The American Short Story - Volume 4: A Chronological History - Volume 4
Written by Charles W Chesnutt, Edith Wharton and O Henry
Narrated by Janet Maw, Darrell Joe and Richard Mitchley
()
About this audiobook
From its transatlantic roots it has absorbed the sons and daughters of other cultures, other lands and made them part of her own.
America prides itself on liberty, on justice for all and, if you are a wealthy white man, that is essentially true. Sadly, many other segments of society find it difficult to feel or become part of this endeavour.
Within this chronological history of the American short story, that prejudice has helped shape the borders of those two endless questions about any anthology. Why that story? Why that Author?
We made some hard choices. We start with Uriah Derrick Dárcy, an unlikely American name and, to all intents, it appears to be a pseudonym, about whom little is known or can be verified. He leads our literary parade. From here leviathans appear on a regular basis; Hawthorne, Poe, Melville, Twain but also note how many women are here and not just Stowe, Alcott and Chopin. Women’s status as writers is often neglected or undervalued, predominantly due to their second-class social status throughout much of history but their stories, their angles of approach to writing are both expertly crafted and refreshing.
Another stain on the social and cultural fabric of American has been that of Race. Black people were harshly and unfairly treated as a matter of course. The Civil War may have opened the door but in reality little changed. The majority of the stories included here written by black authors are disturbing in the wrongs they were accused of, and the burdens they were forced to carry. This eye-opening literature enables us to once more take stock and applaud and bring some glimmers of recognition to their struggles and their art.
There are some authors, liberally sprinkled throughout, both male and female who may previously have escaped your attention. Enjoy them. Adore them. Make them part of your everyday reading and listening. These forgotten voices are fine examples both of their craft, their art, and their take on society as it was then.
In the period we cover from the late 18th Century, around the time of the American Revolution, up until the catastrophe of World War 2, the printing press was creating a market to share words. With industrialization and a large swathe of people eager to be distracted from hard working lives, a plethora of magazines and periodicals shot up, all clamoring for works to publish, to share those words, to introduce new ideas and explain how some of us view ourselves and each other. Some of these authors were only published that way, one story wonders—hitched to the fading star of a disposable periodical.
And, of course, the elephant in the room was the English. In its early days US copyright law was non-existent and didn’t recognise anyone else’s. Publishers were free to take the talents of Dickens or Trollope and freely print it without permission or coin. Competing against that, gave you a decided disadvantage.
Within these stories you will also find very occasional examples of historical prejudice. A few words here and there which in today’s world some may find inappropriate or even offensive. It is not our intention to make anyone uncomfortable but to show that the world in order to change must reconcile itself to the actual truth rather than put it out of sight. Context is everything, both to understand and to illuminate the path forward. The author’s words are set, our reaction to them encourages our change.
Within this melting pot of styles, genres and wordplay one fact stands out: The American short story Literary tradition has a strong, vibrant and almost inclusive history, if you know where to look. Which is here
More audiobooks from Charles W Chesnutt
The Top 10 Short Stories - The African American Story: The top ten short stories written by black American authors Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMarriage - Short Stories: Tales of dysfunctional relationships to the perfect couples and everything in between Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Top 10 Short Stories - The 1890s - The Americans: The top ten Short Stories of the 1890's written by American authors Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to The American Short Story - Volume 4
Related audiobooks
The American Short Story - Volume 7: A Chronological History - Volume 7 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe American Short Story - Volume 2: A Chronological History - Volume 2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe American Short Story - Volume 3: A Chronological History - Volume 3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe American Short Story - Volume 5: A Chronological History - Volume 5 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The American Short Story - Complete: A Chronological History - Complete in 7 volumes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Spirit of American Literature Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe American Short Story - Volume 6: A Chronological History - Volume 6 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Big Show - Episode 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOn Schooling and the Phases of Mr. Sandsome (Unabridged) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGoldsmith's Friend Abroad Again Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Continue Laughing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHerman Melville - Chapter & Verse: Poetry and prose together from literary greats. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeeking Freedom: The Untold Story of Fortress Monroe and the Ending of Slavery in America Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Almayer's Folly Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The White Cat Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAn Experiment in Misery: A Stephen Crane Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Alchemist: The Original Manuscript Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Rhyme A Dozen - 12 Poets, 12 Poems, 1 Topic ― America: 12 Poets, 12 Poems, 1 Topic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Paying Guest (dramatic reading) Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Anna Christie Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhilomville Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary of S. C. Gwynne's Empire of the Summer Moon Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSix Years in the Prisons of England Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsB. J. Harrison Reads The Ambitious Guest Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Top 10 Short Stories - Bret Harte: The top ten short stories written by Bret Harte. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Birmingham Campaign: The History of the SCLC’s Non-Violent Protests in Alabama’s Biggest City Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiary of Samuel Pepys 1662 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChorus of Women Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMr. Lismore and the Widow Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSunset in the Tropics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Anthologies For You
The Shadow Over Innsmouth Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Marple: Twelve New Mysteries Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Extraordinary Impossible Crimes and Puzzling Deaths: The Best New Original Stories of the Genre Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5FaceOff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Oz Reimagined: New Tales from the Emerald City and Beyond Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Humour - A Short Story Collection Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Vintage Christmas: A Collection of Classic Stories and Poems Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Best American Short Stories 2022 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Kink: Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Stories from Suffragette City Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Howls From the Dark Ages: An Anthology of Medieval Horror Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Reunion Beach: Stories Inspired by Dorothea Benton Frank Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Timeless Classics Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Greatest Short Stories of All Time Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5MatchUp Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dark Screams: Volume One Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Classic American Short Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Best American Short Stories 2021 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe House of Love and Death Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Best of the Best Horror of the Year: 10 Years of Essential Short Horror Fiction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wavedancer Benefit Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Behaving Badly Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dangerous Women: Original Stories from Today's Greatest Suspense Writers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Flight or Fright Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Classic Tales Podcast, Season Five Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Black Noir: Mystery, Crime, and Suspense Fiction by African-American Writers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Howls From Hell: A Horror Anthology Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Come Join Us By the Fire: 35 Short Horror Tales from Nightfire Books Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The American Short Story - Volume 4
0 ratings0 reviews