The Red and the Black | Stendhal | Books in Sound
Season 3 Episode 25
"The Red and the Black" is a novel written by French author Stendhal, published in 1830. Set in the 19th century, the book follows the story of Julien Sorel, a young ambitious man from a poor background who aspires to rise in society. Julien, despite his humble origins, is highly intelligent and driven by his desire for power, wealth, and social status.
The plot revolves around Julien's journey as he navigates through various social circles, using his wit and cunning to climb the social ladder. He becomes involved in love affairs with two women, Madame de Rênal, the wife of a local mayor, and Mathilde de La Mole, the daughter of a wealthy aristocrat. These relationships not only serve as avenues for Julien's advancement but also expose the complexities of love, desire, and social class.
The novel is known for its insightful portrayal of the social and political climate of post-Napoleonic France. It delves into themes such as ambition, love, hypocrisy, and the clash between individual desires and societal expectations. Stendhal's writing style combines psychological depth with social commentary, providing a rich and nuanced exploration of human nature and the constraints of society.
The radio presentation of "The Red and the Black" through the "NBC University Theater" brought Stendhal's classic novel to a broader audience. The radio adaptation aimed to capture the essence of the characters and their motivations, as well as the social and political backdrop of the story. Through skilled voice acting and sound effects, the radio production provided an immersive experience for the listeners, transporting them into the world of Julien Sorel and his quest for power and love. The radio presentation allowed for a wider appreciation of Stendhal's work, showcasing the timeless themes and enduring relevance of "The Red and the Black" in a new medium.
Books in Sound is a free podcast series that presents a collection of hundreds of the world’s greatest books through the magic of the performing arts.
Different from audiobooks: Instead of having a single narrator read an audiobook, these performances have a full cast of actors, suitable background music, and special effects that help define the drama.
Most presentations are from old time radio theater broadcasts that have been remastered to remove most of the hissing, clicking and volume fluctuations. Many of the presentations are from the 1930's and 1940's, so a significant amount of work went into the remastering process.
Most presentations are about one hour, some are multiple hours, and some are abbreviated presentation that last about half an hour, making this series wonderful for bedtime stories, self-improvement by learning about literature, or simply as a very imaginative form of entertainment.
The episodes are not sequential, but we do recommend listening to the complete collection starting with the first episode so that you can grow and benefit from the wide assortment of styles and content.
For more information visit https://www.booksinsound.com
