The Devil's Pool


Read by J. M. Smallheer

(4.2 stars; 62 reviews)

George Sand (the pen name of Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin 1804-1876) is famous for flaunting the conventions of behavior expected of women of her standing in France at the time and for her numerous romantic liaisons including her long standing affair with Frederic Chopin. The Devil’s Pool (published in 1846 as La Mare au Diable) is one of several short pastoral novels drawn from her childhood experiences in the rural French region of Berri. It tells the story of a young widower, Germain, who, at the insistence of his father-in-law, sets out to remarry so that he will have someone to help raise his three young children. (Summary by J. M. Smallheer)

Une version française est disponible : La mare au diable. (3 hr 35 min)

Chapters

Author's Note, Chapters I & II 27:41 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Chapters III-V 23:12 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Chapters VI-VIII 28:35 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Chapters IX-XI 29:42 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Chapers XII-XIV 27:11 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Chapters XV-XVII 18:39 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Appendix Parts I-II 28:09 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Appendix Parts III-IV 31:59 Read by J. M. Smallheer

Reviews

A lost way of life.


(4 stars)

A vignette of French rural life on the cusp of industrialization, before centuries-old customs and folkways were swept aside. The story is simple, but the characters are very engaging. Nicely read by J. M. Smallheer.

A Charming Love Story


(3 stars)

French Country life is well represented here in a lovely short story. One may skip to the 3rd chapter which is the actual beginning of the tale. The narrator is excellent except for the odd habit of dropping the interior “t’s” in certain words. Annoying

With great respect...


(5 stars)

Conventions may be "flouted". Petticoats may be "flaunted". A very frequent mistake.


(4 stars)

Well read word pictures of country life, love and adventure in that era.

Beautiful story


(5 stars)

This book is a lovely telling of the life in the time of, I believe, medieval France. I laughed and smiled almost continuously throughout this story wonderfully read by JM Smallheer

fantastic


(4 stars)

Great little love story giving us a glimpse into peasant life and some of the old customs attached to weddings


(5 stars)

Great story. The description of the wedding was onteresting.


(5 stars)

Rating for audio reader, not book