by Kate Chopin
Published 2019
First published in 1899, this beautiful, brief novel so disturbed critics and the public that it was banished for decades afterward. Now widely read and admired, The Awakening has been hailed as an early vision of woman's emancipation. This sensuous book tells of a woman's abandonment of her family, her seduction, and her awakening to desires and passions that threated to consumer her. Originally entitled "A Solitary Soul," this portrait of twenty-eight-year-old Edna Pontellier is a landmark in American fiction, rooted firmly in the romantic tradition of Herman Melville and Emily Dickinson. Here, a woman in search of self-discovery turns away from convention and society, and toward the primal, from convention and society, and toward the primal, irresistibly attracted to nature and the sensesThe Awakening, Kate Chopin's last novel, has been praised by Edmund Wilson as "beautifully written." And Willa Cather described its style as "exquisite," "sensitive," and "iridescent." This edition of The Awakening also includes a selection of short stories by Kate Chopin. "This seems to me a higher order of feminism than repeating the story of woman as victim... Kate Chopin gives her female protagonist the central role, normally reserved for Man, in a meditation on identity and culture, consciousness and art." -- From the introduction by Marilynne Robinson.
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Solenne's warm, velvety tone and naturally measured pacing create an intimate, fireside-like experience, perfectly capturing the sensuous and reflective qualities of the narrative.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Casual
“The deep, slightly raspy texture of this voice, coupled with its capacity for emotion and drama, would lend itself beautifully to the tragic undertones and intense literary style.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Serious
“With a smooth, captivating intensity, Lauren B offers a controlled dramatic presence that can subtly build intrigue and reflect the story's darker, more profound moments.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“This mature and articulate voice brings an empathetic warmth and grounded quality, ensuring the refined language of the late 19th century is delivered with both elegance and depth.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Possessing a steady cadence and thoughtful storytelling capability, Kira's warm and grounded vocal quality offers an excellent foundation for an elegant and literary narration.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
A voice that starts with a reserved and somewhat detached quality, gradually evolving to express growing passion, desire, and defiance, ultimately carrying a profound and tragic weight.
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“This voice's naturally soothing warmth and gentle expressiveness are ideal for portraying Edna's initial reserved and intimate nature, hinting at deeper emotional currents.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Upbeat
“The description of a 'tenacious woman in her 20's' fits the character's evolving defiance and growing intensity, offering a vibrant, youthful energy to Edna's awakening.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“With a rich, robust, and well-enunciated tone, Lola's voice can effectively transition from conversational ease to the profound passion and dramatic weight Edna eventually carries.”
An authoritative, conventional, and somewhat self-absorbed voice, suggesting a sense of propriety and traditional expectations fitting for Edna's husband.
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“This grounded American baritone, with its measured pacing and clear diction, perfectly embodies Léonce's conventional and somewhat emotionally restrained demeanor.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Friendly · Claim · Narration · Calm · +4 more
“The voice's steady and deliberate pace, combined with a clear and resonant tone, brings a sense of propriety and traditional expectation essential for Edna's husband.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Calm · Authoritative · +3 more
“A deep, measured, and serious quality would suit Léonce's self-absorbed and often critical nature, conveying his societal stance with a calm, imposing presence.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Deep · Anime · Narration · Calm · +5 more
“This professional male voice, characterized by its clear articulation and projected maturity, delivers the conventional and expectation-laden tone Léonce would exhibit.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Character · Character-Voice · Narration · Deep · +5 more
“A deep, serious, and slightly weathered vocal texture provides an underlying gravitas that speaks to Léonce's traditional worldview and subtle sense of entitlement.”