Original Penny Readings: A Series of Short Sketches

audiobook

Original Penny Readings: A Series of Short Sketches

by George Manville Fenn

EN·~7 hours·32 chapters

Chapters

32 total
1

Chapter One. - Paying the Footing.

15:41
2

Chapter Two. - Aboard a Light-Ship.

17:50
3

Chapter Three. - K9—A Queer Dog.

19:28
4

Chapter Four. - Waiting for ’Arry.

13:52
5

Chapter Five. - A Rogue in Grain.

14:17
6

Chapter Six. - A Cabman’s Story.

16:05
7

Chapter Seven. - J. Weltus.

12:43
8

Chapter Eight. - My Fare.

11:30
9

Chapter Nine. - Spots on Life’s Sun.

18:46
10

Chapter Ten. - Dining with Cabby.

15:21

Description

A lively, conversational voice opens the collection, using the humble kitchen pot as a metaphor for the ordinary worker. The narrator muses on how each piece of crockery—whether plain earthenware or polished china—complains about its place, while overlooking its own strengths. Through warm humor and homespun wisdom, the sketch invites listeners to value hard work, to recognize the worth of everyday tasks, and to temper envy with gratitude.

The pieces that follow continue this blend of witty observation and gentle moral prompting, offering snapshots of rural life, bustling towns, and the quirks of human nature. Each vignette feels like a chat over a kitchen table, full of colorful characters, practical sayings, and reflections that resonate far beyond the immediate setting. Listeners will find the sketches both entertaining and thought‑provoking, a reminder that the simple, sturdy “yellow basin” may hold more virtue than the prettiest ornamental vase.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~7 hours (448K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

Release date

2010-12-15

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

George Manville Fenn

George Manville Fenn

1831–1909

A hugely prolific Victorian writer, he turned schoolroom experience, journalism, and a love of adventure into stories that kept generations of young readers turning pages. His books range from school tales to sea stories and historical adventures, with a lively, accessible style that still feels energetic today.

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