Catherine De' Medici


Read by Edmund Bloxam

(3.2 stars; 5 reviews)

The Philosophical Studies from The Human Comedy (La Comedie Humaine) are a series of works that are intended as a reflection on history in part through the use of fiction. 'Catherine de Medici' is one such 'study', and features, alongside detailed history (and even architectural) sections, elements of the 'story' are fictionalised. In particular, this happens through dialogue that describes the feelings of the characters and what they are doing, these parts in the manner of a novel. In particular, Catherine de Medici (apparently), was depicted by historians as a bad ruler. This book is an attempt to redress that misunderstanding. Catherine de Medici is shown as one of the most powerful rulers of her day, using the intricacies of court to enact measures to improve the situation of her peoples and herself. (Summary by Reader) (11 hr 2 min)

Chapters

Introduction: Part One 40:49 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Introduction: Part Two 41:54 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr I: A House Which No Longer Exists 40:05 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr II: The Burghers 23:29 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr III: The Chateau de Blois 24:02 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr IV: The Queen Mother 23:50 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr V: The Court 31:27 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr VI: The Little Lever of Francois II 23:43 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr VII: A Drama in a Surcoat 17:05 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr VIII: Martyrdom 24:59 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr IX: The Tumult at Amboise 25:58 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr X: Cosmo Ruggiero 27:46 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr XI: Ambroise Pare 18:56 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr XII: The Death of Francois II 19:55 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr XIII: Calvin 37:51 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr XIV: Catherine in Power 28:55 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book One: The Calvinist Martyr XIV: Compensation 28:37 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book Two: The Secrets of the Ruggieri I: The Court under Charles IX 24:52 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book Two: The Secrets of the Ruggieri II: Schemes against Schemes 51:22 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book Two: The Secrets of the Ruggieri III: Marie Touchet 24:16 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book Two: The Secrets of the Ruggieri IV: The King's Tale 17:20 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book Two: The Secrets of the Ruggieri V: The Alchemists 35:41 Read by Edmund Bloxam
Book Three: Two Dreams 29:32 Read by Edmund Bloxam

Reviews

awful recording


(1 stars)

Sounds like he is speaking thru tunnel- and his diction is awful - he speaks as if he talking to himself and chews out half of the words and pitches up and down without ANY correlation to the text - could not get past 30 minutes.

Excellent Narrator


(3 stars)

The narrator has a British sounding voice and is quite good. Unfortunately, the recording has a very noticeable echo. I’ve not been able to get past this 1st chapter. So disappointed.