Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Art of Kissing
- Author: Will Rossiter
- Narrator: LibriVox Volunteers
- Length: 02:20:58
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 05/01/2017
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Health & Wellness, Intimacy & Sex
- ISBN13: SABLIB9787777
It reminds me of a time when I was wandering the cobblestone streets of Lisbon, the air thick with the scent of grilled sardines and the murmur of fado drifting from a nearby café. I’d slipped into a tiny bookshop to escape the midday heat, and there, among the dusty shelves, I found an old pamphlet on the art of love. It wasn’t Will Rossiter’s “The Art of Kissing”, but it carried that same timeless curiosity about human connection – a curiosity that this audiobook, narrated by the dedicated LibriVox Volunteers, reignites with every word.
“The Art of Kissing”, first published in 1902, is a delightful blend of history, science, and practical wisdom, wrapped in the charm of a bygone era. Rossiter doesn’t just tell you “how” to kiss – he takes you on a journey through “why” we kiss, tracing its roots across cultures and centuries. You can almost feel the parchment under your fingers as he describes ancient rituals of affection, or taste the nervous excitement of a Victorian suitor stealing a moment under the gaslight. The book unfolds like a map of intimacy, charting the psychological ripples and physiological sparks that make a kiss more than just a meeting of lips. It’s a guide for the novice and a reflection for the seasoned, delivered with a wink and a nod that feels both scholarly and conspiratorial.
For me, this audiobook experience stirs memories of Oaxaca, where I once stayed with a family whose grandmother spun tales each evening under a flickering lantern. Her voice had a cadence that pulled you in – pauses heavy with meaning, inflections that painted the air. I listen for that same magic in audiobooks now, and the LibriVox Volunteers deliver it in spades. This isn’t a single narrator but a chorus of voices, each bringing their own flavor to Rossiter’s words. One volunteer might linger on the historical anecdotes with a professor’s gravitas, while another infuses the practical tips with a playful lilt. The result is a tapestry of sound that feels like a gathering of storytellers around a fire – intimate, varied, and utterly human. The audio quality is crisp for a free audiobook, though the shifts between narrators can jar you momentarily, like stepping from one room to another in a lively house party.
Rossiter’s content is a treasure trove. He dives into the cultural significance of kissing – how it’s been a seal of loyalty, a spark of rebellion, a whisper of devotion. He backs it with research, anecdotes, and a touch of humor that keeps the listening experience light yet profound. The psychological insights fascinate – did you know a kiss can lower your pulse or flood your brain with euphoria? Then there’s the practical side: techniques to perfect your pucker, advice on timing and setting. It’s Health & Wellness meets Intimacy & Sex, a genre mashup that feels as relevant today as it did over a century ago. Yet, for all its depth, the book’s brevity – clocking in at just under ten minutes – leaves you wanting more, like a meal that ends before the dessert course.
The narration amplifies this duality. The LibriVox Volunteers, bless their generous hearts, bring enthusiasm that’s infectious. You can hear their passion for the project, their commitment to making this free audiobook accessible to all. But passion isn’t always polish. Some transitions feel abrupt, and the pacing varies – one narrator might rush through a passage that begs for a slower savoring. It’s a minor quibble, though, in an otherwise enchanting performance. Compared to modern intimacy guides narrated by polished professionals, this has a raw, communal charm – like a village elder passing down wisdom rather than a studio-recorded self-help guru.
What strikes me most is how Rossiter’s work connects us across time. It reminds me of driving through Chile’s Atacama Desert, listening to “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. The narrator’s voice wove Márquez’s magical realism into the surreal dunes outside my window, and I felt tethered to something bigger. “The Art of Kissing” does that too – it bridges the gap between 1902 and 2025, between a stranger’s lips and your own heartbeat. It’s not just a manual; it’s a celebration of what makes us human. That said, its historical lens can feel quaint – don’t expect modern discussions of consent or diversity here. It’s a product of its time, and that’s both its strength and its limit.
Who’s this for? Lovers, dreamers, history buffs – anyone who’s ever wondered about the alchemy of a kiss. If you’re new to audiobooks, this free download is a perfect dip into the medium – short, sweet, and rich with flavor. If you’re a seasoned listener, it’s a quirky detour from the usual fare, a chance to savor a slice of the past. Pair it with a glass of wine and a quiet evening, and let it spark your own stories.
Reflecting on it now, I think of those Oaxacan nights – the grandmother’s voice, the way her tales lingered in the air. “The Art of Kissing” captures that same intimacy, that same invitation to lean in and listen. It’s not perfect, but it’s alive, and that’s what matters. Download it, let it wash over you, and maybe share a kiss or two afterward. The world could use more of that.
Until our next adventure, with warmth and wanderlust, Marcus Rivera
