The spirit-rapper; an autobiography
Orestes Brownson, the New England radical who became America's most combative Catholic intellectual, published this odd book in 1854 at the height of the craze for table-turning and spirit-rapping. Its narrator is a man who takes up mesmerism, discovers he can produce the manifestations himself, and is drawn by a philanthropist and a world-reformer into a conspiracy that reaches the revolutions of 1848 in Europe. Brownson insists in his preface that it is neither novel nor treatise, that only its machinery is fiction and that the connection he draws between spiritualism, socialism and revolution is historical. It is a polemic in the form of a confession, and a curious document of its decade. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The spirit-rapper; an autobiography
The spirit-rapper; an autobiography by Orestes Augustus Brownson can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The spirit-rapper; an autobiography online?
Yes. The spirit-rapper; an autobiography opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The spirit-rapper; an autobiography free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The spirit-rapper; an autobiography is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The spirit-rapper; an autobiography in the public domain?
Yes. The spirit-rapper; an autobiography by Orestes Augustus Brownson is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The spirit-rapper; an autobiography?
About 6 h 40 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The spirit-rapper; an autobiography?
The spirit-rapper; an autobiography by Orestes Augustus Brownson is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
