Rookwood


Read by Paul Curran

(4.5 stars; 25 reviews)

A rich and complex Gothic-Romance centring on the murky deeds of an ancient family. It is a wonderfully atmospheric piece that combines narrative, poetry, song, and descriptive writing to great effect. The character of Dick Turpin that we know today - the dashing highwaymen and unmatched horseman - can be said to stem directly from this novel, as the most famous part of the book (often published on its own in the past), Turpin's Ride To York, is devoted to him. Although seemingly little known to a modern audience, Ainsworth's 'Rookwood' gave the world the image of the highwayman with which we are all so familiar. (Summary by paulc) (16 hr 57 min)

Chapters

Memoir 11:15 Read by Paul Curran
To My Mother & Preface 17:12 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 01 - The Vault 28:49 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 02 - The Skeleton Hand 18:52 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 03 - The Park 27:51 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 04 - The Hall 12:47 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 05 - Sir Reginald Rookwood 17:57 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 06 - Sir Piers Rookwood 7:43 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 07 - The Return 5:30 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 08 - An Irish Adventurer 27:32 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 09 - An English Adventurer 42:54 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 10 - Ranulph Rookwood 27:42 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 11 - Lady Rookwood 18:56 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 12 - The Chamber of Death 5:40 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 1, Chapter 13 - The Brothers 21:16 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 2, Chapter 01 - The Storm 18:30 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 2, Chapter 02 - The Funeral Oration 21:11 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 2, Chapter 03 - The Churchyard 19:58 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 2, Chapter 04 - The Funeral 14:03 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 2, Chapter 05 - The Captive 15:03 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 2, Chapter 06 - The Apparition 27:40 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 01 - A Morning Ride 18:44 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 02 - A Gipsy Encampment 36:57 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 03 - Sybil 23:28 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 04 - Barbara Lovel 21:00 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 05 - The Inauguration 1:08:20 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 06 - Eleanor Mowbray 24:56 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 07 - Mrs. Mowbray 12:51 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 08 - The Parting 9:59 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 09 - The Philter 11:07 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 10 - Saint Cyprian's Cell 13:36 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 11 - The Bridal 27:35 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 12 - Alan Rookwood 22:47 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 12 - Mr Coates 10:07 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 3, Chapter 13 - Dick Turpin 28:54 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 01 - The Rendezvous at Kilburn 29:50 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 02 - Tom King 21:06 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 03 - A Surprise 8:42 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 04 - The Hue and Cry 9:14 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 05 - The Short Pipe 10:36 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 06 - Black Bess 16:59 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 07 - The York Stage 6:29 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 08 - Roadside Inn 10:43 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 09 - Excitement 4:19 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 10 - The Gibbet 8:13 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 11 - The Phantom Steed 16:50 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 4, Chapter 12 - Cawood Ferry 14:15 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 5, Chapter 01 - The Hut on Thorne Waste 15:51 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 5, Chapter 02 - Major Mowbray 23:38 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 5, Chapter 03 - Handassah 25:00 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 5, Chapter 04 - The Dower of Sybil 27:21 Read by Paul Curran
Bk. 5, Chapter 05 - The Sarcophagus 24:18 Read by Paul Curran
L'envoy 5:12 Read by Paul Curran

Reviews

17 hours of gothic suspense!


(5 stars)

A fine dramatic reading of this forgotten gothic novel. Bravo Paul Curran! One can only imagine how long this must have taken to record and edit. And bravo/brava LibriVox for bring us this great (and very long) book free and for nothing. The MP3 file is unusually clean and free of background noise and sound artifacts. (TheBookworm, Manchester, UK)

Ten Stars


(5 stars)

Where have you been all my life, dear author? Too long have your books lain undiscovered. I am so glad that Librivox brought you to light. I have listened to "Rookwood" twice already and can't wait to do so again. The lush richness of the prose is unforgettable. The little song/verses,priceless. Thanks so much Librivoz!!! A merry toast to Ainsworth and reader Paul Curran. 10 Stars

Loved The Novel - Marvelous Reading


(5 stars)

Thank you to Paul Curran for this marvelous recording. I am currently listening to the novel for the second time. I craved to hear the songs and the evocative descriptions again. Here's hoping that more of Ainsworth's works will be recorded at some point.

My Lost Weekend


(5 stars)

Due to Paul Curran's delightful reading of this excellent Ainsworth gothic tale. High quality recording. A sincere Thanks to Mr. Curran, your time and effort much appreciated.

Excellently Read


(4.5 stars)

I'd never read anything in the Gothic Romance genre before, and wasn't sure what to expect. Paul Curran brought the story to life fantastically!

High Gothic


(5 stars)

Excellent gothic tale read by talented reader. What more is there to ask?