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LibriVox recording of The Magnificent Ambersons, by Booth Tarkington.
Read by Mark F. Smith.
In a world where a gentleman’s life is defined more “by being, rather than by doing,” a family’s reputation can be compromised if it is not guarded carefully, and the sole heir of the Amberson family is proving himself to be a difficult person. Expected by the family to carry on its proud traditions, George Amberson Minafer is trusted implicitly. But though rich relatives provide the elegant suits, the handsome young man who wears them is filled with little but appearances. And this happens in spite of, or perhaps, because of, his mother’s selfless love that places him above her own happiness.
As George’s uncle perceptively remarks, “life and money both behave like loose quicksilver in a nest of cracks.” With the new automobile industry transforming fortunes and coal heat transforming city air into sooty clouds, anything that stands still is apt to be run over, or at least begrimed.
What is magnificent about the Ambersons is their faithful reliance on old money and old ways in a world changing rapidly around them. Or perhaps it is the magnificence of the train-wreck created when George’s relatives, with the best intentions, shield him from the new realities and defer to all his wishes.
Booth Tarkington’s most popular novel, “The Magnificent Ambersons”, will continue to draw readers for its well-crafted portraits of what existed for just a short while – the MidWestern aristocracy.
(Summary by Mark F. Smith)
M4B format available
For more free audio books or to become a volunteer reader, visit LibriVox.org.
This audio is part of the collection: The LibriVox Free Audiobook Collection
It also belongs to collections: Audio Books & Poetry; Community Audio
Artist/Composer: Booth Tarkington
Date: 2009-08-14
Source: Librivox recording of a public-domain text
Keywords: librivox; literature; audiobook; Booth Tarkington; The Magnificent Ambersons
Creative Commons license: Public Domain
| Whole Item | Format | Size |
| magnificent_ambersons_0908_librivox_128kb.m3u | 128kbps M3U | Stream |
| magnificent_ambersons_0908_librivox_64kb_mp3.zip | 64Kbps MP3 ZIP | 310.9 MB |
| Information | Format | Size |
| magnificent_ambersons_0908_librivox_files.xml | Metadata | [file] |
| magnificent_ambersons_0908_librivox_meta.xml | Metadata | 2.9 KB |
| magnificent_ambersons_0908_librivox_reviews.xml | Metadata | 2.6 KB |
| Other Files | Unknown | ItemBitTorrent |
| magnificent_ambersons_0908_librivox.json |
36.7 KB
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| magnificent_ambersons_0908_librivox_files.xml |
24.3 KB
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Reviewer:
Sayeth -
Subject:
Great reading, okay book.
The novel starts out well, introducing a family who has made their fortune in building up the commercial and residential sections of their town during the late 1800's. In the first few chapters, Tarkington beautifully sets up a pair of potential romances as well as the seeds of conflict. He then squanders the entire middle part of the book by simply reiterating the characterizations that he so efficiently established at the beginning, while beating the reader over the head with the fact that automobiles have changed the face of America. The changes in society due to new transportation could have been an interesting thesis, but very little happens in these chapters that wouldn't be improved by cutting the length. The story recovers to a satisfying conclusion in the last ten chapters or so, but not before most of my interest was lost.
Read the full review at www.freelistens.blogspot.com
Reviewer:
TheBookworm -
Subject:
A fine reading
Thanks to the reader for his effort to create this excellent version. Another classic book that's recommended by all but read by few. Bravo/brava the LibriVoxateers!
TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)
Reviewer:
bippy -
Subject:
good reader and interesting story to the end
This is the first long book I've listened to, in a 3 night span at my job I listened to the whole book and got really into it at the end. I've watched the Orson Welles movie so i had some idea of it but of course the book was much more complete. The final chapter seemed a bit odd as well as Orson Welles movie ending did and also the Hollywood reedit of it which Welles hated. It might have been better for Booth Tarkington to end the book at chapter 34 and have a later book updating George Minifer later in life and whether Lucy Morgan and he got back together etc
