A Book of Marionettes

audiobook

A Book of Marionettes

by Helen Haiman Joseph

EN·~6 hours·18 chapters

Chapters

18 total

Transcriber’s Note

0:23

A Book of Marionettes

0:14

Note

1:55

Illustrations

1:32

How I Came to Write a Book on Puppets

6:30

Puppets of Antiquity

14:37

Oriental Puppets

40:27

Puppets of Italy and Southern Europe

47:16

The Puppets in France

49:08

Puppet Shows of Germany and of Other Continental Countries

45:06

Description

Step into a richly illustrated tour of the world’s puppet traditions, where each chapter reads like a quiet conversation with the past. The author weaves together scholarly research, personal recollections, and heartfelt acknowledgments, creating a modest yet ambitious portrait of marionettes that have fluttered across continents for centuries. From ancient Egyptian shadow figures to the bustling stages of early‑twentieth‑century Europe, the narrative celebrates the simple nobility of these wooden, string‑held performers.

Interlaced with detailed drawings and practical diagrams, the book also offers a glimpse into the author’s own workshop, where late‑night stitching and whispered guidance from a bearded “Chief Prophet” bring the tiny cast to life. Listeners will hear stories of dryads, fauns, and exotic figures from Asia and the Middle East, all presented with clear, engaging prose that invites curiosity without demanding prior knowledge. It’s an ideal companion for anyone who loves history, art, or the gentle magic of puppetry.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~6 hours (346K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

deaurider, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Release date

2021-09-27

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

HH

Helen Haiman Joseph

1888–1978

Best known as a pioneering American puppeteer, this early 20th-century writer helped bring marionette theater to a wide audience through books, plays, and performances. Her work blended practical stagecraft with a deep love of folklore, drama, and children's storytelling.

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