The First of April

Unveiling the Absurdities of April Fools' Day in 18th-Century EnglandBy William Combe
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length46m

About this audiobook

In "The First of April," William Combe delivers a sharp and satirical narrative that cleverly intertwines humor with social commentary. The book, first published in the early 19th century, employs a witty prose style characteristic of the period'Äôs literary satire, blending elements of parody and farce. Combe invites readers to explore themes of deception, folly, and societal norms, all set against the backdrop of April Fools' Day'Äîa fitting context for his exploration of human nature's penchant for prankery. The vigor of his narrative is enhanced by whimsical illustrations, enriching the reader'Äôs experience and presenting a unique medley of text and visual storytelling. William Combe, a contemporary of literary giants such as Jane Austen, drew upon his rich background in publishing and travel writing to create this distinctive work. His keen observations of society, coupled with a razor-sharp wit, stemmed from a life immersed in the literary and social elite of his time. Combe'Äôs experiences as a novelist and a poet allowed him to encapsulate the essence of his era, crafting a narrative that resonates with both laughter and reflection. "The First of April" is a delightful read that appeals to lovers of 19th-century literature and those who appreciate satire's incisive critique of society. This book serves not only as a humorous narrative but as a mirror reflecting the absurdities of human behavior. Readers will find value in its ability to entertain while provoking thought, making it a timely addition to any literary collection.

Audiobook details

GenreHumor
Length46 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateAug 22, 2023
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1Introduction
5THE
2OR, THE
6FINIS.
3CELEBRATED DUTCHESS.
7FOOTNOTES:
4TO A

More from William Combe

Lost In TranslationAudrey Davis9h 15m4.4 (235)Free
Welcome to PawneeJim O'Heir6h 24m4.5 (5.3K)$24 · $0.00
Going PostalTerry Pratchett13h 36m4.5 (163.8K)$33 · $0.00
Woman UninterruptedBrodie Kane7h 1m4.6 (562)$24 · $0.00
1984 & Animal Farm (Annotated)George Orwell15h 54m4.5 (220.8K)$1.99 · $0.00
Kingsblood Royal (Annotated)Sinclair Lewis14h 42m4.6 (264)$2 · $0.00
This Is Going to HurtAdam Kay5h 47m4.4 (444.7K)$24 · $0.00
You Will Get Through This NightDaniel Howell6h 56m4.4 (11.8K)$24 · $0.00
Northanger Abbey (Annotated)Jane Austen10h 7m4.5 (1.6K)$2 · $0.00
My Dear HamiltonStephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie23h 7m4.4 (63.6K)$46 · $0.00
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS & SCREWTAPE PROPOSES A TOAST (Annotated)C. S. Lewis5h 6m4.4 (471K)$2 · $0.00
BufferingHannah Hart5h 55m4.4 (12.4K)$24 · $0.00
The Office BFFsJenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey8h 26m4.3 (45.4K)$26 · $0.00
The Collected Stories of Dorothy ParkerDorothy Parker8h 36m4.3 (13.6K)$1 · $0.00
LambChristopher Moore15h 22m4.3 (211.3K)$33 · $0.00
The Importance of Being Earnest (World's Classics Series)Oscar Wilde4h 10m4.3 (467.3K)$1.99 · $0.00
#IMomSoHardKristin Hensley, Jen Smedley7h 19m4.3 (7.3K)$24 · $0.00
Mixed PlateJo Koy8h 18m4.3 (7.1K)$26 · $0.00
Over the TopJonathan Van Ness5h 50m4.3 (87.3K)$24 · $0.00
It Never EndsTom Scharpling8h 53m4.4 (2.3K)$20 · $0.00

You may also like

Lives of the English Poets : Prior, Congreve, Blackmore, PopeSamuel Johnson7h 32m4.0 (432)$2 · $0.00
The Vision of Piers PlowmanWilliam Langland2h 23m3.9 (12K)$15
How To Tell A Story and Other EssaysMark Twain6h 5m3.9 (1.7K)$2.30
PersuasionJane Austen7h 44m4.3 (953.4K)$16 · $0.00
The AlchemistBen Jonson3h 53m3.7 (5.6K)$2.30
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Ultimate Collection: ALL 38 Plays & Complete Poetry (Annotated)William Shakespeare156h 30m4.5 (5.2K)$2 · $0.00
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF LORD BYRON, Vol 7Lord Byron2h 40m$2.30
PoetryJohn Skelton41h 16m3.9 (114)$1.99 · $0.00
The Poetical Works of John Skelton (Vol. 1&2)John Skelton43h 29m$2 · $0.00
Philip MassingerAlfred Hamilton Cruickshank7h 4m$1.50 · $0.00
Poetical WorksCharles Churchill10h 40m3.7 (18)$1 · $0.00
The Satires of Juvenal, Persius, Sulpicia, and Lucilius (Annotated)Persius, Gaius Lucilius, Juvenal, Sulpicia20h 41m4.2 (50)$1.99 · $0.00
Quaint Gleanings from Ancient PoetryEdmund Goldsmid1h 5m$2 · $0.00
The True-Born Englishman: A SatireDaniel Defoe2h 22m3.7 (207)$2 · $0.00
Social England under the Regency (Annotated)John Ashton15h 17m4.4 (11)$2 · $0.00
Sorrow in Sunlight (Annotated)Ronald Firbank3h 1m3.3 (62)$2 · $0.00
The Visions of Dom Francisco de Quevedo VillegasFrancisco de Quevedo8h 3m3.7 (547)$2 · $0.00
Shapes of ClayAmbrose Bierce5h 8m3.4 (32)$2 · $0.00
The Shakespeare-Expositor (Annotated)Thomas Keightley12h 27m$2 · $0.00
A Poem to the Memory of our late lamented Queen Caroline of EnglandJames Parkerson9m$2 · $0.00