As a librarian, I often spout the importance of listening to literature, but I am not one who tends to listen to audiobooks. I have often spoken of the value for students of listening to reading in order to develop vocabulary, but I tend to prefer to read a book to having it read to me. Recently, while doing dishes, I played an audiobook of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short story "The New Catacomb." The story was gruesomely delightful. The two main characters are are rival archeologists. One of them, Kennedy, is a charming Brit who is a rogue with the ladies. The other, Burger, a German, is rough around the edges and socially awkward. Burger has made the discovery of a new catacomb. He promises to share its location with Kennedy as long as the Brit tells him the story of a recent romantic misadventure of his.
At first, Kennedy refuses, then, unable to resist the lure of this new discovery, he shares the story of seducing a young, engaged lady of their mutual acquaintance. He relates how they went away together for a two week interlude, at the end of which, she returned to her family, ruined. Kennedy is without any remorse. After hearing the story, Burger agrees to fulfill his side of the bargain, and leads Kennedy to the new catacomb. I won't spoil the story by sharing what transpires there, but I would like to share that the story was deliciously macabre. The listening experience was also delightful and one which I intend to continue in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment