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A Modern Mephistopheles Audiobook
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(2.93) - 15 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Known for her beloved children’s classics, Louisa May Alcott’s true zeal was for writing sensational literature, which she chose to have published anonymously or under a pseudonym. Her favorite of these works was A Modern Mephistopheles.
This chilling tale of greed, lust, and deception opens on a midwinter night when Felix Canaris, a despairing writer about to take his own life, is saved by a knock at the door. The mysterious visitor, a Jasper Helwyze, promises Felix fame and fortune in return for his complete devotion. Helwyze then plots to corrupt the overly ambitious Felix by cleverly manipulating the beautiful and innocent Gladys. And when Helwyze decides that he wants Gladys for himself, Felix must defend the adoring young woman from the destructive influence of his diabolical patron.
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"certainly not one of my "wow, this was great literature!" reads, but it was enjoyable in the sense that romance novels are, with a dash of good writing and sensibility. "
— Maren (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Orginally published as part of a series of anonymous novels by famous authors…Alcott…[has] allowed herself to explore some of the darker passions in her rendering of the Faust tale.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“The language is vigorous and clear, having a sculpturesque effect, and the succession of periods and paragraphs is often so admirable that many pages together seem to be set to solemn rhythm.”
— Atlantic Monthly -
“Not only is there power in the creation of characters, but in the descriptive narrative, in the very language, situations, diction—all that makes up the work. It is a marvel of modern novel-writing.”
— Commonwealth -
“A marvelous metaphysical story…One almost shudders while reading this tale, it is so fraught with intensity of evil design on the part of the leading character.
— Boston Evening Traveller -
“A romance of rare merit. One that steady absorbs the attention from its beginning to its close, and one which culminates in a powerfully interesting scene that could only have been evolved from a vigorous imagination.”
— Boston Courier -
“This tale of lust and deception will satisfy any who wants a novel of psychological tension and high drama…A complex, involving plot.”
— Midwest Book Review
A Modern Mephistopheles Listener Reviews
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" Not your "average" Louisa May "
— Adele, 2/12/2011 -
" Could not get into this for the life of me. "
— Bla, 11/3/2010 -
" Supposedly a proto-feminist retelling of Faust, but neither the Faust parallel nor the very timid feminism really makes an impression. Maybe I'm just rusty in my appreciation for Victorian prose, but I found this incredibly tedious. And seriously, if I had to read one more flower metaphor... "
— Gwynne, 6/19/2009 -
" hasil hunting ke Pamulang Sabtu 30 Mei 2009. Beda cover depan dan hardcover edition. "
— aldozirsov, 5/31/2009 -
" I love Louisa Alcott, but this book was torture. The end was better than I expected--hence the 2 stars "
— Tamara, 1/28/2009 -
" She clearly read Les Liasons Dangereuse... "
— Alyson, 2/25/2008
About Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Educated by her father until she was sixteen, she also studied under Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Theodore Parker. A prolific writer, her most famous work was Little Women, a timeless American classic.
About C. M. Hébert
C. M. Hébert is an Earphones Award winner and Audie Award nominee. She is the recording studio director for the Talking Books Program at the Library of Congress’ National Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her husband, daughter, cat, and assorted fish.