Quicksand


Read by Elizabeth Klett

(4.2 stars; 111 reviews)

Quicksand is a 1928 novel by Nella Larsen, a writer of the Harlem Renaissance. It focuses on Helga Crane, a mixed-race woman who is a schoolteacher in the American south. As the novel opens, she suddenly decides to give up her teaching position and go north, back to her roots in Chicago. Helga's restless search for identity is semi-autobiographical, inspired by Larsen's own struggles to reconcile her mixed heritage with the racism of 1920s America. Although this novel was published after 1923, the copyright was never renewed and is therefore in the public domain. (Introduction by Elizabeth Klett) (5 hr 3 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1 22:03 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 2 12:43 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 3 14:07 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 4 10:35 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 5 8:19 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 6 13:30 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 7 12:33 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 8 9:15 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 9 13:41 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 10 9:50 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 11 11:30 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 12 9:40 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 13 14:09 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 14 19:32 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 15 21:58 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 16 8:44 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 17 7:18 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 18 15:12 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 19 8:17 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 20 12:52 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 21 6:43 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 22 10:50 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 23 9:06 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 24 14:11 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 25 6:54 Read by Elizabeth Klett

Reviews

wow. what a find!


(5 stars)

FIRST a prAise about Librivox as a whole: I have stumbled upon so many incredible literary works that i never could have encountered outside of this system. Thanks To selecting that "similar/related" tab i find new authors and additional woRks by an author. books like "Quicksand" were DisCovered by following the "same reader" option. thank you so Much, Elizabeth Klett for lending your voice to this project. i don't want to be one of those people who totally spoil the book worth to Much detail. you simply must read this book. it's gripping. i wasn't exPecting the ending. actually i wanted to keep living wIth the protagonist just to see... read Elizabeth's smart, then dive in. as for me, I'm headed to the author's second Book, "Passing".

book caught in its own quicksand


(2 stars)

Although the premise of this book has great potential, it itself gets lost in the quicksand of introspection, discontent, and selfish isolation of the protagonist. The story does highlight the pressures and concerns of both black and mixed race people of the 1920s, it offers nothing for moving forward and out of the quicksand. It has been a long time since I have been this disappointed in a book, despite Elizabeth Klett's flawless reading of it.


(5 stars)

i can't say it better than than the reviewer who described it as "the restless hungry longings that draw us inder." this story is an illustration of Oscar Wilde's remark that there are two tragedies in life. One is not getting what you want. The other us getting it. Powerful book. Larsen deserves a place next to Zola in the literary canon..

quicksand


(3.5 stars)

Helga is a mulatto but is unhappy in her job she leaves teaching to find herself in her past in Chicago then New York. But wherever she goes she is faced with a sene of not being a part of things. Very sad.


(5 stars)

A masterfully written and poignant book that was beautifully read by Ms. Klett. I am deeply grateful to author and reader. This book is for those who would look into the heart of Samsara - the restless/agitated mind, the longings that pull us under.


(5 stars)

Life is a complete disappoinment, she's so right.... but for the books. So needful hearing out from other human being,if only were possible to reach out understanding by and by, she made it and I thank her

Sadly appropriate.


(4.5 stars)

Well written woe be gone tale, ending in a manner that snuffs any hope for the immediate future. Well read by Elizabeth, a truly gifted narrator. Thank you Librovox & Elizabeth!

multifaceted plots


(4 stars)

Well-told example of how the issues of life unfold, divide and multiply. Makes one examine and ponder the choices and decisions of their life past, present and future.