The Awakening

By: Kate Chopin

Narrated by: Alexandra O’Karma

This scandalous turn-of-the-century story follows 28-year-old Edna Pontellier, wife and mother, who one day awakens to the pangs of passion for the first time in her life. But societal restraints place limits on any kind of authentic expression of desire. Her final gesture is a defiant, desperate reach for freedom.

Public Domain (P)1986 Recorded Books, LLC

Far Before Her Time!

What made the experience of listening to The Awakening the most enjoyable?

The vivid imagery and symbolism that Chopin uses and the veiled infidelity and passion were mesmerizing.

What did you like best about this story?

Her desire to live HER life not the social norm.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - I listened to it about 6 times already and constantly find something I missed in Chopin's style.

Any additional comments?

This book was written in approximately 1899 and was banned. The main character, Edna, is far too independent for this era but her pursuit of living her passion is moving.

An oldie but a goodie.

I felt The Awakening was very interesting. It's strange to listen to a time when women were so oppressed and were seen as ornaments rather than equals.

Worth Reading

Meaningful story and well-read. There seem to be a few minor errors in the recording, but still worth listening to.

good book but...

the recording of the book was poorly done. background noise along with random fluctuations in the recording volume make for an awkward listen that distracts the listener from the tale