Chapters

Description

A witty, episodic tale opens with a long‑time resident of Tunbridge Wells whose doctor suggests a change of scenery. When her faithful servant Trottle returns with news of a perfectly comfortable London lodging—only to point out an unsightly “House to Let” opposite it—she finds herself drawn into a peculiar mystery of a property that stubbornly refuses to be occupied. The narrator’s sharp humor and whimsical dialogue set a lively tone as she decides to lease the pleasant rooms despite the baffling house next door.

Through playful banter and a cast of amusing characters—a boisterous doctor, a dignified solicitor, and the ever‑opinionated Trottle—the story explores the quirks of Victorian society, the anxieties of moving later in life, and the oddities that can accompany a seemingly simple relocation. Listeners will enjoy the gentle satire and the curiosity sparked by a house that “won’t let,” all while the protagonist prepares for her new London adventure.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~3 hours (183K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

2000-09-01

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the authors

Wilkie Collins

Wilkie Collins

1824–1889

A master of suspense before detective fiction had fully found its name, this Victorian novelist gave readers twisting plots, hidden identities, and some of the era’s most unforgettable villains. Best known for The Woman in White and The Moonstone, he helped shape the mystery novel as we know it.

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Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens

1812–1870

One of the defining voices of Victorian fiction, he turned childhood hardship, sharp observation, and a gift for unforgettable characters into stories that are still loved around the world. His novels mix humor, compassion, suspense, and a fierce awareness of poverty and injustice.

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Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

1810–1865

A sharp-eyed Victorian storyteller, she wrote novels that bring industrial England and small-town life vividly to life. Her books balance social criticism with warmth, humor, and a deep sympathy for ordinary people.

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Adelaide Anne Procter

Adelaide Anne Procter

1825–1864

A hugely popular Victorian poet in her lifetime, she wrote with warmth and conviction about poverty, homelessness, faith, and the lives of working women. Her verses reached a wide audience through Charles Dickens’s journals and were admired by readers across Britain.

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