The Birthmark (A Dark Tale of Love & Obsession)

The Birthmark (A Dark Tale of Love & Obsession)

Enriched edition. Including Author's BiographyBy Nathaniel Hawthorne
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length6h 5m

About this audiobook

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Birthmark (A Dark Tale of Love & Obsession),' readers are confronted with a haunting story that explores the destructive forces of perfectionism and obsession. Set in the 18th century Puritan society, the novella delves into the life of the brilliant scientist Aylmer and his deep-seated desire to remove the single flaw on his wife's otherwise flawless face. Through vivid imagery and symbolic motifs, Hawthorne creates a dark and atmospheric tale that challenges societal norms and underscores the dangers of pursuing unattainable ideals of beauty and perfection. The allegorical nature of the narrative invites readers to reflect on timeless themes of love, mortality, and the limits of human ambition. A must-read for those interested in Gothic literature and psychological exploration, 'The Birthmark' showcases Hawthorne's mastery of prose and his astute understanding of human nature. 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. - An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text. - 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

GenreGeneral Fiction, Horror
Length6 hrs 5 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 6, 2017
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1Introduction
6The Birthmark (A Dark Tale of Love & Obsession) (pt. 1)
2Introduction
7The Birthmark (A Dark Tale of Love & Obsession) (pt. 2)
3Synopsis
8Analysis
4Historical Context
9Reflection
5Author Biography
10Memorable Quotes
The Dolliver Romance
The Dolliver RomanceNathaniel Hawthorne1h 50m$2 · $0.00
Sketches and Studies
Sketches and StudiesNathaniel Hawthorne5h 58m$2 · $0.00
The Toll Gatherer's Day (From "Twice Told Tales")
The Toll Gatherer's Day (From "Twice Told Tales")Nathaniel Hawthorne1h 30m$2 · $0.00
Old News (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")
Old News (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")Nathaniel Hawthorne1h 4m$2 · $0.00
A Select Party
A Select PartyNathaniel Hawthorne1h 49m$2 · $0.00
The Threefold Destiny (From "Twice Told Tales")
The Threefold Destiny (From "Twice Told Tales")Nathaniel Hawthorne1h 36m$2 · $0.00
Rappaccini's Daughter (Unabridged)
Rappaccini's Daughter (Unabridged)Nathaniel Hawthorne6h 37m$1 · $0.00
A Rill from the Town Pump
A Rill from the Town PumpNathaniel Hawthorne1h 30m$2 · $0.00
The Three Golden Apples (From: "A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys")
The Three Golden Apples (From: "A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys")Nathaniel Hawthorne1h 1m$2 · $0.00
Fire Worship (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")
Fire Worship (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")Nathaniel Hawthorne1h 30m$2 · $0.00
The Lily's Quest (From "Twice Told Tales")
The Lily's Quest (From "Twice Told Tales")Nathaniel Hawthorne1h 31m$2 · $0.00
The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet LetterNathaniel Hawthorne10h$2 · $0.00
Mosses from an Old Manse, and Other Stories
Mosses from an Old Manse, and Other StoriesNathaniel Hawthorne7h 49m$1 · $0.00
The Gorgon's Head (From: "A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys")
The Gorgon's Head (From: "A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys")Nathaniel Hawthorne1h 10m$2 · $0.00
The Complete Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne: Novels, Short Stories, Poetry, Essays, Letters and Memoirs (Illustrated Edition)
The Complete Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne: Novels, Short Stories, Poetry, Essays, Letters and Memoirs (Illustrated Edition)Nathaniel Hawthorne332h 50m$2 · $0.00
Chippings with a Chisel (From "Twice Told Tales")
Chippings with a Chisel (From "Twice Told Tales")Nathaniel Hawthorne1h 41m$2 · $0.00
Fanshawe
FanshaweNathaniel Hawthorne4h 10m$2 · $0.00
Der scharlachrote Buchstabe
Der scharlachrote BuchstabeNathaniel Hawthorne10h 12m$2 · $0.00
The Wives of the Dead (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")
The Wives of the Dead (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")Nathaniel Hawthorne16m$2 · $0.00
Leyendas de la Casa Provincial
Leyendas de la Casa ProvincialNathaniel Hawthorne2h 6m$1 · $0.00

You may also like

The Collected Works of Wallace D. Wattles (10 Books in One Edition)
The Collected Works of Wallace D. Wattles (10 Books in One Edition)Wallace D. Wattles17h 18m$2 · $0.00
The World as Will and Idea (Vol. 1 of 3)
The World as Will and Idea (Vol. 1 of 3)Arthur Schopenhauer20h 17m$2.30
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
An Enquiry Concerning Human UnderstandingDavid Hume5h 59m$2.30
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
An Enquiry Concerning Human UnderstandingDavid Hume7h 23m$1 · $0.00
Democracy and Education An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education
Democracy and Education An Introduction to the Philosophy of EducationJohn Dewey15h 33m$2.30
Caruso and Tetrazzini on the Art of Singing
Caruso and Tetrazzini on the Art of SingingLuisa Tetrazzini, Enrico Caruso2h 42m$1 · $0.00
Blackboard Drawing
Blackboard DrawingFrederick Whitney25m$2 · $0.00
Ultimate Customer Service
Ultimate Customer ServiceMade for Success8h 9m$20
Business & Economics Collection: Thorstein Veblen Edition (30+ Works in One Volume)
Business & Economics Collection: Thorstein Veblen Edition (30+ Works in One Volume)Thorstein Veblen91h 26m$2 · $0.00
Sell to Anyone!
Sell to Anyone!Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy3h 13m$20
A Book of Prefaces
A Book of PrefacesH. L. Mencken7h 33m$2 · $0.00
How to Write a Novel: A Practical Guide to the Art of Fiction
How to Write a Novel: A Practical Guide to the Art of FictionAnonymous3h 5m$2 · $0.00
Public Speaking Superstar
Public Speaking SuperstarMade for Success7h 25m$30
CEO Communication Skills
CEO Communication SkillsMade for Success8h 59m$20
Why Women Buy
Why Women BuyDawn Jones3h 54m$20
Extempore Speech: How to Acquire and Practice It
Extempore Speech: How to Acquire and Practice ItWilliam Pittenger5h 59m$1 · $0.00
Introduction to the scientific study of education
Introduction to the scientific study of educationCharles Hubbard Judd13h 23m$1 · $0.00
The Play of Man
The Play of ManKarl Groos14h$1 · $0.00
Contemporary Composers
Contemporary ComposersDaniel Gregory Mason5h 23m$2 · $0.00
Copywriter Pro Course
Copywriter Pro CourseEdivaldo Ascaneo33m$6 · $0.00