The Devil's Garden


Read by Tom Weiss

(4 stars; 14 reviews)

Risque for its time, but tame by today's standards, The Devil's Garden is a story of passion and mystery. William Dale, the main character of the story is Postmaster of Rodhaven. He is introduced as an honest peasant of uncompromising temper, whose rough nature is ever softened by his pretty wife Mavis. Mavis is an orphan raised by her Aunt Petherick. Known as Will, and referred to as Dale throughout the story, he gets into trouble at the post office but thanks to the intervention of the local magnet of Rodhaven, he is cleared and reinstated. At the height of his joy, his wife meets him in London. Together they dine at a good restaurant and attend a music hall performance. Dale's evening in London is transformed into a catastrophe when he learns a past secret about Mavis that threatens his marriage. Confronted with this secret, Will and Mavis struggle to make their marriage work and become successful. Ironically, Dale is eventually confronted by the same scenario.

The novel was a top ten Publisher's Weekly Best Seller in 1914. The book was banned in London. At times, the book seems slow and the listener may wonder what point the author is trying to make. Then suddenly, Maxwell sends you into a frenzy with something unexpected. (Tom Weiss) (12 hr 9 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1 31:25 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 2 25:33 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 3 20:30 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 4 26:12 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 5 22:11 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 6 14:17 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 7 33:02 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 8 33:37 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 9 26:20 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 10 18:28 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 11 16:28 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 12 13:51 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 13 36:21 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 14 16:40 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 15 14:34 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 16 15:20 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 17 15:07 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 18 14:07 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 19 21:45 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 20 5:24 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 21 9:51 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 22 8:45 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 23 22:25 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 24 14:44 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 25 5:36 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 26 18:33 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 27 22:02 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 28 28:37 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 29 31:47 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 30 33:21 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 31 34:18 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 32 27:48 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 33 13:09 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 34 21:59 Read by Tom Weiss
Chapter 35 15:19 Read by Tom Weiss

Reviews


(3 stars)

This story was rather unusual and quite drawn out in the middle. I stayed with it and I am still not sure about the ending.

worth a listen


(4 stars)

At first it reads like a tale of almost every day country folk but events are weaved into it which set one wondering about the ethics of the main character. The story is racked up at a good pace after the middle. The ending is unexpected. I think it makes a comment on theme of good and evil.