The Maid of Maiden Lane (dramatic reading)


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(3.9 stars; 19 reviews)

The Maid of Maiden lane is a wonderful love story in which Mrs. Barr intertwines the hot political and social issues that were occurring in America during the last decade of the 18th century with an excellent love story plot. Some of those issues include: the moral dilemma and debate over the French Revolution, and how that event touched the lives of the immigrants in America; the prejudices between the immigrants from England, and those from France or Holland, and how those animosities affected the ordinary lives of the people; and the political debate over titles, foreign policy, and such things(for example)as where the capital of the nation was to reside, New York or Philadelphia. The author gives us a picture of New York City that is vastly different from today, with it's residential areas and tree lined roads as the backdrop for this very interesting drama. Cornelia, the Maiden of Maiden lane, is loved by two young men. Who she chooses, and the obstacles that the two face because of the opposition of their fathers, friends, and a huge mistake that turns everything upside down, propels the story towards its climax, where a surprise character, spiritual in nature, comes to the rescue, while sacrificing her own desire for love to help the two lovers. Good character, love, and the family ties and relationships that existed during those times are very well portrayed by the author, and the book is as interesting from a historical point of view as it is from a truly interesting and sweet old fashioned love story. (Summary by Robert Hoffman)

Cast:
Narrators: Tiffany Halla Colonna and Beth Thomas

Cornelia Moran: Grace

George Hyde: Chuck Williamson

Arenta Van Ariens: Amanda Friday

Ava Moran: CaprishaPage

Annie Hyde: Victoria Martin

Aunt Angelica: Elizabeth Klett

Richard Hyde: Ron Altman

Kate Hyde: MJ Franck

Joris Van Heemskirk: Algy Pug

Lysbet Van Heemskirk: Kristin Gjerløw

John Moran: Robert Hoffman

Rem Van Ariens: Michael Reuss

Peter Van Ariens: David Lawrence

Jacobus Van Ariens: ToddHW

an Englishman: Beth Thomas

John Adams: ToddHW

Mrs. Adams: April Gonzales

Mrs. Smith: KateC

Thomas Jefferson: Ken Garrett

Mrs. Wiley: KateC

Mary Damer: Charlotte Duckett

Anthony Clymer: Nathanial W.C. Higgins

Doctor Roslyn: Nathanial W.C. Higgins

Captain Jacobus: Nathanial W.C. Higgins

Prooflisteners: Tisha Bordon, Beth Thomas and David Lawrence

Audio edited by: Robert Hoffman, ToddHW and David Lawrence (8 hr 15 min)

Chapters

Cast Intro, Chapter 1 - The Home of Cornelia Moran 18:32 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 2 - This is the Way of Love 29:52 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 3 - Hyde and Arenta 32:04 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Chapter 4 - Throwing Things into Confusion 56:23 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 5 - Turning Over a New Leaf 37:58 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 6 - Aunt Angelica 40:08 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 7 - Arenta's Marriage 29:12 Read by David Lawrence
Chapter 8 - Two Proposals 35:31 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 9 - Misdirected Letters 35:19 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 10 - Life Tied in a Knot 48:39 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 11 - We Have Done With Tears and Treasons 38:35 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 12 - A Heart That Waits 33:01 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 13 - The New Days Come 30:25 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Chapter 14 - Hush! Love is Here! 29:44 Read by LibriVox Volunteers

Reviews

Fabulously Read!


(5 stars)

Thank you Readers for a fabulously done piece of work! It was a well written tale and you all did it great justice. I am so glad I found the book. I had not heard of Ms Barr but stumbled across her in librivox. I am so glad i did! I have already shared the link with several friends. Keep up the great work!

Nice love story!


(5 stars)

Thanks to all the readers.

Not a fan of multiple readers


(2 stars)

I am not a fan of books being read like a play with each character being read by a different person. This book has 24 characters shifting around with 24 readers and thus 24 different voices which I find diminishes the listening pleasure to about zero. The readers each have pleasant voices and I would enjoy them all ... but one at a time.


(5 stars)

A lovely book that shows the author’s wisdom about human nature as displayed in a number of interesting characters. It is a love story but more than that it gives an unusual glimpse of the French Revolution as seen through American eyes just after the American Revolution. Would like to see many more books by this author on LibriVox! L.R.

cover should come from the 1777 era


(1 stars)

The story did not grab my attention and it seemed to dragg. Chucks voice is more sci-fi-ish than lover...lol. the volume of the readers was not consistent and clear as the more experienced readers. Mumblers, well...


(2 stars)

The reader for the hero George Hyde ruined the book for me. He simpered through his lines, making it impossible for me to understand how Cornelia could have been attracted to him. I appreciate that he volunteered his services, but if this is how he reads he should only read parts for dolts and dandies - he would be really good at that!