A Hazard of New Fortunes


Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)

(4.5 stars; 24 reviews)

Howell’s novel is set in New York of the late nineteenth century, a city familiar to readers of Edith Wharton and Henry James. Basil March, a businessman from Boston of a literary bent, moves with his family to New York to edit a new journal founded by an acquaintance. Its financial support, however, comes from a Mr. Dryfoos, a Pennsylvania Dutch farmer suddenly become millionaire by the discovery of natural gas on his property, and now living in New York with his family in a style he hopes will befit his new wealth.

Is it his new fortune that presents a hazard? Or is it the new wealth of New York City in the Gilded Age? Both March and his literary creator are increasingly aware of some of the social and economic contradictions that beset the city of the time (though some of Howell’s analysis sounds as if it well might fit New York today). Characters such as, among others, Dryfoos’s children, a German socialist immigrant who fought for the Union cause, an impoverished Southern colonel still persuaded that a reformed slavery might work, a young woman drawn from the upper reaches of Old New York society, help to enrich the story and its setting with their differing viewpoints. ( Nicholas Clifford) (16 hr 35 min)

Chapters

Bibliographical 8:35 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Part First I 18:34 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
II 8:52 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
III 6:50 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
IV 14:33 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
V 10:17 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VI 8:02 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VII 23:52 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VIII 22:06 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VIX 9:09 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
X 18:51 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XI 28:52 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XII 24:46 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Part Second I 18:39 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
II 12:10 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
III 15:45 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
IV 10:05 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
V 7:41 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VI 16:27 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VII 10:41 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VIII 25:13 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
IX 10:43 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
X 17:06 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XI 25:23 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XII 11:34 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XIII 11:42 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XIV 21:31 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Part Third I 14:59 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
I 13:32 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
II 15:45 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
III 13:54 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
IV 20:19 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
V 6:25 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VI 8:57 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VII 16:32 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VIII 27:24 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Part Fourth I 29:25 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
II 21:16 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
III 14:25 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
IV 20:31 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
V 16:47 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VI 33:43 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VII 16:04 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VIII 20:25 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
IX 30:53 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Part Fifth I 26:15 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
II 29:33 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
III 13:30 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
IV 12:26 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
V 8:22 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VI 9:04 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VII 11:23 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
VIII 12:33 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
IX 7:38 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
X 12:24 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XI 7:08 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XII 7:14 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XIII 16:01 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XIV 15:37 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XV 10:28 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XVI 19:00 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XVII 8:57 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
XVIII 9:00 Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)

Reviews

Interesting Story


(3.5 stars)

Good character definition and an ok story which finally grabbed me about halfway into the book. Of course, Mr. Clifford kept me listening. He is an amazing narrator and can define each character with a slight change in his tone. Thank you LibriVox and thank you Mr. Clifford!

excellent writing,superbly read


(5 stars)

characters and situations are so well drawn, believable and interesting, reminds me of James. And no one can bring all those characters to life like Nicolas Clifford.

It was Okay


(2.5 stars)

This book is realistic in terms of how the characters end up, but not as entertaining as most 19th century stories of its kind.


(5 stars)

Brilliant novel, wonderfully written and wonderfully read by the incomparable Nicholas Clifford

Very impressive


(5 stars)

I loved it, and thanks to the fine reader.

my favorite Howells. Deep, intimate, honest!


(5 stars)

excellent reading


(5 stars)

absorbing story. still relevant