Gretchen
Mary Jane Holmes
Read by Celine Major
Rich and sophisticated Arthur Tracy returns to Tracy Park after several years abroad confused and mentally unstable. Initially claiming that Gretchen accompanied him on the boat and train back he then expects her to arrive at any moment. Meanwhile a child is found at the side of a woman frozen to death in the Tramp House nearby. Arthur's brother Frank believes he knows the child's identity but keeps it a secret fearing that his elaborate lifestyle could be in jeopardy. This is a heartwarming story with just the right mix of suspense and romance. - Summary by Celine Major (15 hr 22 min)
Chapters
Chapters 1-3 | 31:55 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 4-5 | 29:28 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 6-7 | 21:14 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 8 | 24:05 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 9 | 24:58 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 10-11 | 31:20 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 12 | 14:55 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 13 | 28:18 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 14-15 | 30:10 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 16-17 | 35:00 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 18 | 39:03 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 19-20 | 36:12 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 21-22 | 46:40 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 23-24 | 34:53 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 25-26 | 30:55 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 27-28 | 38:06 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 29-30 | 32:31 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 31-32 | 38:10 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 33-34 | 22:25 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 35-36 | 28:38 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 37-38 | 38:42 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 39-40 | 30:42 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 41 | 23:57 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 42 | 30:03 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 43-45 | 32:43 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 46-47 | 20:57 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 48 | 24:18 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 49 | 24:05 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapters 50-51 | 24:26 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 52 | 28:10 | Read by Celine Major |
Chapter 53 | 25:09 | Read by Celine Major |
Reviews
Wonderful story!
TwinkieToes
If you let the supposed mechanical reading prevent you from listening to this story, you are missing out on a treat. The story is heartwarming and touching, and the reader obviously enjoys what she's reading - I could hear the smile and laughter in her voice at times. (The only bit of constructive criticism I'll offer is that a "row" in the sense of a fight or disturbance is pronounced with a short O, like "wow" or "vow".) Arthur Tracy comes home from Europe to Massachusetts after many years' absence, expecting Gretchen to follow him off the train, which she does not do. He expects her at every subsequent train. He has a mental illness, in which he forgets things, yet he is obsessed with Gretchen. Who was she, and will she ever come? Sometime later during a horrible snowstorm, a woman gets off the train with a young child and walks towards the Tracy home. She never makes it, but dies in the old Tramp House of cold, having given all she could for the little girl, who is not harmed. The child is raised by Harold (a few years older than she) and his grandmother. However, any listener with half a brain will know whose child it is. This is the story of Jerry (Jerinne) and those around her - those proud in their precarious wealth and status, those kind and thoughtful to others regardless of rank, and those who grow up in humble surroundings, yet are noble by nature; the nouveau riche and how they value society and position. Love and laughter and haunting dreams - and the shadow of Gretchen.
Sweet
ell
Celine Major does a wonderful job bringing this somewhat sappy story to life. The plot line is over the top and the book easily put down but for Ms Major’s happy narrative style which breathes life into this romance. I love long books and this one is about 12 hours.
who is this Girl?
Julia R
I really enjoyed this story of an unknown little girl whose presumed mother died in an ice storm by protecting the child with her own cloaks. We watch the adorable and intelligent girl grow up in a little old lady’s cottage; the Granny of the kind boy who found her and saved her life. She brings light and joy to most of the people who meet her, but others have their own reasons for sneering at or fearing her. A very rich and (sometimes crazy) man who owns the mansion on whose grounds she was found, takes a keen interest in her, as she helps soothe his muddled mind. Intriguing relationships develop and change between the various “classes” of people, at a time when ones “station in life” and “pedigree” determined so much of how they were treated by others. Several little mysteries develop, along with romances, and the continuing question of who this girl really was, and where she came from. I LOVE that this book takes you several chapters past th
Lovely story, amazing reader.
JaneC
The plot is a little bit too dragged, but I loved the mystery and Jerrie's character a lot. Also the reader did a great job as well.
kam.
Kam
such an enjoyable book. this reader may take a while to get accustomed to the but she really warms to you if you persevere.
dang good
quentin
Thanks celine i love ur reading, and this is one of the best stories of its time I heard
Predictable, but Sweet
Phxjennifer
Plus a sympathetic portrayal of mental illness, rare for its time.
Story Retreat
This is an attention gripping story! I really enjoyed it!