Literary Fiction Audiobooks | Literature

"The Great Gatsby, set in the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties on Long Island, New York, is a poignant critique of the American Dream. The novel is not just a love story but a tragic tale of ambition, class, and the illusion of social mobility, encapsulated in the era's excess and disillusionment. When the novel was first published in 1925, it did not enjoy immediate commercial success. Only around 20,000 copies were sold in its first year, and Fitzgerald himself considered it a commercial disappointment. By the time of his death in 1940, Fitzgerald felt his work, including Gatsby, had been forgotten, with sales being so low that he was reportedly buying copies himself to keep it in print. The novel's fortunes changed dramatically during World War II when the Council on Books in Wartime chose it for distribution to American soldiers, printing over 155,000 copies. This initiative significantly boosted its popularity and recognition, transforming it from a largely forgotten work into an American classic. Today, The Great Gatsby sells approximately 500,000 copies annually, with total sales reaching over 25 million copies worldwide since its original publication. It has become Scribner's best-selling title, illustrating its enduring appeal and commercial success. Overall, The Great Gatsby has not only achieved commercial success but has also left a profound and lasting impact on American literature and culture, embodying the complexities and contradictions of the American experience. F. Scott Fitzgerald (September 24, 1896 – December 21, 1940) was an American novelist and short story writer, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. His works are emblematic of the Jazz Age, particularly capturing the spirit and excesses of the Roaring Twenties in America. Frank Marcopolos lives in Florida with his dog, Sparky."

F. Scott Fitzgerald (Author), Frank Marcopolos (Narrator)

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A Month of Sundays

"Really funny book. A month in the life of poor John O'Driscoll. He can't seem to do anything right in his teaching role and worries about whether he'll have a teaching job next year. His run-ins with the local priest are legendary, especially in confession! At the same time, he longs for the attentions of his female colleague. All comes good in the end, even after looking after a trainee teacher with an interesting view on teaching, and with his stomach making all sorts of noises and protestations after repeated nights out on the town with his incorrigible friend."

John Owens (Author), John Delino Ziegler Jr. (Narrator)

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A Pennine Incident

"This is a tense portrayal of a mystery in Martin's past, and its affect on his life and relationships - chiefly between him and his wife Jennifer, and another couple, Stephen and Jacqui. The main themes explored in this novel are the impact of a single traumatic event on the life of an individual, the fragility of friendship, the effects of aging and changes in personality on relationships, and the impact of class origin and childhood upbringing on later life, all played out in the seeming tranquility of the Yorkshire Dales."

Richard Ayres (Author), Tom Fria (Narrator)

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[French] - Anna Karenina - Livre Audio

"«Anna Karenina» est un roman monumental de Léon Tolstoï, publié entre 1875 et 1877. L'œuvre raconte la vie d'Anna, une femme de la haute société russe qui remet en cause les normes sociales de son époque en poursuivant une relation passionnée avec le comte Vronski. Son histoire, marquée par la passion destructrice et la lutte intérieure, contraste avec celle de Konstantin Lévine, un propriétaire terrien qui cherche le bonheur dans une vie simple, le travail agricole et l'amour conjugal. Tolstoï tisse habilement plusieurs intrigues parallèles, explorant des thèmes comme l'amour, la fidélité, la famille et le sens de la vie. Le roman met également en lumière les inégalités sociales, les changements dans la Russie impériale et les dilemmes moraux auxquels font face ses personnages. «Anna Karenina» est une réflexion profonde sur la condition humaine, mêlant drame, psychologie et critique sociale."

Livres audio en français, Léo Tolstoï (Author), Camille Martin (Narrator)

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10 Masterpieces You Have to Read Before You Die, Vol. 2: The Gold-Bug, Romeo And Juliet, Faust, The

"This book contains the following works: 1. Edgar Allan Poe: The Gold Bug 2. William Shakespeare: Romeo And Juliet 3. Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: Faust 4. Mark Twain: Adventures of Tom Sawyer 5. Leo Tolstoy: The Death of Ivan Ilyich (Translator: Constance Garnett) 6. Arthur Conan Doyle: The Lost World 7. Henry James: The Turn of the Screw 8. Antoine de Saint-Exupery: The Little Prince (Translator: Marina Zhigalova) 9. Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray 10. Kate Chopin: The Awakening"

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry James, Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, Kate Chopin, Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, William Shakespeare (Author), Abigail Reno, David Miles, Kelli Winkler, Luana Marantz, Paul Gibson, Rick Walz, Sharon Plummer, Simon Jackson (Narrator)

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The Alcoholic: A Hero Contends for his Soul

"Can a modern-day hero defeat addiction? Some people are born with seemingly limitless talent, be it in their intellectual capacities, athletic prowess, artistic abilities, or personal aplomb. Roland Hazzard is one of those rare individuals. Nothing should stand in his way. Yet he suffers from one glaring deficiency—he can't control and enjoy alcohol. His addiction threatens to destroy the promise of his many gifts. Now fate throws Roland an opportunity that could change everything. A notorious serial killer is stalking a woman in his building and breaks into Roland's apartment by mistake. Roland's slaying of the monster makes him an instant celebrity and he cultivates an outrageous vigilante persona that, on the one hand, scorns the traditional news media and, on the other, spawns a huge internet following. His fame attracts more violence, and the violence more attention, until Roland is in constant demand and making a lot of easy money. Roland's drunken behavior eventually gets him into serious trouble, and a secret crime from his past comes to light. Will he overcome his self-destructive nature? "

T. S. Flanagan (Author), T. S. Flanagan (Narrator)

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[German] - Vier halbe Amerikaner: Roman | Eine mitreißende Story über das echte Leben in den 80ern,

"Christian, Dana, Franz und Mitch sind halbe Amerikaner. Als vaterlose Kinder deutscher Mütter und amerikanischer Soldaten identifizieren sich die vier Freunde auf tragikomische Weise mit dem Land der Väter, das sich aus Amerikaerzählungen, Hollywoodfilmen und eigenen fantastischen Vorstellungen zusammensetzt. Als Christian zu Beginn der Semesterferien unverhofft ein Sparbuch in die Hände fällt, bricht er kurzerhand alleine in die USA auf. Um seinen Vater zu finden? Um endlich ein ganzer Amerikaner zu werden? Und was wird aus seiner kaum gelebten Liebe zu Dana? Das verheißungsvolle Land präsentiert sich anders als erwartet und es beginnt eine abenteuerliche Reise, auf der er nicht nur seltsame Autohändler, freiheitsliebende Musikstudenten, Outdoor-Laden-Besitzer mit ungewöhnlichen Jobangeboten und eine besondere Ausreißerin kennenlernt, sondern sich vor allem fragt, was dieses richtige Amerika eigentlich sein soll – und wer er selbst ist. Ein Roadtrip-Roman, der die Dimensionen von Herkunft, Identität, Projektion und Erwachsenwerden umkreist."

Carsten Tabel (Author), Carsten Tabel (Narrator)

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Avonessia: Thelandwithoutlabels

"In a dystopian future on an island that has healing properties that lets you live for upto 200 years, a government rule doesn’t allow women to give birth to children, and all parents can do is adopt a child. However, to adopt a child, you must first win the child’s trust. Bianca struggles hard to win the heart of Esma, an abandoned child who lives in an orphanage. As the community shares stories of their generational trauma at the dinner circle at the beach around a bonfire, Bianca hopes she can win the heart of the child she wishes to adopt. Avonessia is the land without labels, where the parents are expected to be caregivers to the children who will bring about the anvil of the golden age. Iara, the forest wise woman, comes and assists Bianca, guiding her and then once again disappearing into the marshlands. These marshlands harbor the glowing green embers of Avon, the life guving algae that supports healing and slows aging, creating a bio-bubble of health and longevity for the citizens of Avonessia. "

Anshu Chugh (Author), Noel Rodrigues (Narrator)

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The Carbonels

"'The Carbonels' is a compelling historical novel by Charlotte M. Yonge that transports readers to early 19th-century England. It follows the life of Captain Edmund Carbonel and his wife, Mary, as they begin their new life together at Greenhow Farm. The novel explores their ambitious efforts to enhance the rural community around them, particularly through the establishment of a Sunday school. Facing the skepticism and traditional attitudes of the local populace, the Carbonels' story delves into themes of social improvement, community dynamics, and the challenges of initiating change in a traditional setting. Rich with detailed character interactions and vivid descriptions of the English countryside, this novel provides a nuanced portrayal of striving for social betterment against the backdrop of rural English life."

Charlotte M. Yonge (Author), Arthur Merrick (Narrator)

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[French] - Les liaisons dangereuses - Livre Audio

"Publié en 1782, Les Liaisons dangereuses de Pierre Choderlos de Laclos est un roman épistolaire qui explore les intrigues et la manipulation dans la haute société française du XVIIIe siècle. À travers les lettres échangées entre la marquise de Merteuil et le vicomte de Valmont, le récit dévoile les jeux de pouvoir, les passions destructrices et l'immoralité de l'aristocratie de l'époque. Les personnages principaux, dotés d'un esprit brillant mais dénué de scrupules, incarnent les excès et les contradictions de leur milieu. Ce roman, à la fois fascinant et choquant, a été interprété comme une critique sociale de son époque, mais il reste intemporel grâce à sa profondeur psychologique et sa finesse littéraire. Aujourd'hui encore, Les Liaisons dangereuses est considéré comme un chef-d'œuvre, régulièrement adapté au théâtre, au cinéma et à la télévision."

Choderlos de Laclos, Livres audio en français (Author), Camille Martin (Narrator)

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Dirty Diana

"The first in the Dirty Diana trilogy – a story of desire within marriage from the stars of the hit feminist erotic podcast, Dirty Diana … 'Deliciously entertaining, funny, tantalizing' Demi Moore Diana Wood has a job she likes and a husband, Oliver, she loves. They’re in married love, which isn’t exactly the same as love love, but it’s fine. Or is it? Is fine good enough? With sex and intimacy more like a memory, Diana decides to rediscover the deeply feeling woman she once was, embarking on a journey of art, sensuality – and sexual fantasy. But does rediscovering her own desires means dissolving the safe life she’s so carefully cultivated? And is it worth it…? Intelligent, entertaining, and contemporary, Dirty Diana explores female desire in a fun and honest way – and also explores how two partners can find their way back to each other through perseverance, connection and sex. Readers are already loving Dirty Diana… 'Absolutely loved this book. It focuses on the female desire, ambitions and needs and wants out of their lives. It looks at marriage and relationships from the point of view of a woman which I found to be a refreshing take.'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I read this book in a day, I couldn’t put it down!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This is perfect for a holiday read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Jen Besser (Author), Austenne Grey, Beth Hicks, Dawn Harvey, Esme Ramos, Jen Zhao, Kimberly Alexis (Narrator)

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[Croatian] - Sjećanje šume

"Priča o odrastanju u, već prepoznatljivo Karakaševoj Lici, gdje nije lako biti drugačiji. Glavni junak romana je dječak kojeg pratimo kroz različite etape odrastanja, a dogodovštine iz njegovog života nam opisuju atmosferu jednog patrijarhalnog društva gde nema previše mjesta za emocije. Dječak je rođen s nekom srčanom manom koja mu pričinjava probleme. Njegovo je otac prototip autoritarnog muškarca ovih prostora, a sin će provesti djetinjstvo žudeći za bilo kakvom lijepom riječi ili priznanjem. Roman 'Sjećanje šume' dobitnik je Nagrade 'Kočićevo pero' te prve Nagrade Fric, koju za najbolju neprevedenu prozu protekle godine dodjeljuje tjednik Express."

Damir Karakaš (Author), Lana Zdravkovic (Narrator)

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Literary Fiction Audiobooks in Literature