
audiobook
ÉMILE VERHAEREN - Les - Villes tentaculaires - PRÉCÉDÉES DES - Campagnes hallucinées - DIX-HUITIÈME ÉDITION
PARIS - MERCVRE DE FRANCE - XXVI, RVE DE CONDÉ, XXVI - MCMXX
A. VICTOR DESMETH - EN SOUVENIR
AU POÈTE - HENRI DE RÉGNIER
The opening plunges listeners into a sprawling metropolis that feels alive like a massive, smoky octopus. Streets coil around towering factories, iron bridges and glowing lanterns, while the clatter of trains and the hiss of naphtha create a relentless, almost musical hum. Through vivid, lyrical description the city becomes a character itself—simultaneously dazzling, oppressive, and strangely seductive.
In contrast, the narrative then drifts toward the open plains, where weary travelers and creaking carts move under a low, clouded sky. This shift invites reflection on the tension between relentless urban growth and the quiet endurance of rural life. As the story unfolds, listeners follow a handful of observers navigating both worlds, grappling with the allure of progress and the longing for simplicity.
Language
fr
Duration
~1 hours (110K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2014-05-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1855–1916
A major voice in Belgian poetry, he brought Symbolism to life with vivid, free-verse poems about modern cities, rural landscapes, and the social tensions of his time. His writing carries both musical energy and a strong sense of human feeling.
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