Little Rivers: A Book of Essays in Profitable Idleness

audiobook

Little Rivers: A Book of Essays in Profitable Idleness

by Henry Van Dyke

EN·~5 hours·14 chapters

Chapters

14 total

LITTLE RIVERS A BOOK OF ESSAYS IN PROFITABLE IDLENESS

0:52

ILLUSTRATIONS From drawings by F. V. DuMond

0:31

PRELUDE

1:48

LITTLE RIVERS

31:37

A LEAF OF SPEARMINT

30:17

AMPERSAND

26:19

A HANDFUL OF HEATHER

43:30

THE RISTIGOUCHE FROM AHORSE-YACHT

31:29

ALPENROSEN AND GOAT’S MILK

49:42

AU LARGE

51:18
Show text

Description

A gentle stroll through the mind of a late‑19th‑century essayist, this collection invites listeners to linger in the quiet corners of everyday life. From the simple joy of casting a line on a sun‑lit stream to the comforting hum of a babbling brook, each piece celebrates the small, often overlooked moments that make idleness a kind of wealth.

The writer weaves vivid observations of spring blossoms, songbirds, and the soft rush of water into reflections on friendship, memory, and the solace found in nature’s rhythms. Illustrated with delicate drawings, the essays balance humor and reverence, offering a conversational tone that feels like a chat with a trusted companion.

Listeners will find a soothing invitation to pause, breathe, and let the cadence of the river guide their thoughts, making this a perfect companion for quiet afternoons or reflective evenings. Its timeless charm reminds us that even in a bustling world, the simple pleasure of watching water flow can be profoundly restorative.

Collections

Browse all

Details

Language

en

Duration

~5 hours (333K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by David Edwards, readbueno and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Release date

Jun 10, 2015

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Henry Van Dyke

Henry Van Dyke

1852–1933

Remembered for graceful, reflective writing, this American author moved easily between the pulpit, the classroom, and public life. His stories, poems, and essays brought warmth and moral clarity to a wide readership in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

View all books

You may also like