The Red and The Black cover art

The Red and The Black

Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £24.99

Buy Now for £24.99

About this listen

The tale of social-climbing arriviste Julien Sorel brilliantly captures the contradictions and hypocrisies permeating French society under the Bourbon Restoration. Using his formidable intellect, innate cunning and charm, the tale of social-climbing arriviste Julien Sorel brilliantly captures the contradictions and hypocrisies permeating French society under the Bourbon Restoration. Using his formidable intellect, innate cunning and charm, Julien clambers his way to the top, manipulating and seducing those who have the power to give him the social status he desires. clambers his way to the top, manipulating and seducing those who have the power to give him the social status he desires. However, Julien’s idealism and Napoleonic ambitions are always simmering just below the surface, threatening to erupt and jeopardize his designs. For how long will he be able to smother his true feelings? Bill Homewood’s reading masterfully portrays the psychological tension and intrigue of this French classic.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2011 Naxos AudioBooks
Classics

Editor reviews

British actor Bill Homewood has a deep, sonorous voice and narrates with almost musical refinement. Stendhal's wonderful chronicle of the nineteenth century tells the story of his hypocritical protagonist, Julien Sorel. A poor youth and brilliant scholar, Julien begins a career in the church despite his liberal views and his disgust for his superiors. His pious front gives him access to aristocratic households as a tutor, but his ambition for social prestige leads him to scandal and ruin. Homewood is chameleon-like in his versatility with vocal characterizations, easily switching from the youthful Julien's timid, earnest voice to the condescending tone of Monsieur de Renal. Masterful in his narration, Homewood captures all the nuances in the tone and language of Stendhal's writing.

No reviews yet