Araby

By: James Joyce

Narrated by: Jason Mann

In the quiet streets of Dublin, a young boy carries a secret devotion.

James Joyce’s Araby, one of the most celebrated stories from Dubliners, captures a fleeting moment of youth — when imagination, longing, and the promise of romance collide with the reality of the world.

Set along the dim winter streets of North Richmond Street, the story follows a boy whose thoughts become consumed by Mangan’s sister, a girl who unknowingly becomes the center of his dreams. When she speaks to him of the mysterious bazaar called Araby, the boy seizes upon the chance to visit it, hoping to bring her a gift and prove the depth of his devotion.

What follows is a quiet journey through shadowed streets, anticipation, and the fragile world of youthful imagination. As the evening unfolds, the boy’s romantic vision begins to confront the ordinary truth of the world around him — leading to one of the most poignant moments of realization in modern literature.

Written with Joyce’s remarkable sensitivity to memory, atmosphere, and awakening consciousness, Araby remains a timeless portrait of youthful longing and the delicate moment when innocence gives way to self-awareness.

Narrated by Jason Mann and produced with a Certified Human Voice™, ensuring a genuine human performance — never AI-generated — preserving the artistry and emotional depth of authentic storytelling.

Public Domain (P)2026 Anthony Pica Productions, LLC