Madame de Treymes

Subtle and Chilling

(5 stars)

jenniebrown

Madam de Treymes is a story of moral blackmail and the protagonist is very good at securing the end result. It’s a short book but packs a punch and, as one reviewer says, I was shocked at the outcome. Subtle, sly and chillingly polished this is a book one must not miss! Exceptional narration by Ms Klett who was quite simply born to read Edith Wharton. Excellent book!

(4 stars)

wyldfyre

"Madame de Treymes" poignantly portrays the struggles women faced in an era dominated by patriarchal norms and expectations. In this novella, Edith Wharton skillfully unveils the limitations and challenges imposed on her female characters, shedding light on the difficulties they endured. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century high society, the story underscores the constrained roles and societal expectations that bound women like Fanny and Madame de Treymes. These characters, despite their intelligence and agency, are subject to the authority of men and the constraints of marriage. The novella poignantly captures the power dynamics within relationships and the broader society, where men often held the upper hand and controlled the fate of women. Fanny's struggles and Madame de Treymes' plight resonate as poignant examples of the limited choices available to women during that era. "Madame de Treymes" becomes a compelling lens through which to examine the challenges of women in a patriarchal society, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in gender dynamics and the historical context of women's struggles for agency and autonomy. Klett is always a delight to listen to.

An unusual story, read masterfully

(5 stars)

Linda

I didn't expect this to be a suspense story, but that is exactly what it is. It appears at first to be a love story, with the title character curiously not one of the lovers but a third party. The suspense lies in the question, who is Mme de Treymes? What is she really like and what will she do, then what has she done? As suspicious as we are, the ultimate answer is still a terrific shock, or so at least I found it. It's like a who-dun-it, in which we know the name of the "who" but not her true identity nor the nature of the circumstances which determine the final outcome. Elizabeth Klett is a marvelous actress with a lovely voice, one of the best readers I've ever heard.

Wharton and Klett: what's not to like!!

(5 stars)

Robbie44

Miss Wharton always breaks our hearts with her words. Miss Klett always interprets the authors with perfection! A beautiful treat!

Such a good read.

(5 stars)

Misaki Tyler

Elizabeth is an amazing reader as always. A really interesting and twisty story, the ending was dark in a different way.

(3 stars)

HTR

One of Elizabeth Klett’s earlier readings. Good as always. The book didn’t grab my attention. I found it a little boring.

fast paced plotting.

(4 stars)

savagewriter

Sharply satirical of rich Americans. Corrupt old French families come off worse. Compact, satisfying novella.

(3 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

The reader Elizabeth is amazing, but the story is weak and it does not have a good ending.