One of the great novels of the nineteenth century, The Red and the Black is a powerful character study of Julien Sorel, a clever and idealistic young opportunist who attempts to rise above his station through a combination of talent, deception, and hypocrisy. Sorel uses his powers of seduction and charm to secure advancement, only to find himself betrayed by his own passions and outwitted by the larger political and social intrigues of post-Napoleonic France. His doomed quest for fortune and love is both heroic and satirical, reflecting the inner tensions and outer pretensions that result from desiring what is not ours. Stendhal's complex portrayal of his characters' thoughts and feelings was far ahead of his time, earning The Red and the Black recognition as the first modern psychological novel, with Julien as his most brilliant creation and one of the greatest characters in all of literature.
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 2 weeks
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
August 12, 2009 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781483071473
- File size: 529904 KB
- Duration: 18:23:57
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- Lexile® Measure: 1080
- Text Difficulty: 7-9
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Reviews
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A work of literature that one views as difficult, or as an undertaking, demands the best-quality narration. This re-released production of Stendhal's finest work, a progenitor of the psychological novel, easily meets this requirement. The late David Case's pacing lends itself to the themes of class, ambition, and desire. His delivery makes this seemingly dusty work of literature an engrossing story and helps one understand the new ground Stendhal broke in writing it. As Case portrays the archetypal characters, he fully inhabits both their struggles and the satire of the story. M.T. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine -
Stendhal's wonderful chronicle of the nineteenth century tells the story of his hypocritical protagonist, Julien Sorel. A poor youth and brilliant scholar, Julien begins a career in the church despite his liberal views and his disgust for his superiors. His pious front gives him access to aristocratic households as a tutor, but his ambition for social prestige leads him to scandal and ruin. British actor Bill Homewood has a deep, sonorous voice and narrates with almost musical refinement. He is chameleon-like in his versatility with vocal characterizations, easily switching from the youthful Julien's timid, earnest voice to the condescending tone of Monsieur de Renal. Homewood is masterful in his narration, capturing all the nuances in the tone and language of Stendhal's writing. D.M.W. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
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