The Black Riders, and Other Lines

audiobook

The Black Riders, and Other Lines

by Stephen Crane

EN·~21 minutes

Chapters

Description

The collection opens with a storm of striking images—black riders crashing from the sea, three curious birds mocking a passerby, a desert wanderer who cradles his own heart. Each fragment reads like a miniature myth, a flash of imagination that blends the ancient with the absurd. The language moves between rhythmic chant and stark prose, inviting listeners to linger on every clang of spear and every whispered confession. As the pieces unfold, the work builds a tapestry of strange encounters that feel both timeless and oddly contemporary.

In listening, you’ll travel through a series of solitary visions: a god‑like ship adrift without a rudder, a mystic shadow demanding truth, a lone sage examining a newspaper, and a blade of grass pleading its forgotten deeds. The poems wrestle with power, faith, and the human urge to find order in chaos, all while keeping a playful, sometimes mischievous tone. The result is an auditory journey that rewards careful attention, offering moments of wonder, humor, and quiet contemplation.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~21 minutes (20K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

2012-09-17

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane

1871–1900

Best known for The Red Badge of Courage, this American writer packed a remarkable amount into a life that lasted just 28 years. His fiction, poetry, and war reporting helped push American literature toward a sharper, more modern style.

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