The Devil's Garden
William Babington Maxwell
Read by Tom Weiss
Risque for its time, but tame by today's standards, The Devil's Garden is a story of passion and mystery. William Dale, the main character of the story is Postmaster of Rodhaven. He is introduced as an honest peasant of uncompromising temper, whose rough nature is ever softened by his pretty wife Mavis. Mavis is an orphan raised by her Aunt Petherick. Known as Will, and referred to as Dale throughout the story, he gets into trouble at the post office but thanks to the intervention of the local magnet of Rodhaven, he is cleared and reinstated. At the height of his joy, his wife meets him in London. Together they dine at a good restaurant and attend a music hall performance. Dale's evening in London is transformed into a catastrophe when he learns a past secret about Mavis that threatens his marriage. Confronted with this secret, Will and Mavis struggle to make their marriage work and become successful. Ironically, Dale is eventually confronted by the same scenario.
The novel was a top ten Publisher's Weekly Best Seller in 1914. The book was banned in London. At times, the book seems slow and the listener may wonder what point the author is trying to make. Then suddenly, Maxwell sends you into a frenzy with something unexpected. (Tom Weiss) (0 hr 9 min)
Chapters
Chapter 1 | 31:25 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 2 | 25:33 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 3 | 20:30 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 4 | 26:12 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 5 | 22:11 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 6 | 14:17 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 7 | 33:02 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 8 | 33:37 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 9 | 26:20 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 10 | 18:28 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 11 | 16:28 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 12 | 13:51 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 13 | 36:21 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 14 | 16:40 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 15 | 14:34 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 16 | 15:20 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 17 | 15:07 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 18 | 14:07 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 19 | 21:45 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 20 | 5:24 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 21 | 9:51 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 22 | 8:45 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 23 | 22:25 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 24 | 14:44 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 25 | 5:36 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 26 | 18:33 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 27 | 22:02 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 28 | 28:37 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 29 | 31:47 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 30 | 33:21 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 31 | 34:18 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 32 | 27:48 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 33 | 13:09 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 34 | 21:59 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Chapter 35 | 15:19 | Read by Tom Weiss |
Reviews
Sunny
This story was rather unusual and quite drawn out in the middle. I stayed with it and I am still not sure about the ending.
worth a listen
Shelly
At first it reads like a tale of almost every day country folk but events are weaved into it which set one wondering about the ethics of the main character. The story is racked up at a good pace after the middle. The ending is unexpected. I think it makes a comment on theme of good and evil.