
A Select Party
In a realm where imagination builds actual structures, a fanciful host throws an exclusive soirée in a castle that floats among the clouds. The edifice, hewn from brooding mist and gilded by a sudden burst of sunset light, gleams like a golden bastion against the sky. Though the lower world may dismiss it as a mirage, those who cross its threshold discover a space that feels more concrete than earth itself.
Inside, the great saloon stretches beneath vaulted pillars of polished cloud, each supporting a glowing meteor softened by a veil of evening mist. The host greets an ancient, bearded guest—an esteemed figure from ages past—who questions the permanence of this airy masterpiece. Their exchange hints at deeper reflections on the fleeting nature of art and the purpose behind such lofty creations.
As the conversation unfolds, the guests find themselves drawn into a delicate balance between wonder and doubt, each marveling at the sublime surroundings while confronting the reality of their own transient lives. Listeners are invited to contemplate how far imagination can soar before it must touch the ground.
Language
en
Duration
~32 minutes (31K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
David Widger and Al Haines Updated: 2022-11-09.
Release date
Nov 1, 2005
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1804–1864
Dark, atmospheric, and deeply human, his fiction explores guilt, secrecy, desire, and the weight of the past. He remains best known for The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables, and unforgettable tales such as “Young Goodman Brown.”
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