Wylder's Hand


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.2 stars; 31 reviews)

In Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Wylder's Hand, the impending marriage of Mark Wylder and Dorkas Brenden is meant to resolve long-standing feuds between their families. Yet, both Mark and Dorkas harbor doubts about the union, setting the stage for a dramatic turn of events.

As the wedding approaches, Mark mysteriously vanishes, leaving a trail of confusion and concern among those closest to him. The story unfolds in a richly atmospheric setting, blending elements of mystery and adventure as the characters grapple with the implications of his disappearance.

Le Fanu weaves a tale that explores themes of familial obligation, personal desire, and the shadows of the past. With its intricate plot and engaging character dynamics, Wylder's Hand offers a compelling glimpse into the complexities of human relationships and the unforeseen consequences of choices made.

Chapters

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01 - Relating How I Rode Through The Village Of Gylingden With Mark Wylder's Letter In My Valise 13:24 Read by Tina Nuzzi
02 - In Which I Enter The Drawing-Room 8:15 Read by Tina Nuzzi
03 - Our Dinner-Party At Brandon 13:49 Read by Tina Nuzzi
04 - In Which We Go To The Drawing-Room And The Party Breaks Up 6:22 Read by Jessamy Gloor
05 - In Which My Slumber Is Disturbed 7:08 Read by Christine Blachford
06 - In Which Dorcas Brandon Speaks 11:30 Read by Christine Blachford
07 - Relating How A London Gentleman Appeared In Redman's Dell 18:46 Read by Cate Barratt
08 - In Which Captain Lake Takes His Hat And Stick 8:23 Read by Amy Gramour
09 - I See The Ring Of The Persian Magician 12:05 Read by Cate Barratt
10 - The Ace Of Hearts 12:47 Read by Rachael Lapidis
11 - In Which Lake Under The Trees Of Brandon, And I In My Chamber, Smoke Our Nocturnal Cigars 12:52 Read by Rachael Lapidis
12 - In Which Uncle Lorne Troubles Me 7:44 Read by Rosie
13 - The Pony Carriage 12:53 Read by Crln Yldz Ksr
14 - In Which Various Persons Give Their Opinions Of Captain Stanley Lake 9:44 Read by Crln Yldz Ksr
15 - Dorcas Shows Her Jewels To Miss Lake 13:46 Read by Cate Barratt
16 - Jenny Put The Kettle On 15:53 Read by Cate Barratt
17 - Rachel Lake Sees Wonderful Things By Moonlight From Her Window 12:49 Read by Cate Barratt
18 - Mark Wylder's Slave 11:54 Read by oneiros81
19 - The Tarn In The Park 13:23 Read by Cate Barratt
20 - Captain Lake Takes An Evening Stroll About Gylingden 17:03 Read by Lmwong
21 - In Which Captain Lake Visits His Sister's Sick Bed 15:58 Read by Lmwong
22 - In Which Captain Lake Meets A Friend Near The White House 10:55 Read by Lmwong
23 - How Rachel Slept That Night In Redman's Farm 8:10 Read by Amy Gramour
24 - Dorcas Brandon Pays Rachel A Visit 11:19 Read by Rachael Lapidis
25 - Captain Lake Looks In At Nightfall 16:19 Read by Cate Barratt
26 - Captain Lake Follows To London 12:45 Read by Cate Barratt
27 - Lawyer Larkin's Mind Begins To Work 8:58 Read by Cate Barratt
28 - Mark Wylder's Submission 12:39 Read by Cate Barratt
29 - How Mark Wylder's Disappearance Affected His Friends 14:03 Read by Cate Barratt
30 - In Brandon Park 13:06 Read by Cate Barratt
31 - In Redman's Dell 13:42 Read by Tina Nuzzi
32 - Mr. Larkin And The Vicar 15:04 Read by Cate Barratt
33 - The Ladies Of Gylingden Heath 15:00 Read by Cate Barratt
34 - Sir Julius Hockley's Letter 11:00 Read by Cate Barratt
35 - The Hunt Ball 11:11 Read by Cate Barratt
36 - The Ball Room 17:53 Read by Dianne Lanning
37 - The Supper-Room 10:48 Read by Dianne Lanning
38 - After The Ball 19:25 Read by Dianne Lanning
39 - In Which Miss Rachel Lake Comes To Brandon, And Doctor Buddle Calls Again 17:38 Read by Cate Barratt
40 - The Attorney's Adventures On The Way Home 11:09 Read by Cate Barratt
41 - In Which Sir Francis Seddley Manipulates 9:52 Read by Cate Barratt
42 - A Paragraph In The County Paper 12:43 Read by Cate Barratt
43 - An Evil Eye Looks On The Vicar 13:38 Read by Cate Barratt
44 - In Which Old Tamar Lifts Up Her Voice In Prophecy 10:25 Read by Cate Barratt
45 - Deep And Shallow 12:47 Read by Cate Barratt
46 - Debate And Interruption 14:48 Read by Dianne Lanning
47 - A Threatening Notice 20:21 Read by Dianne Lanning
48 - In Which I Go To Brandon, And See An Old Acquaintance In The Tapestry Room 23:59 Read by Dianne Lanning
49 - Larcom, The Butler, Visits The Attorney 11:26 Read by Tina Nuzzi
50 - New Lights 14:25 Read by Tina Nuzzi
51 - A Fracas In The Library 14:05 Read by Cate Barratt
52 - An Old Friend Looks Into The Garden At Redman's Farm 16:32 Read by Cate Barratt
53 - The Vicar's Complications, Which Lively People Had Better Not Read 10:29 Read by Cate Barratt
54 - Brandon Chapel On Sunday 15:18 Read by Cate Barratt
55 - The Captain And The Attorney Converse Among The Tombs 15:28 Read by Cate Barratt
56 - The Brandon Conservatory 14:59 Read by Cate Barratt
57 - Concerning A New Danger Which Threatened Captain Stanley Lake 15:35 Read by Cate Barratt
58 - Miss Rachel Lake Becomes Violent 22:18 Read by Debra Lynn
59 - An Enemy In Redman's Dell 17:52 Read by Cate Barratt
60 - Rachel Lake Before The Accuser 16:29 Read by Cate Barratt
61 - In Which Dame Dutton Is Visited 14:34 Read by Cate Barratt
62 - The Captain Explains Why Mark Wylder Absconded 13:21 Read by Cate Barratt
63 - The Ace Of Hearts 11:51 Read by Cate Barratt
64 - In The Dutch Room 13:28 Read by Cate Barratt
65 - I Revisit Brandon Hall 13:33 Read by Debra Lynn
66 - Lady Macbeth 20:23 Read by Crln Yldz Ksr
67 - Mr. Larkin Is Vis-A-Vis With A Concealed Companion 14:00 Read by Crln Yldz Ksr
68 - The Companion Discloses Himself 14:13 Read by Crln Yldz Ksr
69 - Of A Spectre Whom Old Tamar Saw 17:03 Read by Debra Lynn
70 - The Meeting In The Long Pond Alley 14:04 Read by Cate Barratt
71 - Sir Harry Bracton's Invasion Of Gylingden 13:32 Read by Debra Lynn
72 - Mark Wylder's Hand 16:54 Read by Cate Barratt
73 - The Mask Falls 19:56 Read by Cate Barratt
74 - We Take Leave Of Our Friends 12:52 Read by Rosie

Reviews

unsolicited advice


(3 stars)

Chapte 20, 21, 22...read these chapters or get ready for incomprehensible narration. I can’t fathom why readers take the important task of bringing books from our past to serious listeners without preparation. Prior to taping chapters should read for fluency and pronunciation checked. Your performance is permanent and distributed to many sites who offer audiobooks. Sloppy narrations are jarring and maddening to listeners who are deeply involved in the unfolding tale. It drives some away and the book is dismissed. Finally. you leave yourself open to hurtful negative criticism by disappointed Librivox members. A pleasant voice is only job one. Thank you for volunteering and we hope you come back after taking my advice.

Mystery


(4 stars)

It kept me guessing what was going on until things finally came clear. That's good, but it's also a complaint: some of the comments and actions of the characters make no sense at all until it's revealed, so that one feels one must go back and listen to the whole thing again to put it all in perspective. Readers range from barely passable to excellent, but most are on the better side.

Good plot and characters


(5 stars)

only let down by the odd reader who sounded totally bored!

A very good story.


(4 stars)

A very good story in a very long book with some disgusting characters.