The Two Sides of the Shield by Charlotte Mary Yonge AUDIOBOOK

The Two Sides of the Shield is a thoughtful and emotionally intelligent novel by Charlotte Mary Yonge, exploring the tension between tradition and progress, duty and independence, and the different ways individuals respond to change. Written in the late 19th century, the novel continues Yonge’s legacy of moral storytelling grounded in rich character development and deeply felt ethical questions.

The story centers on the young and sensitive Dolores Mohun, a girl sent to live with her aunts and cousins after her mother’s death. Uprooted from her familiar surroundings and uncertain about her place in this new family, Dolores struggles with feelings of resentment, isolation, and misunderstood loyalty. Her proud and stubborn nature leads her into conflict—both with her well-meaning relatives and with herself.

Dolores's experience is the lens through which Yonge examines two distinct worldviews. On one side is the firm, dutiful, and structured lifestyle upheld by her aunts and cousins, reflecting traditional Anglican and domestic values. On the other is Dolores’s yearning for a freer, more independent existence shaped by loyalty to her late parents’ more liberal ideals. The tension between these two “sides of the shield” plays out through personal failures, betrayals, and—ultimately—growth, reconciliation, and maturity.

Through Dolores’s emotional journey, Yonge weaves a story of repentance, trust, and healing. The novel avoids simplistic resolutions, instead showing that true virtue often lies in humility, forgiveness, and the willingness to see life from multiple perspectives.

This audiobook is perfect for listeners who enjoy introspective, character-driven fiction with strong moral undercurrents. The Two Sides of the Shield offers a compelling portrait of a young girl’s transformation through struggle, and it reminds us that there’s often wisdom to be found on both sides of a conflict.

Audiobook time & format : 10h24m37s, OPUS, 469 Mo

Audiobook free extract time & format : 5m (see below to listen), WAV

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