The Burning Secret
Stefan Zweig
Read by Lee Smalley
A lonely, convalescing 12 year-old boy and his attractive mother, who is in a loveless marriage, meet a gentleman while vacationing at a European resort. Seeking an enjoyable way to pass the time, the man schemes to seduce the woman with the unwitting help of the boy. The son, puzzled by the developing relationship, becomes increasingly isolated and suspicious as he loses his childish innocence in this gripping coming-of-age novella.
This work is translated from the original German, Brennendes Geheimnis, which has also been recorded for LibriVox.
Stefan Zweig was one of the world's most acclaimed writers during the 1920s and 1930s. He produced novels, plays, biographies and journals. He and his second wife committed suicide in 1942.
(Lee Smalley) (2 hr 33 min)
Chapters
I The Partner | 11:31 | Read by Lee Smalley |
II Quick Friendship | 12:29 | Read by Lee Smalley |
III The Trio | 9:04 | Read by Lee Smalley |
IV The Attack | 9:38 | Read by Lee Smalley |
V The Elephants | 7:39 | Read by Lee Smalley |
VI Skirmishing | 10:26 | Read by Lee Smalley |
VII The Burning Secret | 10:26 | Read by Lee Smalley |
VIII Silent Hostility | 12:11 | Read by Lee Smalley |
IX The Liars | 13:27 | Read by Lee Smalley |
X On the Trail | 11:48 | Read by Lee Smalley |
XI The Surprise Attack | 6:27 | Read by Lee Smalley |
XII The Tempest | 11:58 | Read by Lee Smalley |
XIII Dawning Perception | 8:26 | Read by Lee Smalley |
XIV Darkness and Confusion | 7:36 | Read by Lee Smalley |
XV The Last Dream | 10:51 | Read by Lee Smalley |
Reviews
Delightful and Delicious!
jenniebrown
What a wonderful little gem of a story! I was drawn in from the beginning by the precocious child who is starved for attention and, upon getting it, throws all of his heart and passion into the adult who bestows it. With excellent narration the tale was near impossible to put down. Very very enjoyable! Thank you LibriVox and thank you Mr. Smalley.
Shruti Sharma
wondering why i had not heard of this author yet. Short, yet elaborate. Read by the reading with a good, comfortable flow. Listened to this before going to bed, by the end, my mind of more awake than it was 2-3 hours earlier.
Mary Ann Mays
A very interesting novella. Though it is an older generation's psychology and a somewhat awkward translation from the German, it is a good story of a child's journey toward growth. The reader does a good job as well, even paced and clear.
E. L. Ruddle
Ruf N Redy
Youthful curiosity, confusion, desire, shame, discovery, awakening, love, forgiveness and human frailty are woven together to tell a story of a young boy’s tumultuous introduction to the complexities of life. Well written and well read.
Amazing!
Ben K
This is an amazing little novel by a much under-appreciated fiction writer. It is a wonderful coming of age story that is dark in its jaded realism yet hopeful in its wonder. And the reader is excellent!
Terrilynn Enger
This was a very well written and entertaining piece of work. From an adolescent’s perspective it reminds me of my first understanding of life and it’s complexities.
Comedy with an edge
WarrenJ
12 year old boy takes revenge on the adults. Fine reading by Lee Smalley.
very sweet short story
Nat
Great narrator . This story is a little gem!