The Blue Castle (Version 2)
Lucy Maud Montgomery
Read by Bryn Roberts
"The Blue Castle" by L. M. Montgomery tells the story of Valancy Stirling, a repressed and timid woman living under the control of her overbearing family in the small town of Deerwood. With her health being a constant concern and her life devoid of joy, Valancy finds solace in her dreams and imaginations. However, everything changes when she receives a shocking medical diagnosis, which prompts her to break free from her constrained existence.
Determined to live life on her own terms, Valancy decides to seize the opportunity to experience the world beyond the confines of Deerwood. She accepts an invitation from Barney Snaith, a mysterious and unconventional man, to join him in the remote Blue Castle. In this picturesque setting, Valancy discovers love, freedom, and the courage to be herself.
As Valancy explores her newfound independence, she learns to confront societal expectations and embrace her true desires. With Barney by her side, she finds companionship and a sense of belonging that she had never known before. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, defying convention and embracing the beauty of life's possibilities.
"The Blue Castle" is a heartwarming tale of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of adversity. Through Valancy's journey, Montgomery celebrates the power of love, imagination, and the human spirit to overcome life's challenges and find fulfillment. - Summary by Bryn Roberts
Note: the song in chapter 38 was taken from a PD source and recorded by the reader. (7 hr 53 min)
Chapters
| Ch 1 | 23:22 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 2 & 3 | 19:41 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 4 & 5 | 15:09 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 6 & 7 | 24:54 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 8 | 21:36 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 9 & 10 | 22:51 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 11 | 26:56 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 12-14 | 22:52 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 15-17 | 20:30 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 18 & 19 | 25:38 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 20 | 18:47 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 21 & 22 | 19:00 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 23-25 | 24:04 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 26 | 10:58 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 27 | 23:35 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 28-30 | 25:15 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 31 & 32 | 24:55 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 33-35 | 20:54 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 36 & 37 | 10:41 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 38 | 20:46 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 39 & 40 | 19:48 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 41 & 42 | 23:44 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
| Ch 43-45 | 7:05 | Read by Bryn Roberts |
Reviews
Balm for the soul
Aveline Venter
This is a wonderful book, I thoroughly enjoyed it! The characters are relatable and human, the humour is all well placed and the plot is beautiful and comforting. Bryan Roberts’s delivery was brilliant! I could not have asked for a better reader! Everything was pronounced correctly, all the characters were differentiated and the tone was always suitable for the passage. Thank you for your hard work.
The Blue Castle (Version 2)
Rebekah Waldrep
Bryn Roberts was a fantastic reader for this book. He made some of the descriptions come vividly to life. His reading brought another layer to a fantastic story. I may not have enjoyed this book very much if I had read it but Bryn Roberts' creativity in how he presented revealed a different perspective.
Beautiful story!
Lily
Brilliantly read, with a real heart for the story and characters. Second time I've listened to this LMM novel, and it's full of wisdom and beauty. Will listen to more by this reader. He did an amazing job. Thank you.
Best Book Ever
horsegirl
I absolutely LOVE this book. I have reread it until my physical copy is in shreds. The reader also did an amazing job and I love his different voices for each of the characters.
Twenty Stars or More
Mrs. VLB
Excruciatingly beautiful book. Loved it when I read it and was thrilled to accidentally run across it here. I will go to the blue castle often in my dreams and in my memories.
GildedDrifter
Really lovely. If you enjoyed this one ready What Diantha Did by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Arnim for the same energy 🌸
Holly Rushik
this was a wonderful story. it had twists and turns love and anguish. the reader was excellent.
A LibriVox Listener
I enjoyed Bryn Roberts' reading very much and the story was pretty good too.