The Descent of Man and Other Stories
Edith Wharton
Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
This collection of ten stories, first published in 1904, shows Edith Wharton dissecting some of the customs, habits and vagaries of courtship and marriage, particularly as practiced in the upper reaches of New York society at the turn of the twentieth century (two stories, however, are set in Italy). Fidelity is only one problem; others may arise from the machinations and emotions of the protagonists or outsiders. Wharton handles the questions with her usual gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) irony and curiosity about human behavior. (Summary by Nicholas Clifford) (7 hr 8 min)
Chapters
| 01 - Chapter I The Descent of Man | 45:46 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 02 - Chapter II The Other Two | 46:16 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 03 - Chapter III Expiation | 52:53 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 04 - Chapter IV The Lady's Maid's Bell | 47:44 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 05 - Chapter V The Mission of Jane | 43:04 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 06 - Chapter VI The Reckoning | 49:48 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 07 - Chapter VII The Letter | 38:04 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 08 - Chapter VIII The Dilettante | 22:12 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 09 - Chapter IX The Quicksand | 40:37 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 10 - Chapter X A Venetian Night's Entertainment | 41:55 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
Reviews
jenniebrown
Professor Clifford you are very missed. Your calm voice has been my favorite listen for a number of years here on LibriVox. Your intelligence and love of books is not lost on those of us who could never measure up to the education and just pure love of education and the most fabulous books ever penned.
An excellent introduction.
Elizabeth
Each story can be heard in its entirety within an hour which perfectly coincides with a drive that I need to do once a weak. They are proving to be an excellent introduction to the writing of Edith Wharton and the reader is a favourite of mine.
Wonderful!
jbrown
A collection of Edith Wharton read by Nicholas Clifford. What more is there to say!
Good Selection of Stories/Well Read
sarahm
I thought this was an excellent selection of stories; well read.
amazing
Nat
Such a great compilation of short stories. Absolutely enjoyed each one.
Really good short stories, all read very well. thank you.
TLocke
Thoroughly enjoyable
Bibliophile
Well read and thoroughly enjoyable on several levels.