Clarissa Harlowe, or the History of a Young Lady - Volume 1


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(4.2 stars; 28 reviews)

Clarissa Harlowe, the tragic heroine of Clarissa, is a beautiful and virtuous young lady whose family has become very wealthy only in recent years and is now eager to become part of the aristocracy by acquiring estates and titles through advantageous pairings. Clarissa's relatives attempt to force her to marry a rich but heartless man (Roger Solmes) against her will and, more importantly, against her own sense of virtue. Desperate to remain free, she is tricked by a young gentleman of her acquaintance, Lovelace, into escaping with him. However, she refuses to marry him, longing — unusual for a girl in her time — to live by herself in peace. (Summary by Wikipedia) (0 hr 14 min)

Chapters

Preface 12:00 Read by Bob Gilham
Letter I 7:45 Read by Bob Gilham
Letter II 15:20 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter III 16:25 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter IV 25:45 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter V 9:08 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter VI 12:04 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter VII 14:48 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter VIII 16:59 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter IX 9:25 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter X 20:18 Read by Bob Gilham
Letter XI 7:26 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XII 12:31 Read by Bob Gilham
Letter XIII 29:47 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XIV 4:33 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XV 12:04 Read by Bob Gilham
Letter XVI 33:47 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XVII 36:55 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XVIII 8:36 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XIX 14:16 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XX 28:18 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XXI 14:50 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XXII 10:09 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XXIII 5:48 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XXIV 4:59 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XXV 17:34 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XXVI 10:13 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XXVII 22:53 Read by Bob Gilham
Letter XXVIII 10:14 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XXIX 18:51 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XXX 7:56 Read by Ben Dutton
Letter XXXI 25:32 Read by Bob Gilham
Letter XXXII 38:44 Read by Philippa
Letter XXXIII 10:56 Read by Julie VW
Letter XXXIV 10:45 Read by Bob Gilham
Letter XXXV 7:57 Read by Bob Gilham
Letter XXXVI 31:45 Read by Patti Brugman
Letter XXXVII 10:51 Read by Bob Gilham
Letter XXXVIII 4:41 Read by Anna Simon
Letter XXXIX 16:53 Read by Anna Simon
Letter XL 29:51 Read by Patti Brugman
Letter XLI 16:06 Read by Philippa
Letter XLII 28:48 Read by Patti Brugman
Letter XLIII 15:35 Read by Patti Brugman
Letter XLIV 14:33 Read by Patti Brugman

Reviews


(4 stars)

Great book, great readers for the first eleven of the 12 hours which I have invested in the book. Then, BAM! The denouement is abruptly shattered by the introduction of a fledgling reader who takes over the final hour. The reader has good potential but to assign her the novel's entire ending? It is maddening to be stopped short after investing so much time and be forced to switch to the book for the all important wind up. A suggestion...do not introduce new narraters at critical parts of a story...beginning and especially endings. Also, mix it up so that the same new narrator doesn't dominate any particular book I am not currently a volunteer as I am not a good narrator. But, I intend to offer my services as I believe I should give something back for all the pleasure I get from LibriVox.


(5 stars)

Wow what a great story told in letters. I have literally stayed awake for hours and neglected all my household duties to listen in awe to Samuel Richardsons fantastic prose. Each letter holds you in suspense and you become enraged on Clarissa's behalf in her plight. Can't wait to start volume 2. What a treat. Highly recommended.

Richardson embodies the term “Beating a Dead Horse” yet I’m addicted!!


(4 stars)

Richardson can surely drag out torture and pleading and yet I’m compelled to continue to Vol2. This one was nicely read.

Great readers but the story progesses too slowly. Nine volumes!


(2 stars)

Great mb read mers

Interesting


(4 stars)

The epistolary style suits the telling of the tale. Nicely read.


(5 stars)

the reader perfor.s very well, making the story come.alive