The Altar of the Dead
Henry James
Read by Dorlene Kaplan
A fable of literally life and death significance, the story explores how the protagonist tries to keep the remembrance of his dead friends, to save them from being forgotten entirely in the rush of everyday events. He meets a woman who shares his ideals, only to find that the past places what seems to be an impassable barrier between them. Although James was not religious in any conventional sense, the story shows a deep spirituality in its treatment of mortality and the transcendent power of unselfish love. (Introduction by Wikipedia) (1 hr 32 min)
Chapters
Chapter 1 | 7:22 | Read by Dorlene Kaplan |
Chapter 2 | 9:06 | Read by Larry Caplan |
Chapter 3 | 12:55 | Read by Dorlene Kaplan |
Chapter 4 | 8:49 | Read by Larry Caplan |
Chapter 5 | 8:20 | Read by Dorlene Kaplan |
Chapter 6 | 7:04 | Read by Larry Caplan |
Chapter 7 | 9:47 | Read by Dorlene Kaplan |
Chapter 8 | 11:27 | Read by Larry Caplan |
Chapter 9 | 17:26 | Read by Dorlene Kaplan |
Reviews
Very good, clear reading.
Alan S
A very good quality reading. Though the story itself isn't the most subtle or charming entry in the James canon, it is still a very interesting piece, with some great writing (particular in the early chapters). Many thanks to the readers for making a difficult and meditative work so accessible for the listener.