Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Wanted: A Husband
- Author: Samuel Hopkins Adams
- Narrator: Deborah Knight
- Length: 05:16:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2017
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Romance, Rom-Com
- ISBN13: SABLIB9786242
It’s not every day you stumble across a story that feels like a dusty road stretching out before you, full of unexpected turns and a promise of transformation. That’s exactly what I found when I slipped on my headphones and dove into the “Wanted: A Husband” audiobook by Samuel Hopkins Adams, narrated with delightful finesse by Deborah Knight. This early 20th-century romantic comedy unfolds like a well-worn map, guiding you through the misadventures of Darcy Cole – a young woman caught in a web of her own making, desperate to shed her dowdy feathers and become the swan she dreams of being. From the opening lines, I was hooked, drawn into a world that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, a true Ugly Duckling tale that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt invisible.
Let me take you back to a memory that flickered to life as I listened. A few years ago, I was winding through the Atacama Desert in Chile, the sun scorching the surreal landscape outside my window, when I first experienced “One Hundred Years of Solitude” as an audiobook. The narrator’s voice wove magic into the air, turning the barren expanse into a living story. Listening to “Wanted: A Husband”, I felt a similar pull. Deborah Knight’s narration has that same campfire intimacy – warm, engaging, and perfectly timed – like the grandmother I once stayed with in Oaxaca, who’d spin tales each evening with a rhythm that held us all captive. Knight captures Darcy’s spirit with a playful lilt, her voice shifting effortlessly from wry humor to tender vulnerability, making you feel every stumble and triumph along Darcy’s path.
The story itself is a gem, polished with Adams’ wit and keen eye for human folly. Darcy Cole, our unkempt heroine, is drowning in self-doubt and envy, surrounded by roommates flaunting their romantic conquests. To save face, she spins a whopper: she’s engaged to Sir Montrose Veyze, a titled man she’s never even met. It’s a lie that spirals into a mirthful mess, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sheer audacity of it. It reminds me of a time when I exaggerated a travel tale to impress a group of strangers in a Lisbon café – only to spend the night dodging questions I couldn’t answer. Darcy’s predicament hits that same nerve: the lengths we go to fit in, and the chaos that follows.
What makes this tale sing, though, is its heart. Beneath the comedy lies a sharp look at identity and societal expectations – themes that feel timeless, even a century later. Darcy’s resentment toward other women, her flirtation with despair, and her quest to remake herself under the guidance of actress Gloria Greene are all achingly real. You can almost feel the weight of her insecurities, the itch of her ill-fitting clothes, the sting of being overlooked. Then there’s Jack Remsen, the charming rogue who unwittingly becomes her ally. Their dance – part deception, part discovery – is the kind of slow-burn romance that leaves you rooting for them, even as you laugh at their blunders.
Knight’s narration elevates it all. She doesn’t just read; she performs, breathing life into each character with distinct tones and pacing that draw you deeper into the audiobook experience. Gloria’s confidence practically purrs through the speakers, while Jack’s easy charm carries a hint of mischief. The audio quality, courtesy of LibriVox’s free offering, is crisp and clear – no small feat for a volunteer-driven production. It’s a listening experience that feels personal, like a friend recounting a wild tale over a glass of wine. That said, there are moments where the pacing lags slightly, particularly in the quieter scenes, where a touch more energy might’ve kept the momentum. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise stellar performance.
The book’s strengths lie in its balance of humor and depth. Adams doesn’t shy away from Darcy’s darker emotions – her jealousy, her flirtation with suicide – which ground the comedy in something raw and relatable. Yet, the lightness never fades; it’s a rom-com that knows when to wink at itself. Compared to contemporaries like Edith Wharton, who dissected societal norms with a sharper edge, or Dorothy Parker, whose wit could cut glass, “Wanted: A Husband” feels gentler, more forgiving. It’s less about critique and more about the messy, hopeful journey of becoming. That it was adapted into a lost silent film in 1919 only adds to its charm – a testament to its broad appeal.
For all its brilliance, the story isn’t flawless. The resolution, while satisfying, leans a bit too neatly into convention, and some secondary characters – like Sir Montrose – feel more like plot devices than fully realized people. Still, these hiccups don’t dim the overall glow. This free audiobook is a treasure for anyone who loves romance with a twist of humor, or who’s ever longed to rewrite their own story. It’s perfect for a long drive, a quiet evening, or anytime you need a reminder that transformation is possible, even when you start as the underdog.
Reflecting on it now, “Wanted: A Husband” feels like a journey I’ve taken myself – those moments of reinvention we all chase, whether it’s a new look, a bold lie, or a leap into the unknown. Listening to it brought me back to those Oaxaca evenings, the grandmother’s voice weaving magic into the night. It’s a reminder of why I love audiobooks: they turn stories into companions, whispering truths you didn’t know you needed to hear.
Until our next adventure, dear friends, keep listening and wandering,
Marcus Rivera
