About this book
Vingtième siècle by Albert Robida crackles with satirical wit and sharp foresight as it reimagines the twentieth century through a playful, prophetic lens. Robida’s speculative fiction blends social commentary and early science fiction to lampoon politics, capitalism, tourism and the press while anticipating technologies like the telephone, television and synchronized media spectacle.
At the center is Hélène Colobry, a young woman navigating limited schooling and the expectations of her era as she tries roles from apprentice lawyer to politician, then writer and journalist—each career illuminating shifting gender roles and public life. Robida skewers courtroom theatrics (where women supposedly sway juries), mass publicity, and the commercialization of society, delivering clever critiques without losing comedic charm. The book captures late-19th-century anxieties and hopes about modernity, trade, and the expanding reach of media.
A vivid piece of historical science fiction and social satire, this audiobook is perfect for listeners who love vintage speculative fiction, proto-feminist narratives, and clever cultural critique. Tune in for sharp humor, imaginative inventions, and a surprisingly modern take on the century to come.
