks!
Enjoyed
DonR
A sweet story and a good reader.