The Fortunate Youth
William John Locke
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
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
Byron Lee Scott
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
benefitsingers
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
FBL
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.