
audiobook
G. D. OSWELL, M.A., Court of Wards, Bengal
THACKER, SPINK AND CO. 1893 \[All rights reserved.\]
PREFACE
PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS.
THE SPOILT CHILD.
CHAPTER I. MATILALL AT HOME.
CHAPTER II. MATILALL’S ENGLISH EDUCATION.
CHAPTER III. MATILALL AT SCHOOL.
CHAPTER IV. MATILALL IN THE POLICE COURT.
CHAPTER V. BABURAM IN CALCUTTA.
Step into a bustling Bengali household where tradition and modernity collide in a cascade of humor and gentle critique. The story follows a privileged youngster whose every whim reflects the loosened reins of an ill‑regulated home, while the family’s attempts to restore order reveal the strains of changing social values. Through vivid dialogue and keen observation, the narrator sketches the everyday rituals, the clatter of kitchen gossip, and the subtle power games that shape domestic life. The narrative voice is warm, yet never shy about exposing the folly of excess, especially when it comes to indulgent habits and idle luxury.
Against this lively backdrop, the novel offers a window into the aspirations of a society striving toward education and moral reform, particularly for women. Characters embody both the lingering comforts of old customs and the restless curiosity sparked by new ideas. The author's satirical eye turns household quarrels into broader commentary on temperance, responsibility, and the yearning for genuine progress. Listeners will find the tale both entertaining and thought‑provoking, a timeless portrait of a family learning to balance affection with discipline.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (410K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
India: Thacker, Spink and Co.,1893.
Credits
Anindya Sen (In memory of: Tapan Sen)
Release date
2022-10-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1814–1883
A pioneering figure of the Bengal Renaissance, he helped shape modern Bengali prose and is best remembered for writing one of the earliest Bengali novels. His work mixed social observation, reformist energy, and a lively, accessible style that reached new readers.
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