
In a time before newspapers, theaters, or even regular gatherings, the hearth became the town’s stage. In the dim glow of an Oldtown kitchen, children press their knees to the fire while Aunt Lois bustles about, and the air hums with the crackle of burning wood and the distant howl of a winter wind. This intimate setting frames a world where storytelling is both survival and ceremony, a way to stitch the community together against the darkness.
At the center of the evenings sits Sam Lawson, a wiry figure whose quick wit and vivid imagination turn ordinary sparks into extraordinary adventures. He weaves tales of frontier hardships, daring escapes, and uncanny encounters with witches, wizards, and wild beasts, each story punctuated by the rhythmic hush of hearth‑crickets. The listeners—wide‑eyed and eager—are drawn into a dance of fear and wonder that feels as real as the heat on their faces.
These fireside narratives offer a vivid portrait of early New England life, blending history, folklore, and the timeless magic of a shared story. Listeners will find themselves transported to a bygone era, feeling the chill of the night and the warmth of the fire, all while the storyteller’s voice carries them through a tapestry of wonder and mystery.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (167K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2007-08-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1811–1896
Best known for writing Uncle Tom's Cabin, she turned a powerful moral protest against slavery into one of the 19th century's most widely read novels. Her work helped make fiction part of the national debate over slavery in the years before the American Civil War.
View all books