The Quest of the Simple Life

audiobook

The Quest of the Simple Life

by W. J. (William James) Dawson

EN·~4 hours·15 chapters

Chapters

15 total

W. J. DAWSON

0:15

CHAPTER I - THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE - CHAPTER II - GETTING THE BEST OUT OF LIFE - CHAPTER III - GETTING A LIVING, AND LIVING - CHAPTER IV - EARTH-HUNGER - CHAPTER V - HEALTH AND ECONOMICS - CHAPTER VI - IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE - CHAPTER VII - I FIND MY COTTAGE - CHAPTER VIII - BUYING HAPPINESS - CHAPTER IX - HOW WE LIVED - CHAPTER X - NEIGHBOURSHIP - CHAPTER XI - THE WOUNDS OF A FRIEND - CHAPTER XII - AM I RIGHT? - CHAPTER XIII - THE CITY OF THE FUTURE - CHAPTER I - THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE

18:46

CHAPTER II - GETTING THE BEST OUT OF LIFE

21:55

CHAPTER III - GETTING A LIVING, AND LIVING

21:47

CHAPTER IV - EARTH-HUNGER

21:42

CHAPTER V - HEALTH AND ECONOMICS

9:16

TABLE I.

12:09

CHAPTER VI - IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE

19:14

CHAPTER VII - I FIND MY COTTAGE

20:45

CHAPTER VIII - BUYING HAPPINESS

22:23
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Description

The narrator opens with a vivid love‑letter to London, describing its towering spires, mist‑kissed Thames and the restless pulse that can feel both paradise and prison. He balances admiration for the city’s historic grandeur with a growing sense that the urban clamor can dull the senses, prompting an inner tug toward quieter, greener horizons. Through lyrical observations and personal anecdotes, he sets the stage for a deeper search for what a “simple life” might truly mean.

From this bustling backdrop the author embarks on a series of thoughtful inquiries—about work, health, economics, and the art of neighborly care—each chapter promising practical reflections and modest aspirations. The tone is gentle and contemplative, inviting listeners to join an exploration of how one might carve out calm and purpose without abandoning the world entirely. It feels like a quiet conversation with a seasoned friend, pointing toward a more balanced way of living.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~4 hours (269K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

Dec 6, 2005

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

W. J. (William James) Dawson

W. J. (William James) Dawson

1854–1928

An English clergyman and writer with a gift for speaking to everyday readers, he moved between ministry, poetry, essays, and literary criticism. His career stretched from Victorian religious life into the early 20th century, and his books often aimed to make faith, culture, and character feel vivid and practical.

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