The Rise of Silas Lapham

William Dean Howells

Lu par LibriVox Volunteers

(4.6 stars; 16 reviews)

The Rise of Silas Lapham is the most widely read of W.D. Howells’ novels. An example of literary realism, the story is about a farmer (Silas Lapham) who launches a very successful paint business, and moves his family up the social ladder of Boston. Lapham, however, is not one of the new types of American businessman, the ruthless plutocrat, rather he is the old-fashioned trustworthy Yankee trader, and the story deals with how he fares in the industrial capitalist environment. It is also a novel of manners, telling the story of the courtship of a daughter, and the difficulties the family deals with in attempting to move from one social class to another. (Summary by Margaret Espaillat) (0 hr 35 min)

Chapitres

Chapter 1	42:52	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 2	30:32	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 3	19:32	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 4	27:19	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 5	21:17	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 6	24:18	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 7	18:04	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 8	30:22	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 9	36:56	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 10	23:08	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 11	36:49	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 12	34:08	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 13	31:17	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 14	43:59	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 15	9:28	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 16	18:27	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 17	19:35	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 18	19:05	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 19	29:59	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 20	25:40	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 21	17:52	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 22	10:17	Lu par BumbleVee
Chapter 23	31:12	Lu par Margaret Espaillat
Chapter 24	34:50	Lu par Margaret Espaillat
Chapter 25	41:19	Lu par Margaret Espaillat
Chapter 26	32:43	Lu par Margaret Espaillat
Chapter 27	44:38	Lu par Margaret Espaillat

Critiques

An American Story

(5 stars)

jenniebrown

Silas epitomizes the rags to riches story with some interesting moral dilemmas that can make or break oneself and/or the people involved. Silas wants to move his family "up" on the social ladder in Boston to show how successful he is in business but will it be his crowning glory? He is a tough, unpolished man who depends on his devoted wife's advice but can he take her advice on the moral issues of the day. As a Howell fan, I found this book one of his best and could not put it down. Fascinating story and with only two narrators who were excellent!