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The Rise of Silas Lapham cover art

The Rise of Silas Lapham

By: William Dean Howells
Narrated by: Jim Killavey
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Summary

William Dean Howells was born in Martin's Ferry, Ohio, of Welch, Irish, and German forebears. Along with Mark Twain, he was one of the great novelists of his time. This book, the realisic saga of the rise and redemptive fall of an American tycoon, is considered to be his best novel.
©1997 Jimcin (P)1997 Jimcin
Classics Literary Fiction Historical Fiction
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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  • Melinda
  • 31-08-04

Too slow!

Rather predictable plot, read way too slowly by the reader.

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Alicia Czechowski
  • 23-02-09

excellent book, poor reader

This engrossing book was made stiff and slow by the reader. The story of a self-made man, his aspirations and his family's trials and triumphs is timeless. A classic like this book deserves a good reader to bring the language and mores into the present. I almost gave up listening because of the robotic reading.

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Scott R Selisker
  • 18-12-06

Great story, okay narrator

Silas Lapham is a delightful book - Howells crafts a wonderful and engaging story that's much more complex than its new-money-in-Boston-society premise. The plots centered on family/marriage drama, class tension, and business drama are interwoven in rich and gratifying ways.

If I could, I'd give it 3.5 stars, because the narrator is nowhere near as good as most offered on Audible. He's got a strong regional (Boston, I presume) accent that he standardizes a little awkwardly, and the rhythms and intonations of his phrases sometimes seem a little off. The narration didn't ruin it for me, but it took more getting used to than most.

1 person found this helpful