
audiobook
In a hill‑top castle of unrivaled splendor lives a man whose wealth is matched only by the peculiarity of his blue beard. Though his fortunes could buy any comfort, whispers linger about the disappearance of his former wives, casting a shadow over his reputation. The striking contrast between his opulent surroundings and his unusual appearance makes him both a curiosity and a figure of unease in the nearby village.
Two accomplished sisters, guided by a mother who insists on courtesy over prejudice, find themselves drawn into his orbit. Though they scarcely like the man, they resolve to meet him politely, hoping to temper their fear with civility. Their mother’s lesson—that judgment based on outward quirks is a folly—pushes them toward an uneasy confrontation with the enigmatic aristocrat.
As the day of the visit arrives, the sisters pour their energies into elegant attire, turning the encounter into a silent contest of finery. Their anticipation mingles with the lingering rumors, creating a tension that promises more than mere social pleasantries. Listeners are invited to step into the castle’s gilded halls and discover what lies behind the blue‑bearded host’s imposing doors.
Language
en
Duration
~27 minutes (26K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Chris Whitehead and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2014-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.