Better Angel
Richard Meeker
Read by Greg W.
In 1933, Forman Brown wrote, under the pseudonym Richard Meeker, a controversial novel called Better Angel, about a young man coming to terms with his homosexuality. This novel is regarded as "the first American novel to present the 'gay' experience in a healthy light." (Summary by Wikipedia) (8 hr 0 min)
Chapters
| Part 1, Chapter 1 | 40:53 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 1, Chapter 2 | 17:06 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 1, Chapter 3 | 32:45 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 1, Chapter 4 | 12:26 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 2, Chapter 1 | 8:52 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 2, Chapter 2 | 25:28 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 2, Chapter 3 | 18:03 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 2, Chapter 4 | 27:29 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 2, Chapter 5 | 17:17 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 2, Chapter 6 | 24:32 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 2, Chapter 7 | 33:29 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 3, Chapter 1 | 48:41 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 3, Chapter 2 | 19:07 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 3, Chapter 3 | 26:10 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 3, Chapter 4 | 16:20 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 4, Chapter 1 | 16:21 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 4, Chapter 2 | 11:11 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 4, Chapter 3 | 10:36 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 4, Chapter 4 | 13:28 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 4, Chapter 5 | 34:59 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 4, Chapter 6 | 16:21 | Read by Greg W. |
| Part 4, Chapter 7 | 8:51 | Read by Greg W. |
Reviews
Subtle and inspiring novel - a must-listen.
aposiopesis
Coming-to-terms, coming-out... The gay Bildungsroman now crowds the shelves, but in 1933 a book like "Better Angel" was a rarity. Then the few gay voices in fiction (Proust, Radclyffe Hall) tended to be brave but preachy on the subject: self-justifying, self-diagnosing, even self-hating. Richard Meeker's 1933 novel is a lovely exception. The characters naturally reflect contemporary ideas of the homosexual but they are appealing individuals; people trying to love and be loved. The hero is an innocent, a cautious introvert aching with loneliness and desperate for love and trust. His good looks and artistic talent win him friends. But is the more worldly David the one he needs to be ultimately happy? Greg W's narration is restrained, measured - ideally suited to the character of the hero. He draws you into the story beautifully and, in my case, sent me back to the beginning for an immediate second reading.
Granny G
Beautifully written story and great reading. Amazing how many old novels are still (sadly) so relevant on the 'big issues' - racism, feminism, slavery, homosexuality - do we (humans) simply ignore the voices in the wilderness that demand we change?
Wonderful Story.
Mic Sap
This is a beautiful story.
Touching Story
A LibriVox Listener
I can imagine several of my past students over thirty years, when I hear this book.
James Sutton
An all-time favorite. 4th time to listen to it.