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Audiobooks > Fiction >  General Fiction > The Matisse Stories
The Matisse Stories Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt Play Audiobook Sample

The Matisse Stories Audiobook

By: A. S. Byatt
The Matisse Stories Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Wanda McCaddon Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 1.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: October 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781481540834
3.65 out of 53.65 out of 53.65 out of 53.65 out of 53.65 out of 5 (3.65) - 80 listener ratings
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Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

3

Longest Chapter Length:

73:57 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

30:31 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

52:10 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

10

Other Audiobooks Written by A. S. Byatt: > View All...

Possession Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt
A Whistling Woman Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt
Angels & Insects Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt
The Children's Book Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt
The Matisse Stories Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt
The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt
The Game: A Novel Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt
The Virgin in the Garden Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt
Medusa's Ankles: Selected Stories Audiobook, by A. S. Byatt

Publisher Description

In this elegant set of stories, three modern women are touched in different ways by the paintings of Henri Matisse.

In “Medusa’s Ankles,” a distinguished translator visits a hair salon hoping to regain a hint of her youthful looks. Hung on the wall before her is one of Matisse’s iconic portraits.

In “Art Works,” the three inhabitants of one household—a generous wife, her petulant husband, and their regal housekeeper—make very different artists.

And in “The Chinese Lobster,” a self-tortured, anorexic art student confronts the smug opulence of Matisse’s nudes while pondering suicide.

Download and start listening now!

"These three stories impressed me deeply. Each sets up interesting characters in particular mental states, and in the last page sprung twists that were each shockingly well-conceived and well-written. They hit to the emotional core in a way that's almost devastating. "

— Heather (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Hits the imagination’s retina with all the vibrant splatter of an exploding paint-box…Everywhere, scenes sizzle with chromatic intensity.”

    — Sunday Times (London)

  • “I have the hardback, but it is better to hear [McCaddon] linger on some of Byatt’s finely honed description…Virtually every phrase is a treat for the ears. [McCaddon], a professional narrator from way back, knows how to make each word count.” 

    — Philadelphia Inquirer

  • “[Wanda McCaddon] brings just the right amount of emotion to three subtle and witty stories…The combination of [McCaddon’s] animated style and Byatt’s vivid workmanship results in a seamless and engrossing audio production.”

    — AudioFile

  • “Ravishing descriptions of sounds, colors, and smells…bring each setting to life and steer each conflict to its eviscerating conclusion…These are breathtakingly beautiful stories, rendered with precision and poetry.”

    — Booklist

  • “Byatt uses bright splashes of verbal color…to paint word pictures similar to the oil paintings of Matisse…[The] plots are expertly crafted and completely believable, with surprising twists and turns…These are memorable portraits.”

    — Library Journal

  • “[McCaddon’s]…excellent pacing and authoritative grip on the material won me over. Her narration commands attention from beginning to end.”

    — Kliatt

The Matisse Stories Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.57894736842105 out of 53.57894736842105 out of 53.57894736842105 out of 53.57894736842105 out of 53.57894736842105 out of 5 (3.58)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 5
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Two out of 3 of the stories in this collection have a satisfying twist towards the end. A pity the 3rd one is so lame. Altogether there are too many descriptions of objects and the link with Matisse is tenuous at best. "

    — Pascale, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I don't generally care for fiction that uses works of art as a point of departure, but this collection worked becaue Byatt makes such skillful use of the themes of feminism and feminine body images. "

    — Peter, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Three longish short stories that are pleasant to read. "

    — Jonah, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A.S. Byatt is one of my favourite authors, and this book of short stories inspired by artwork from Matisse was edifying. "

    — Fiona, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A.S. Byatt is an almost perfect novelist for the Anglophilic history lover. Her works are satisfyingly dense and voluble. This collection of short stories is easier to take in (small doses) than her longer tomes, but nuanced and enjoyable as well. "

    — Megan, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The stories remind how unhinged art, and artists, can be, but more importantly how crazy the art world can be. Does art reflect this loopiness? I enjoyed this a lot and now intend to read more A S Byatt. "

    — Nigel, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 2 out of 3 stories are good. Nice for BART. "

    — Jen, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " great quick read...details and great characters "

    — Jami, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good, varied, intriguing, subtle. Each vaguely inspired by a Matisse painting. Probably worth 3.5*. "

    — Cecily, 11/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Pefect little book of short stories that shows the relationship of art and liturature... Brilliant as all of Byatt's work is. You will fall in love with Matisse in a new way. "

    — Jessica, 11/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " There should be a green star for "read it, but don't remember a thing about it," altho that in itself is sort of a review. "

    — Ruth, 11/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " ehhhh, probably more like 3 stars, but I started reading The Fire Next Time right after it, and pretty much anything would suffer in comparison. Found this a little literal for me, but would still be interested in Little Black Book of Stories. "

    — Alwa, 11/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Three amazing stories about art. "

    — Holly, 5/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Gorgeous prose, especially if you love art. Felt like I was back in English class. Savored every word. "

    — Betsy, 11/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 3 short stories. I loved the second and third. In-depth knowledge of Matisse not necessary, but probably helpful. "

    — Anne, 11/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Thoughtful series of stories that stick with the reader afterwards. "

    — Selma, 6/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A. S. Byatt is a terrific author. I liked some of these short stories. "

    — Kim, 5/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not as incredible as Possession, but I do love Matisse. "

    — Zoe, 2/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " What I am reading... "

    — Alisa, 2/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting and very well written stories. I found them to be a vibrant description of human nature. "

    — Andrea, 9/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I prefer novels to short stories. She is an outstanding writer. "

    — Kerri, 5/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I totally did not get it. "

    — Kara, 3/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " ehhhh, probably more like 3 stars, but I started reading The Fire Next Time right after it, and pretty much anything would suffer in comparison. Found this a little literal for me, but would still be interested in Little Black Book of Stories. "

    — Alwa, 2/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " ehhhh, probably more like 3 stars, but I started reading The Fire Next Time right after it, and pretty much anything would suffer in comparison. Found this a little literal for me, but would still be interested in Little Black Book of Stories. "

    — Alwa, 2/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Byatt has the rare gift of writing about art, color and vision. These stories vividly evoke the way that artists see. Each is a gem! "

    — Patricia, 1/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A.S. Byatt is one of my favourite authors, and this book of short stories inspired by artwork from Matisse was edifying. "

    — Fiona, 1/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A.S. Byatt is one of my favourite authors, and this book of short stories inspired by artwork from Matisse was edifying. "

    — Fiona, 1/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I'm always interested in how far Byatt will veer in the direction of being politically incorrect, but then draw back before it's too late. "

    — Dwwebber, 5/27/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I'm always interested in how far Byatt will veer in the direction of being politically incorrect, but then draw back before it's too late. "

    — Dwwebber, 5/27/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Three beautifully written treasures to make you think about art and how it affects our lives. A good introduction to A. S. Byatt. "

    — Ann, 10/23/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Three beautifully written treasures to make you think about art and how it affects our lives. A good introduction to A. S. Byatt. "

    — Ann, 10/23/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I only read "Art Work", but it was a very well-written story. Wonderful depth of character combined with a social perspective. "

    — Rosemary, 10/1/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Her style is elegant and her characters are poignant. Stories are not much about plot as they are about the language and the tone. "

    — Daniel, 7/7/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Her style is elegant and her characters are poignant. Stories are not much about plot as they are about the language and the tone. "

    — Daniel, 7/7/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " wonderful little book esp the last story. She always does the wonderful little contradictions of academia particularly well. Book work reading for the last story which stays with you like a painting. The woman is an art historian by trade I believe. IT works. "

    — Gloria, 7/4/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " wonderful little book esp the last story. She always does the wonderful little contradictions of academia particularly well. Book work reading for the last story which stays with you like a painting. The woman is an art historian by trade I believe. IT works. "

    — Gloria, 7/4/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A. S. Byatt is a terrific author. I liked some of these short stories. "

    — Kim, 6/21/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A. S. Byatt is a terrific author. I liked some of these short stories. "

    — Kim, 6/21/2009

About A. S. Byatt

A. S. Byatt (1936–2023) was a distinguished critic and author of numerous works, including Possession: A Romance, which won the Booker Prize for Fiction, the Irish Times International Fiction Prize, and the Commonwealth Writers Prize. Her other works also garnered awards and acclaim, and she was granted numerous honorary degrees. She was educated at Newnham College, Cambridge; Bryn Mawr College; and Somerville College, Oxford. In 1999 she was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

About Wanda McCaddon

Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.