The House Behind the Cedars
Charles Waddell Chesnutt
Read by James K. White
In this, Chesnutt's first novel, he tells the tragic story of love set against a backdrop of racism, miscegenation and “passing” during the period spanning the antebellum and reconstruction eras in American history. And through his use of the vernacular prevalent in the South of that time, Chesnutt lent a compassionate voice to a group that America did not want to hear. More broadly, however, Chesnutt illustrated, in this character play, the vast and perhaps insurmountable debt this country continues to pay for the sins of slavery. (Summary by James K. White) (7 hr 29 min)
Chapters
A Stranger From South Carolina | 20:26 | Read by James K. White |
An Evening Visit | 28:10 | Read by James K. White |
The Old Judge | 5:21 | Read by James K. White |
Down The River | 13:31 | Read by James K. White |
The Tournament | 20:02 | Read by James K. White |
The Queen of Love and Beauty | 6:08 | Read by James K. White |
'Mid New Surroundings | 6:25 | Read by James K. White |
The Courtship | 15:30 | Read by James K. White |
Doubts And Fears | 16:40 | Read by James K. White |
The Dream | 12:17 | Read by James K. White |
A Letter and A Journey | 11:53 | Read by James K. White |
Tryon Goes To Patesville | 17:59 | Read by James K. White |
An Injudicious Payment | 11:56 | Read by James K. White |
A Loyal Friend | 11:45 | Read by James K. White |
Mine Own People | 14:11 | Read by James K. White |
The Bottom Falls Out | 11:01 | Read by James K. White |
Two Letters | 7:55 | Read by James K. White |
Under The Old Regime | 35:32 | Read by James K. White |
God Made Us All | 18:37 | Read by James K. White |
Digging Up Roots | 6:35 | Read by James K. White |
A Gilded Opportunity | 15:39 | Read by James K. White |
Imperative Business | 9:14 | Read by James K. White |
The Guest of Honor | 16:56 | Read by James K. White |
Swing Your Partners | 12:40 | Read by James K. White |
Balance All | 7:33 | Read by James K. White |
The Schoolhouse In The Woods | 9:08 | Read by James K. White |
An Interesting Acquaintance | 7:02 | Read by James K. White |
The Lost Knife | 11:30 | Read by James K. White |
Plato Earns Half A Dollar | 13:58 | Read by James K. White |
An Unusual Honor | 12:04 | Read by James K. White |
In Deep Waters | 13:36 | Read by James K. White |
The Power of Love | 7:33 | Read by James K. White |
A Mule And A Cart | 21:09 | Read by James K. White |
Reviews
The House Behind The Cedars
Terri Lynn
This is an excellent look into post Civil War America and it's strong cast system against people based on the amount of melatonin in their skin. I'm ashamed to say that ignorance still abounds. I believe if we take one person at a time and listen to their heart with our heart PRE JUDGING will wilt away like the Cancer that fouls our great company. My sincerest compliments to Mr. Jack White. Your ability to change and remember all of the different characters and feel the frustration and anguish portrayed then and TO OUR NATIONS SHAME is still around today. OUTSTANDING NARRATOR!
A LibriVox Listener
I found myself not only following the love story, but admiring how succinctly Charles Chestnut shows the thinking and mindset of every characacter. Flawed and mistaken thoughts are unveiled without judgment by the writer. One is left with the feeling that wicked systems visit a lot of ignorance and broken hearts on the lives of otherwise decent people. Almost every character is faced with some moral dilemma, sometimes only momentarily. Chestnut weaves his tale through the tangled barbwire of an illogical caste system whose effects linger and poison. Awesome writing.
good book, amazing reading
anb
The book is well written and wonderfully narrated. The story of impossible love is nothing new, but the racial tensions around it allow it to be told under a new light.
Profound *spoiler warning*
Kim B
Excellent reading of a tale that speaks to the depth and breadth of the destructive impact of racism, not only on racialize people but also on white.
Great book
Antawnette
A very riveting tale of love and racism set in an old backdrop. Loved it
Beautiful story
Luca Colautti
a beautiful story ready by a First Class reader
Wow is right! Love this reader! Engaging, brings story to life!
A LibriVox Listener
great story
Michael Perkins
great story and well read