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The Magnificent Ambersons Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,435 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Winner of the 1919 Pulitzer Prize when it was first published, The Magnificent Ambersons chronicles the changing fortunes of three generations of an American dynasty. The family serves as a metaphor for the old society that crumbled after the Industrial Revolution while a middle-western town spread and darkened into a city.
George Amberson Minafer is the spoiled and arrogant grandson of the founder of the family's magnificence. George, eclipsed by a new breed of industrial tycoons and land developers whose power comes not through family connections but through financial dealings and modern manufacturing, descends from the Midwestern aristocracy to the working class. But George refuses to accept his diminishing status, clinging to all the superficiality he has always known.
As the wheels of industry transform the social landscape, the definitions of ambition, success, and loyalty also change.
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"More than a view into the lives that create a family, and friends that come into view. It is a story about 'progress', in terms of time and change. Also, a cautionary tale of pride and the consequences of a refusal to 'adapt' one's perceptions or behavior even after bearing witness to changes around them. The lesson for me....recognize perceptions, and allow for changes in perspective. Dug it."
— Karen (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“An admirable study of character and of American life.”
— New York Times -
“The 1919 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel portrays the decline of the superrich Amberson family, who act as a metaphor for the old society that crumbled after the Industrial Revolution. All fiction collections should own a copy, and all video collections should include Orson Welles’s 1942 film version.”
— Library Journal -
“Geoffrey Blaisdell gives proper blue-blood intonation to the Amberson clan and their contemporaries. He also gives appropriate tones to the servants and the townspeople.”
— AudioFile -
“It is a view of Indianapolis’ evolution from a major marketing center to a great industrial city. It adds a new dimension to one’s understanding of the coming of the Industrial Age.”
— Herman B Wells, Indiana University -
“This novel no doubt was a permanent page in the social history of the United States, so admirably conceived and written was the tale of the Ambersons, their house, their fate and the growth of the community in which they were submerged in the end.”
— Van Wyck Brooks, literary critic, biographer, and, historian
Awards
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Winner of the 1919 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
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One of the Modern Library's 100 Best English-Language Novels of the Twentieth Century
The Magnificent Ambersons Listener Reviews
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" A classic and one of the most interesting books I've ever read. It's a story that has stuck with me for years. I'd highly recommend this book. "
— Emily, 2/19/2014 -
" Interesting and thoughtful protrayal of aristocrats coming to terms with mediocrity. "
— Britt, 2/11/2014 -
" I enjoyed this story. Parts about urban sprawl made me think of my own Some of the insults used in the book certainly wouldn't have been known to be insults since they are certainly period related. A worthwhile read. "
— Judy, 2/9/2014 -
" Reminiscent of Great Gatsby; fall from prosperity of a heartbreaking-ly spoiled child and subsequent rise into decency. "
— Cayley, 2/8/2014 -
" The writing kept me engaged more than the story, at first, because the main character is so arrogant. The story takes an unexpected turn, though, and the main character becomes more interesting. The use of a medium as a plot device, though, made the ending less satisfying to me --her role was unnecessary and contrived, not to mention creepy. Still better than most modern novels! "
— Kristi, 2/6/2014 -
" I really think it was a good book thought nothing really happened in the book. "
— Marianna, 2/4/2014 -
" The book was written in the early '20s but the themes are not dated. Experience is a great teacher, over indulgence of children is not good for their character, forgiveness is soul satisfying. Forgiveness is such an easy concept until we are called upon to use it. The value of an individual based on stratification of who has money in society is a worthless measure of judgment. "
— Dawn, 1/30/2014 -
" An excellent picture of a midwestern city growing and yet declining at the same time with the comimng of the industrialization of the United States is somewhat spoiled by a rather lame ending. The author forces a saccherine redemption onto the main character, who had been a prize ass for three-quarters of the story. Other major characters are unbelievable in their goodness. However, the mother and many of the minor characters are completely believable. A mixed bag here. You may like it, or it may be a wall-banger for you. "
— Gail, 1/27/2014 -
" Story of a family going into decline as the town outgrows them. "
— Stephanie, 1/22/2014 -
" very good - not a very sympathetic "hero" but engaging account of wealthy and powerful dynasty in decline "
— Derek, 1/19/2014 -
" This is the 2nd PPW for 1919. Captures the times very well, filled with great color. "
— Lynda, 1/12/2014
About Booth Tarkington
Booth Tarkington (1869–1946), who achieved overnight success with his first novel, The Gentleman from Indiana (1899), is perhaps best remembered as the author of the popular Penrod adventures and Seventeen. He was awarded two Pulitzer Prizes for Literature and in 1933 received the Gold Medal for Fiction from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
About Geoffrey Blaisdell
Geoffrey Blaisdell is a professional actor who has appeared on and off Broadway, in Broadway national tours, and in regional theater.