Season 2 Episode 6

They Stooped to Folly is a captivating novel written by Ellen Glasgow, a renowned American author of the early 20th century. Published in 1929, the novel explores the themes of love, ambition, and the pursuit of artistic endeavors. It provides a compelling glimpse into the lives of the characters as they navigate the complexities of relationships and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of creative passion.

The plot of "They Stooped to Folly" centers around the life of Dorinda Oakley, a talented and ambitious actress. Dorinda is determined to rise to the top of her profession, sacrificing personal relationships and moral boundaries along the way. The novel offers an in-depth exploration of her journey as she maneuvers through the challenges of the theater world, striving for success while facing numerous obstacles.

Through the story of Dorinda Oakley, Ellen Glasgow delves into the complexities of the human psyche and the price individuals pay for their dreams. The novel presents a critique of the compromises made in the pursuit of fame and fortune, and the effects of such sacrifices on personal happiness and fulfillment.

"They Stooped to Folly" was adapted into a radio presentation as part of the "NBC University Theater" series. The "NBC University Theater" aired educational and cultural programming from 1948 to 1951, presenting adaptations of various literary works. While specific details about the adaptation of "They Stooped to Folly" are not available, it is likely that the radio presentation aimed to bring the characters and story of Ellen Glasgow's novel to life, offering listeners an engaging audio experience that captured the essence of the original work.

"They Stooped to Folly" is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of the human condition and the pursuit of artistic aspirations. Through its exploration of the sacrifices made in the quest for success, the novel prompts readers and radio listeners alike to reflect on the nature of ambition and the price we pay for our dreams.

Books in Sound is a free podcast series that presents a collection of hundreds of the world’s greatest books through the magic of the performing arts.

Different from audiobooks: Instead of having a single narrator read an audiobook, these performances have a full cast of actors, suitable background music, and special effects that help define the drama.

Most presentations are from old time radio theater broadcasts that have been remastered to remove most of the hissing, clicking and volume fluctuations. Many of the presentations are from the 1930's and 1940's, so a significant amount of work went into the remastering process.

Most presentations are about one hour, some are multiple hours, and some are abbreviated presentation that last about half an hour, making this series wonderful for bedtime stories, self-improvement by learning about literature, or simply as a very imaginative form of entertainment.

The episodes are not sequential, but we do recommend listening to the complete collection starting with the first episode so that you can grow and benefit from the wide assortment of styles and content.

For more information visit https://www.booksinsound.com