Episodes Before Thirty
Restored Classics to Go EditionBy Algernon Blackwood
Length11h 25m
About this audiobook
"Episodes Before Thirty" by Algernon Blackwood offers a rich tapestry of early life experiences marked by hardship, horror, and the indelible memories of youth. Set primarily in a cramped New York boarding house, Blackwood vividly depicts the struggles of living amidst vermin, hunger, and the presence of a petty criminal, highlighting universal themes of survival and resilience. The narrative juxtaposes this grim setting with the more whimsical and adventurous atmosphere of Central Park, where camaraderie with fellow wanderers evokes nostalgia and a sense of freedom. Blackwood's journey from Canada to New York chronicles his literary beginnings and the difficulties of earning a living. Engaging in various jobs, including teaching French and working for the Methodist Magazine, he navigates the absurdities and whims of editorial life, all while developing his budding interest in writing and philosophy. A pivotal moment occurs when he inherits money and invests in a dairy farm with Alfred Cooper, an endeavor that quickly turns sour due to his inexperience and naivety. The narrative then shifts to Toronto, where Blackwood considers a risky hotel partnership with his friend John Kay. Despite moral conflicts stemming from his temperance upbringing, the allure of financial recovery and ambition drives him forward. Through these ventures, themes of friendship, ambition, and the harsh realities of entrepreneurial life are explored. Personal relationships add further complexity, particularly with Boyde, whose disappearance and deceit leave Blackwood grappling with loneliness and betrayal. The narrative delves into themes of dependency, forgiveness, and the burden of memory. As Blackwood reflects on his experiences, he finds solace in writing and artistic pursuits, contemplating a future where he can reclaim his life, underscored by themes of patience, redemption, and the small triumphs of hope. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.0 (20)
Includes Goodreads
GenreBiography and Memoir
Length11 hrs 25 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 14, 2025
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1CHAPTER I
18CHAPTER XVIII
2CHAPTER II
19CHAPTER XIX
3CHAPTER III
20CHAPTER XX
4CHAPTER IV
21CHAPTER XXI
5CHAPTER V
22CHAPTER XXII
Mostrar todos os capítulosVer menos
6CHAPTER VI
23CHAPTER XXIII
7CHAPTER VII
24CHAPTER XXIV
8CHAPTER VIII
25CHAPTER XXV
9CHAPTER IX
26CHAPTER XXVI
10CHAPTER X
27CHAPTER XXVII
11CHAPTER XI
28CHAPTER XXVIII
12CHAPTER XII
29CHAPTER XXIX
13CHAPTER XIII
30CHAPTER XXX
14CHAPTER XIV
31CHAPTER XXXI
15CHAPTER XV
32CHAPTER XXXII
16CHAPTER XVI
33Transcriber’s Notes
17CHAPTER XVII
34The Wendigo
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