
audiobook
A weary traveler named Valmond rolls into the modest town of Pontiac, his presence stirring whispers that he might be the long‑lost echo of Napoleon himself. The novel blends the gritty reality of late‑19th‑century American life with the flamboyant legend of the French emperor, letting the reader feel the clash of frontier pragmatism and imperial grandeur. As Valmond mingles with locals—offering coins to children, befriending a humble sergeant—his uncanny charisma begins to reshape the community’s fortunes, hinting at a larger, mysterious purpose.
The narrative unfolds with a brisk, almost feverish pace, reflecting the author’s own intense writing marathon. Richly detailed scenes capture the bustle of small‑town America while weaving in the mythic flash of Napoleonic drama. Listeners are drawn into a world where history and imagination collide, leaving them eager to discover how far Valmond’s extraordinary influence will reach.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (279K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2004-11-16
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1862–1932
A Canadian-born novelist who found fame in London, he wrote historical romances packed with drama, politics, and vivid settings. His books, including The Seats of the Mighty and The Weavers, made him a widely read popular author of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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