False Dawn Audiobook By Edith Wharton cover art

False Dawn

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False Dawn

By: Edith Wharton
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
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The first of four novellas, together called Old New York, set in the mid-1800s.

Lewis Raycie is sent on a Grand Tour of Europe with instructions from his father to acquire a collection of accepted Art Works. His father's dream is to own a Raphael; instead, Lewis returns with a priceless collection of Renaissance masterpieces by Piero della Francesca and others of equal stature. They are, however, unknown in America.

His father is appalled and disinherits him. His family ridicules him. But it is only after Lewis dies that the magnificent collection gets the recognition it really deserves.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Classics
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I will listen to anything Derek Jacobi reads but this was not great. This is not Wharton’s best work. But this was free to me so no complaints - couple of hours of entertainment.

Underwhelming

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An odd and excellent little story, read beautifully. (minor criticism is a few times Mr Jacobi’s American accent seemed a bit overdone). Very Edith Wharton, on a small scale.

Why titled “False Dawn”? The ending, IMHO, gives the key.

It’s helpful to know who John Ruskin was.

Well worth the listen

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Excellent story and excellent performance! Characters are so well developed. Derek Jackpots enormous talent is on full displayhere.

Excellent story and excellent performance!

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Derek Jacobi is a wonderful narrator. I first heard him in 1976, in I,Claudius

Great narrator

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