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Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin

Dive into the shimmering world of "Dream of the Red Chamber," a literary masterpiece that transcends time and culture. Set against the backdrop of…

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Runtime: 48 hr 40 min · Watch the full audiobook on YouTube · Subscribe to Ion Books

Dive into the shimmering world of "Dream of the Red Chamber," a literary masterpiece that transcends time and culture. Set against the backdrop of 18th-century China, this novel invites you to explore the intricate tapestry of the Jia family, a clan whose opulence and splendor mirror the grandeur of the Qing dynasty itself. At the heart of the narrative lies Jia Baoyu, a sensitive and intelligent young man whose life intertwines with that of Lin Daiyu, a poetic and melancholic soul, and Xue Baochai, an intelligent and elegant woman whose grace and wisdom define the ideal feminine virtues of the time. Together, they navigate the complex social landscape of the Jia household, a labyrinthine mansion where secrets, rivalries, and the delicate balance of power unfold in a symphony of human emotions and destinies. The story is not merely a tale of love and loss but a profound exploration of the human condition. Through its richly drawn characters and vivid descriptions, "Dream of the Red Chamber" captures the essence of the Chinese aristocracy, its traditions, and the intricate dynamics that govern family life. The novel's atmosphere is one of opulence and refinement, yet it is also tinged with a deep sense of melancholy and the inevitability of decline. What sets "Dream of the Red Chamber" apart is its psychological depth and the nuanced portrayal of female characters.

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Public domain & narration

This English edition is the translation by Henry Bencraft Joly.

The narration is the LibriVox recording read by 16 volunteer readers, including DavidReader, Elizabeth Buchanan and Yuqing. LibriVox volunteers dedicate their recordings to the public domain.

Ion Books adds the synchronized scrolling text and video, so you can read along while you listen, for free.

Full Playlist

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YouTube Short

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Chapters

Preface and Chapter I, Part 1 (17:39) · watch
Chapter I, Part 2 (28:17)
Chapter I, Part 3 (18:26)
Chapter II, Part 1 (28:41)
Chapter II, Part 2 (21:15)
Chapter III, Part 1 (27:35)
Chapter III, Part 2 (23:52)
Chapter III, Part 3 (26:16)
Chapter IV, Part 1 (27:25)
Chapter IV, Part 2 (25:11)
Chapter V, Part 1 (23:50)
Chapter V, Part 2 (29:22) · watch
Chapter V, Part 3 (21:50)
Chapter VI, Part 1 (20:55)
Chapter VI, Part 2 (27:33)
Chapter VII, Part 1 (29:39)
Chapter VII, Part 2 (26:52)
Chapter VIII, Part 1 (30:23)
Chapter VIII, Part 2 (31:56)
Chapter IX, Part 1 (28:08)
Chapter IX, Part 2 (33:23)
Chapter X, Part 1 (30:39)
Chapter X, Part 2 (30:30)
Chapter XI, Part 1 (33:56)
Chapter XI, Part 2 (22:49)
Chapter XII, Part 1 (30:43)
Chapter XII, Part 2 (24:27)
Chapter XIII, Part 1 (23:55)
Chapter XIII, Part 2 (22:17)
Chapter XIV, Part 1 (22:55)
Chapter XIV, Part 2 (22:05)
Chapter XV, Part 1 (18:03)
Chapter XV, Part 2 (23:40)
Chapter XVI, Part 1 (15:16)
Chapter XVI, Part 2 (17:12)
Chapter XVI, Part 3 (22:17)
Chapter XVII, Part 1 (20:21)
Chapter XVII, Part 2 (16:49)
Chapter XVII, Part 3 (14:08)
Chapter XVII, Part 4 (17:48)
Chapter XVIII, Part 1 (16:34)
Chapter XVIII, Part 2 (25:22)
Chapter XVIII, Part 3 (15:11)
Chapter XIX, Part 1 (20:10)
Chapter XIX, Part 2 (21:35)
Chapter XIX, Part 3 (21:00)
Chapter XX, Part 1 (20:08)
Chapter XX, Part 2 (16:51)
Chapter XXI, Part 1 (19:59)
Chapter XXI, Part 2 (16:57)
Chapter XXII, Part 1 (19:28)
Chapter XXII, Part 2 (18:07)
Chapter XXII, Part 3 (17:42)
Chapter XXIII, Part 1 (17:25)
Chapter XXIII, Part 2 (19:01)
Chapter XXIV, Part 1 (25:14)
Chapter XXIV, Part 2 (15:57)
Chapter XXIV, Part 3 (17:51)
Chapter XXV, Part 1 (21:11)
Chapter XXV, Part 2 (18:49)
Chapter XXVI, Part 1 (24:59)
Chapter XXVI, Part 2 (18:49)
Chapter XXVII, Part 1 (16:07)
Chapter XXVII, Part 2 (21:48)
Chapter XXVIII, Part 1 (24:59)
Chapter XXVIII, Part 2 (18:57)
Chapter XXIX, Part 1 (26:35)
Chapter XXIX, Part 2 (19:15)
Chapter XXX, Part 1 (16:58)
Chapter XXX, Part 2 (18:59)
Chapter XXXI, Part 1 (22:15)
Chapter XXXI, Part 2 (20:42)
Chapter XXXII, Part 1 (18:12)
Chapter XXXII, Part 2 (17:34)
Chapter XXXIII (16:18)
Chapter XXXIV, Part 1 (27:57)
Chapter XXXIV, Part 2 (22:25)
Chapter XXXV, Part 1 (19:24)
Chapter XXXV, Part 2 (24:02)
Chapter XXXVI, Part 1 (25:23)
Chapter XXXVI, Part 2 (22:08)
Chapter XXXVII, Part 1 (25:29)
Chapter XXXVII, Part 2 (39:03)
Chapter XXXVIII, Part 1 (31:24)
Chapter XXXVIII, Part 2 (33:18)
Chapter XXXIX, Part 1 (32:27)
Chapter XXXIX, Part 2 (18:00)
Chapter XL, Part 1 (25:02)
Chapter XL, Part 2 (19:35)
Chapter XLI, Part 1 (28:13)
Chapter XLI, Part 2 (22:31)
Chapter XLII, Part 1 (18:21)
Chapter XLII, Part 2 (21:59)
Chapter XLIII, Part 1 (36:14)
Chapter XLIII, Part 2 (24:35)
Chapter XLIV, Part 1 (25:32)
Chapter XLIV, Part 2 (27:52)
Chapter XLV, Part 1 (29:55)
Chapter XLV, Part 2 (26:02)
Chapter XLVI, Part 1 (27:05)
Chapter XLVI, Part 2 (29:07)
Chapter XLVII, Part 1 (37:59)
Chapter XLVII, Part 2 (38:31)
Chapter XLVIII, Part 1 (26:54)
Chapter XLVIII, Part 2 (24:33)
Chapter XLIX, Part 1 (27:43)
Chapter XLIX, Part 2 (24:50)
Chapter L, Part 1 (35:01)
Chapter L, Part 2 (33:03)
Chapter LI, Part 1 (22:55)
Chapter LI, Part 2 (18:08)
Chapter LII, Part 1 (22:09)
Chapter LII, Part 2 (28:58)
Chapter LIII, Part 1 (29:21)
Chapter LIII, Part 2 (27:17)
Chapter LIV, Part 1 (28:03)
Chapter LIV, Part 2 (24:57)
Chapter LV, Part 1 (26:57)
Chapter LV, Part 2 (31:08)
Chapter LVI, Part 1 (29:46)
Chapter LVI, Part 2 (33:35)

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