The Yellow Wallpaper

By: Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Narrated by: Beata Poźniak

A groundbreaking feminist masterpiece and one of the most exquisite horror stories in American literature.

Diagnosed by her physician husband with a “temporary nervous depression - a slight hysterical tendency” after the birth of her child, a woman is urged to rest for the summer in an old colonial mansion. Forbidden from doing work of any kind, she spends her days in the house’s former nursery, with its barred windows, scratched floor, and peeling yellow wallpaper.

In a private journal, the woman records her growing obsession with the “horrid” wallpaper. Its strange pattern mutates in the moonlight, revealing what appears to be a human figure in the design. With nothing else to occupy her mind, the woman resolves to unlock the mystery of the wallpaper. Her quest, however, leads not to the truth, but into the darkest depths of madness.

A masterly use of the unreliable narrator and a scathing indictment of patriarchal medical practices, The Yellow Wallpaper is a true American classic.

Originally published in 1892.

Public Domain (P)2021 Discordia Global Media

Critic reviews

“Narrator Beata Pozniak’s captivating accent and likable style are ideal for this seminal feminist short story (1892)…Pozniak faultlessly delivers journal entries that express the woman’s longing to see her baby and to go outside. She is kept in a room with yellow wallpaper, whose eerie designs eventually appear to come alive. Impressive sound effects—for example, the wallpaper’s movements and sounds, as well as the woman’s breathing—augment Pozniak’s voice as it slides into notes of terror. Those elements and a riveting conclusion demonstrate that audiobooks can be as horrifying as anything on the screen.” (AudioFile)

narrator did a wonderful job of bringing this creepy story to life.

Haven't read this story since jr high and in listening to it now I was struck all over again by the complete disregard this poor woman's loved ones showed for her well being. Its amazing how an act as simple as letting someone vent their frustration can do them a world of good but we, thinking we know best, fail to take the time.

A touching story

A very sad story of a woman suffering from postpartum depression who was isolated for recovery. A woman locked in a room begins to live in the world of imagination inspired by wallpaper on the wall. Beata Pozniak's narration strengthens the reception of this story. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the female psyche.

Beautiful and Haunting

Our main protagonist is so normal that it makes her descent more acceptable. More plausible. This piece is curious and strange and well worth the read. Wallpaper, eh? Who knew?!!