The Fortunate Youth


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.1 stars; 21 reviews)

The Fortunate Youth follows the life of Paul, a young boy from a humble background in London, as he navigates the complexities of ambition and desire. Growing up in a household marked by the challenges of poverty and familial strife, Paul dreams of a brighter future and the success that seems just out of reach.

Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century London, this coming-of-age tale explores themes of aspiration, sacrifice, and the true cost of achieving one's dreams. As Paul strives to rise above his circumstances, he encounters both the allure of wealth and the harsh realities that accompany it.

William John Locke's narrative delves into the emotional and moral dilemmas faced by youth in pursuit of their goals, making it a poignant reflection on the nature of fortune and the choices that shape our lives. This story resonates with anyone who has ever dared to dream big, reminding us that the path to success is often fraught with unexpected challenges.

Chapters

Select a chapter to play

01 - Chapter 1 33:09 Read by DVoice
02 - Chapter 2 24:28 Read by Kirsty Leishman
03 - Chapter 3 25:40 Read by Kirsty Leishman
04 - Chapter 4 22:58 Read by DannyHauger
05 - Chapter 5 36:10 Read by KarlHenning
06 - Chapter 6 35:41 Read by Sonali Punja
07 - Chapter 7 28:04 Read by Sonali Punja
08 - Chapter 8 17:22 Read by DannyHauger
09 - Chapter 9 42:16 Read by KarlHenning
10 - Chapter 10 27:47 Read by Sonali Punja
11 - Chapter 11 37:11 Read by Sonali Punja
12 - Chapter 12 32:27 Read by KarlHenning
13 - Chapter 13 39:12 Read by Sonali Punja
14 - Chapter 14 28:46 Read by Sonali Punja
15 - Chapter 15 26:33 Read by Kristel Tretter
16 - Chapter 16 21:29 Read by KarlHenning
17 - Chapter 17 36:19 Read by Sonali Punja
18 - Chapter 18 29:26 Read by Sonali Punja
19 - Chapter 19 23:55 Read by Kristel Tretter
20 - Chapter 20 30:21 Read by Sonali Punja
21 - Chapter 21 32:57 Read by KarlHenning
22 - Chapter 22 33:08 Read by Sonali Punja
23 - Chapter 23 33:43 Read by Sonali Punja

Reviews

Worth listening


(3.5 stars)

I gave it three and a half stars for two reasons. Locke seems to me a great writer, however just as in his other stories he assumes everyone speaks several foreign languages. I find this condescending and idiotic. Regarding the readers of this story, I found them uninspiring and their endless string of mispronunciations made me want to scream. But I stuck through it and I did enjoy the story.

An interesting story


(4 stars)

The story overall was good. Sort of fairy tale like in that the poor youth marries a princess type. I enjoyed the story and it is worth listening to. The narration was a challenge but overall most of them did a good job. I really prefer stories that only have one narrator but after awhile you get used to the various voices.

oh well


(2 stars)

as fans of librivox, we share a regret at readers who would help this noble endeavor if they would not read...readers who mispronounce countless words and are hard to understand.