The Awakening

By: Kate Chopin

Narrated by: Grace Conlin

Although originally published in 1899, this book's leading character, Edna Pontellier, could be mistaken for a modern day liberated woman. In the summer of her 28th year, as she watched numerous mothers on a beach, she vowed to honor the deep yearnings within herself that she sensed were unfulfilled by marriage and motherhood. She abandoned her conventional role in life and made for herself a controversial and ultimately destructive life.(P)1994 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Great story, Good Reader

I love this book. The story moves fast, and keeps you in wondering agony to find out what is going to happen. The reader is ok. I make sure this book is always on my ipod, so I always have a good book to listen to.

Powerful

This work is nothing less than succulently powerful. Chopin sucked me right in, and I felt it all with Edna. I'm left, several days after finishing it, still thinking about the story. Potent stuff.

Hollow

I must say this book when read is far more moving than when listened to on this robotic audiobook.

Puzzled

This book appears on a list of the 100 greatest books which is why I read it. I certainly can't figure out why it has been selected. It is boring, empty and supercilious. The author is certainly a good writer and maybe she portrays an anomaly of the times -- an independent woman. But Ibsen does it so much better. I would recommend not wasting one's time on this one. There are far better books out there -- try The Mill on the Floss, for instance.