In this video, I present Wakefield by Nathaniel Hawthorne - an audiobook narration.
Hawthorne had bit of a thing for 'what if' tales. This is one of those tales.
Whilst we might ponder the sliding door effect, where our 'what if' is more about making some kind of life altering decision that could set us on a different path, ultimately resulting in a better or at least fundamentally different life; Hawthorne uses the concept of the 'what if' as a thought experiment.
What if, a man told his wife he was going away for a few days but then stayed gone for 20 years. Further, what if he had only moved 1 street away.
Perhaps my favourite part of this story is that Hawthorne makes no effort to write a story but rather present a formal article explaining his thought experiment, and asking us to come along as he rambles through his analysis.
This may not be his greatest work but it is exactly why I fell in love with Hawthorne's writing. His storytelling is sublime.
Join me in deciphering the madness (or terrifying precision) of Wakefield by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my channel for more classic stories and poems. Stay tuned for more enthralling tales that will ignite your imagination. Happy listening!
#audiobook #nathanielhawthorne #reading