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Auriol, or The Elixir of Life

Gelesen von Sonia

(4,367 Sterne; 15 Bewertungen)

If you stumble upon the elixir of life, which provides you with eternal life, youth and health, then it's rather a bad idea to spoil this great gift by signing a pact with the devil on top of it to receive great financial fortune as well. Auriol Darcy, the protagonist of our story, has in fact made this mistake, but soon finds out that the price to pay is much too high to bear. And getting out of a pact with the devil is never easy.
William Harrison Ainsworth's novel is divided into three parts and the final part provides quite a surprise twist ending, which will not be revealed here. The surrealistic plot and setting and especially the psychological elements give this novel quite a modern touch, considering it's been written as early as 1844. The colourful characterization of some shady people from the lower classes of society lend a humouristic touch to the story which provides a nice contrast to the otherwise gloomy gothic atmosphere of the main plot. - Summary by Sonia (5 hr 16 min)

Chapters

Prologue (1599) - Dr. Lamb

34:50

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Book the First: Ebba - Chapter I. The ruined house in the Vauxhall Road

16:10

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Book 1 - Chapter II. The dog-fancier

25:20

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Book 1 - Chapter III. The hand and the cloak

23:39

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Book 1 - Chapter IV. The iron-merchant's daughter

13:36

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Book 1 - Chapter V. The meeting near the statue

9:26

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Book 1 - Chapter VI. The Charles the Second spaniel

14:48

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Book 1 - Chapter VII. The hand again !

8:36

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Book 1 - Chapter VIII. The barber of London

12:14

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Book 1 - Chapter IX. The moon in the first quarter

8:39

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Book 1 - Chapter X. The statue at Charing Cross

15:46

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Book 1 - Chapter XI. Preparations

6:33

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Book 1 - Chapter XII. The chamber of mystery

10:38

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Intermean (1800) - Chapter I. The tomb of the Rosicrucian

11:49

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Intermean - Chapter II. The compact

11:12

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Intermean - Chapter III. Irresolution

6:32

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Intermean - Chapter IV. Edith Talbot

10:30

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Intermean - Chapter V. The seventh night

6:14

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Book the Second: Cyprian Rougemont - Chapter I. The cell

9:05

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Book 2 - Chapter II. The enchanted chairs

18:08

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Book 2 - Chapter III. Gerard Paston

8:06

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Book 2 - Chapter IV. The pit

11:54

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Book 2 - Chapter V. New perplexities

9:37

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Book 2 - Chapter VI. Doctor Lamb again

13:36

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Bewertungen

exceedingly entertaining

(5 Sterne)

Thank you, Sonia for a clear, professional reading. Like listening to a radio drama. All characters are given their own voices so no problem knowing who is speaking, An assortment of dialects and languages all pronounced correctly. The story rolls along at a good pace throughout and is amusing and entertaining. Sounds as though it is a much more modern book than it is. Liked the ending- a twist that raises questions. Definitely marked for another listen. Sonia, you deserve a medal.

An entertaining gothic tale

(4 Sterne)

A lot of gothic romance tropes featured in this story but it is still memorable and interesting to listen to. Many strange quirky characters and setting descriptions. Expressively read.

good tale with a twist

(4 Sterne)

nice story ,good narration considering English not her first language.

Fascinating story.

(5 Sterne)

Well-told tale. Divinely read! Many, many thanks.