Charles Brockden Brown's *Arthur Mervyn* follows a desperate young man cast out by his stepmother who arrives in Philadelphia during the catastrophic yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Seeking honest work as a clerk, Arthur discovers his employer harbors a sinister secret: he's a ruthless con man and murderer. When Arthur becomes entangled in disposing of a corpse one fateful night, he witnesses his employer swept away by the river's current—leaving him alone with dangerous knowledge and an uncertain future.
This landmark American Gothic novel captures a nation gripped by fear and transformation. Published in two parts between 1799 and 1800, *Arthur Mervyn* reflects the turbulent aftermath of the French Revolution and the Haitian Rebellion, anxieties that permeate Brown's masterful exploration of mystery, deception, and moral ambiguity. Through vivid depictions of disease-ravaged Philadelphia and morally complex characters, Brown pioneered the psychological thriller in American literature, influencing generations of writers to come.
As one of the earliest American novelists, Charles Brockden Brown crafted tales that blur reality and nightmare, combining intellectual sophistication with genuine terror. This audiobook is essential listening for fans of early American literature, Gothic fiction, and historical novels that illuminate how past crises shaped American identity. Discover why Brown remains a foundational figure in the development of the American literary tradition.
