Captain Fracasse
Théophile Gautier
Read by Peter Tucker
The story, set in the 17th Century during the reign of Louis XIII in France, concerns the progress of an impoverished nobleman as he ventures forth into a series of dangerous adventures which culminate in the restoration of his true noble social position. In today's parlance the story might be described as an action romance. The protagonist happens to become involved a group of travelling actors whom he accompanies in his search for himself. There are a number of similarities with Goethe's "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship". Among the troupe of actors is a young woman with whom he falls deeply in love, which sustains him in his quest for social restoration. The novel idealises hereditary nobility. There is a happy ending for all, in which aristocratic society is vindicated. (Summary by Peter Tucker) (13 hr 58 min)
Chapters
| Castle Misery | 28:27 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| The Chariot of Thespis | 50:43 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| The Blue Sun Inn | 13:28 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| An Adventure with Brigands | 23:51 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| At the Chateau de Bruyeres Part 1 | 36:34 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| At the Chateau de Bruyeres Part 2 | 44:48 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| A Snowstorm and its Consequences | 43:41 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| Captain Fracasse | 49:06 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| The Duke of Vallombreuse | 58:34 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| A Melee and a Duel | 1:09:21 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| A Midnight Adventure | 56:57 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| The Pont Neuf | 44:06 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| The Crowned Radish | 11:43 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| A Double Attack | 25:56 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| Lampourde's Delicacy | 20:22 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| Malartic at Work | 40:21 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| Vallombreuse | 44:06 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| The Amethyst Ring | 42:00 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| A Family Party | 40:08 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| Nettles and Cobwebs | 29:00 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| Chiquita's Declaration of Love | 15:01 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| "Hymen! O Hymen!" | 24:01 | Read by Peter Tucker |
| The Castle of Happiness | 26:40 | Read by Peter Tucker |