First the Blade
Enriched edition. A Comedy of GrowthBy Clemence Dane
Length11h 43m
About this audiobook
In "First the Blade," Clemence Dane intricately weaves a narrative that explores the profound psychological and emotional landscapes underpinned by wartime experiences. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the novel deftly captures the clash between individual aspirations and the overarching realities of conflict. Dane's literary style is marked by rich imagery and poignant prose, immersing readers in the fragmented lives of her characters as they navigate love, loss, and the haunting specter of war. The book reflects the broader literary context of the early 20th century, where themes of disillusionment and existential inquiry took center stage, and offers a compelling examination of the human condition during times of upheaval. Clemence Dane, born in 1888, was a notable British playwright and novelist, whose own experiences and observations of World War I undoubtedly informed her writing. As a prominent figure in the literary circles of the time, she interacted with influential contemporaries and was deeply affected by the societal changes brought about by the war. This personal connection to the tumultuous events shaped her ability to portray genuine depth in her characters and settings, making "First the Blade" a reflective commentary on the era. For readers intrigued by the complexities of human emotion and the impact of history, "First the Blade" is a must-read. It stands not only as a historical narrative but also as a timeless exploration of resilience and the fragility of life. Dane's masterful storytelling and vivid characterizations will resonate with those seeking to understand the intertwining of personal and collective experiences in the face of adversity.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreHistorical Fiction, General Fiction
Length11 hrs 43 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJul 21, 2022
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
7First the Blade (pt. 4)
2Synopsis
8First the Blade (pt. 5)
3Historical Context
9Analysis
4First the Blade (pt. 1)
10Reflection
5First the Blade (pt. 2)
11Memorable Quotes
Show all chaptersShow less
6First the Blade (pt. 3)
More from Clemence Dane
The Ghost by the Billabong (The Matilda Saga, #5)Jackie French14h 58m4.6 (773)$33 · $0.00
The Labyrinth of the SpiritsCarlos Ruiz Zafon27h 55m4.5 (77.2K)$53 · $0.00
The Things We Cannot SayKelly Rimmer13h 48m4.5 (359.1K)$33 · $0.00
Lieutenant Hornblower (Annotated)C. S. Forester11h 41m4.5 (2.9K)$2 · $0.00
Rilla of InglesideLucy Maud Montgomery11h 44m4.5 (48.2K)$2 · $0.00
The Viennese DressmakerKathryn Gauci11h 46m4.5 (2.1K)$23 · $0.00
The Man in the Brown Suit & They Came to BaghdadAgatha Christie15h 43m4.6 (495)$33 · $0.00
Under the Light of the Italian MoonJennifer Anton12h 28m4.5 (5.3K)$23 · $0.00
Jubilee, 50th Anniversary EditionMargaret Walker15h 43m4.5 (9.5K)$25 · $0.00
Pride and PrejudiceJane Austen14h 44m4.4 (4.7M)$2 · $0.00
Flying Colours (Annotated)Cecil Louis Troughton Smith9h 26m4.4 (10.1K)$2 · $0.00
With Love from HarlemReShonda Tate13h 48m4.5 (2K)$6 · $0.00
Sweet Home Highland ChristmasMay McGoldrick, Jan Coffey2h 54m4.5 (1.4K)$7 · $0.00
Rilla of InglesideL. M. Montgomery12h 25m4.4 (67.5K)$2 · $0.00
Death Comes for the Archbishop (Annotated)Willa Cather9h 13m4.4 (4.7K)$2 · $0.00
The Alice NetworkKate Quinn15h 7m4.4 (887.1K)$33 · $0.00
The Goddess of WarsawLisa Barr13h 4m4.4 (36.4K)$33 · $0.00
The Ohio River Trilogy: Betty Zane, The Spirit of the Border & The Last TrailZane Grey29h 8m4.4 (1.8K)$1 · $0.00
The Attic ChildLola Jaye14h 46m4.4 (21K)$33 · $0.00
Martyr of the CatacombsJames De Mille3h 41m4.5 (744)$1 · $0.00
WhistlerAnn Patchett10h 45m4.6 (4.6K)$29 · $0.00
Demon CopperheadBarbara Kingsolver21h 3m4.5 (949.4K)$46 · $0.00
To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee12h 18m4.5 (7.4M)$29 · $0.00
Remarkably Bright CreaturesShelby Van Pelt11h 17m4.4 (1.7M)$29 · $0.00
War LordBernard Cornwell13h 21m4.6 (33.1K)$33 · $0.00
The Great Gatsby: Original 1925 Edition (An F. Scott Fitzgerald Classic NovelFrancis Scott Fitzgerald4h 45m4.6 (9.3K)$18 · $0.00
Something Like LoveBeverly Jenkins10h 21m4.6 (2.7K)$29 · $0.00
Black History CollectionFrederick Douglass, Harriet Ann Jacobs, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois27h 9m4.6 (2.6K)$18 · $0.00
The Old Man and the Sea (Annotated)Ernest Hemingway4h 27m4.6 (1.4K)$2 · $0.00
White HotIlona Andrews13h 18m4.5 (136.9K)$5 · $0.00
The Ghost by the Billabong (The Matilda Saga, #5)Jackie French14h 58m4.6 (773)$33 · $0.00
Cast in BloodMichelle Sagara16h 35m4.6 (607)$33 · $0.00
The Captain Blood Trilogy (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini29h 20m4.6 (1K)$3 · $0.00
Ship of the Line (Annotated)Cecil Louis Troughton Smith11h 13m4.6 (1K)$2 · $0.00
The George Orwell CollectionGeorge Orwell24h 46m4.5 (14.4K)$12 · $0.00
Time RegainedMarcel Proust15h 38m4.5 (9.2K)$2 · $0.00
Driving ForceElle James4h 58m4.6 (407)$20 · $0.00
When God Calls the HeartBrian Bird, Michelle Cox3h 24m4.6 (439)$10 · $0.00
Five Little IndiansMichelle Good10h 34m4.5 (64.5K)$29 · $0.00
Lolth's WarriorR. A. Salvatore13h 20m4.6 (2.4K)$33 · $0.00
You may also like
The Heroes' WelcomeLouisa Young8h 30m4.0 (1.2K)$26 · $0.00
Rilla of InglesideL. M. Montgomery11h 40m4.4 (72.5K)$25
Anna KareninaLeo Tolstoy36h 14m4.2 (1.1M) · 2662Free
Rilla of Ingleside (Annotated)Lucy Maud Montgomery13h 27m4.4 (67.1K)$2 · $0.00
Tony's WifeAdriana Trigiani12h 39m3.8 (8.5K)$33 · $0.00
My Dear I Wanted to Tell YouLouisa Young10h 47m4.0 (10.3K)$29 · $0.00
Last Christmas in ParisHazel Gaynor, Heather Webb8h 8m4.2 (40.7K)$26 · $0.00
THE GREATEST DICKENS CLASSICS (Illustrated Edition)Charles Dickens337h 30m4.5 (1.2K)$1 · $0.00
A Life: The Humble Truth (The Classic Unabridged English Edition) (Annotated)Guy de Maupassant7h 56m4.0 (19.1K)$2 · $0.00
GraciannaTrini Amador8h 59m4.0 (413)$23
Night and DayVirginia Woolf18h 35m3.8 (14.1K)$2.30
Crimson Roses (Annotated)Grace Livingston Hill8h 32m4.2 (1.7K)$2 · $0.00
Fathers and ChildrenIvan Sergeevich Turgenev8h 15m4.1 (117.4K)$2.30 · $0.00
Camilla, A Picture of Youth (Annotated)Frances Burney47h 43m3.8 (3.4K)$2 · $0.00
In ChanceryJohn Galsworthy10h 56m4.3 (2.8K)$21
Whiteoak HeritageMazo de la Roche11h 1m4.0 (467)$3.50 · $0.00
The Head of the House of Coombe & Robin (Annotated)Frances Hodgson Burnett24h 7m3.8 (263)$2 · $0.00
"That Old-Time Child, Roberta": Her Home-Life on the FarmSophie Fox Sea2h 5m$1 · $0.00
The Tree of HeavenMay Sinclair10h 36m3.7 (150)$2 · $0.00
Love and LamentJohn Milliken Thompson13h 7m3.3 (220)$23