1870's rural Massachusetts communities became famous as “Oldtown” in Harriet Beecher Stowe's 7th novel and national bestseller. Based partially on her husband Rev. Calvin Stowe's childhood memories and other old timers' recollections, this story of growing up in rural New England just after the American Revolution is one of the earliest examples of local color writing in New England. Young Horace Holyoke, the novel's narrator, describes life during the early Federalist years, capturing its many rich ideas, customs, and family lore. Villagers wrestle with loyalties to the fledgling government, and with the new secular rationalism provoked by the young nation’s Founders. Clashes between Puritanism, Calvinism, and Arminianism abound. This book helped with the depreciation of Calvinism in that time. Summary by Michele Fry
Chapters
1
Preface Read by Michele Fry 3:49
2
Ch.2 My Father Read by Denise Nordell 12:40
3
Ch.3 My Grandmother Read by Denise Nordell 17:46
4
Ch.4 The Village Do-Nothing Read by Michele Fry 25:22
5
Ch.5 The Old Meeting-House Read by Michele Fry 52:49
6
Ch.6 Fire-Light Talk In My Grandmother's Kitchen Read by Michele Fry 54:21
7
Ch.7 Old Crab Smith Read by Michele Fry 27:28
8
Ch.8 Miss Asphyxia Read by Michele Fry 26:48
9
Ch.9 Harry's First Day's Work Read by Denise Nordell 10:36
10
Ch.10 Miss Asphyxia's System Read by Denise Nordell 24:22
11
Ch.11 The Crisis Read by Colman Shew 15:45
12
Ch.12 The Lion's Mouth Shut Read by Michele Fry 15:16
13
Ch.13 The Empty Bird's-Nest Read by Crystal Rogers 9:00
14
Ch.14 The Day In Fairy-Land Read by Michele Fry 28:22
15
Ch.15 The Old Manor-House Read by Michele Fry 21:56
16
Ch.16 Sam Lawson's Discoveries Read by Michele Fry 21:58
17
Ch.17 The Visit To The Haunted House Read by Michele Fry 43:29
18
Ch.18 Tina's Adoption Read by Michele Fry 31:14
19
Ch.19 Miss Mehitable's Letter, and the Reply, Giving Further Hints of the Story Read by Michele Fry 52:30
20
Ch.20 Miss Asphyxia Goes In Pursuit, and my Grandmother Gives Her Views on Education Read by Michele Fry 32:00
21
Ch.21 What is to be Done with the Boy? Read by Michele Fry 27:34
22
Ch.22 Daily Living In Old Town Read by Colman Shew 34:36
23
Ch.23 We Take a Step Up In The World Read by Michele Fry 35:07
24
Ch.24 We Behold Grandeur Read by Michele Fry 32:43
25
Ch.25 Easter Sunday Read by Michele Fry 45:31
26
Ch.26 What "Our Folks" Said At Oldtown Read by Michele Fry 25:00
27
Ch.27 How We Kept Thanksgiving At Oldtown Read by Denise Nordell 35:01
28
Ch.28 The Raid On Oldtown, And Uncle Fliakim's Bravery Read by Michele Fry 29:58
29
Ch.29 My Grandmother's Blue Book Read by Michele Fry 55:00
30
Ch.30 We Begin To Be Grown-Up People Read by Michele Fry 30:59
31
Ch.31 What Shall We Do With Tina? Read by Michele Fry 18:55
32
Ch.32 The Journey To Cloudland Read by Gnomesb 15:39
33
Ch.33 School-Life in Cloudland Read by Michele Fry 47:32
34
Ch.34 Our Minister in Cloudland Read by Michele Fry 36:11
35
Ch.35 The Revival Of Religion Read by Colman Shew 27:58
36
Ch.36 After The Revival Read by Michele Fry 24:28
37
Ch.37 The Minister's Wood-Spell Read by Michele Fry 20:58
38
Ch.38 Ellery Davenport Read by Gnomesb 26:32
39
Ch.39 Last Days In Cloudland Read by Michele Fry 21:28
40
Ch.40 We Enter College Read by Michele Fry 23:50
41
Ch.41 Night Talks Read by Crystal Rogers 11:46
42
Ch.42 Spring Vacation At Oldtown Read by Gnomesb 25:59
43
Ch.43 What Our Folks Thought About It Read by Michele Fry 28:01
44
Ch.44 Marriage Preparations Read by Kathrine Engan 22:27
45
Ch.45 Wedding Bells Read by Michele Fry 25:28
46
Ch.46 Wedding After-Talks At Oldtown Read by Michele Fry 13:00
47
Ch.47 Behind The Curtain Read by Kathrine Engan 17:40
48
Ch.48 Tina's Solution Read by Michele Fry 16:51
49
Ch.49 What Came Of It Read by Michele Fry 23:19
50
Ch.50 The Last Chapter Read by Michele Fry 16:51
From LibriVox, read by volunteers and in the public domain. LibriVox page (opens librivox.org) , the text (opens digital.library.upenn.edu) , all files on the Internet Archive (opens archive.org) .
