These Violent Delights Audiobook: Blood and Betrayal in 1920s Shanghai
These Violent Delights
Historical Fantasy
These Violent Delights
2020
"These violent delights have violent ends."
If you are searching for "these violent delights audiobook," you want to experience Chloe Gong's dazzling reimagining of Romeo and Juliet through sound. With Narratemi, you can create an AI-narrated audiobook where Roma's haunted voice echoes through the streets of Shanghai, where Juliette's ruthless command of the Scarlet Gang rings clear, and where a monster in the Huangpu River turns star-crossed lovers into reluctant allies.
Why These Violent Delights Is Extraordinary in Audio
Gong's prose shimmers with Jazz Age glamour and gangland violence. The rival gangs of Shanghai battle for territory while a supernatural plague threatens them all. Audio transforms this story into cinematic immersion:
- Juliette's voice: Heir to the Scarlet Gang, returned from America to reclaim her place
- Roma's conflict: White Flower heir torn between duty and his past with Juliette
- 1920s Shanghai: Flappers, jazz clubs, colonialism, and gang warfare brought to life
- The monster: A supernatural creature driving people to madness
- Star-crossed tension: The chemistry between former lovers turned enemies
The Cast of Characters
These Violent Delights features a cast divided by blood feuds and united by catastrophe:
| Character | Voice Suggestion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roma Montagov | Brooding, conflicted male | Heir to the White Flowers, haunted by his past |
| Juliette Cai | Sharp, commanding female | Heir to the Scarlet Gang, ruthless and strategic |
| Benedikt | Loyal, warm male | Roma's cousin and closest friend |
| Marshall Seo | Witty, charming male | Benedikt's best friend and Roma's cousin |
| Rosalind | Cold, calculating female | Juliette's cousin and rival within the gang |
| Kathleen | Sweet, vulnerable female | Juliette's younger sister caught in the violence |
Create Your These Violent Delights Audiobook
Step 1: Get Your Digital Copy
Obtain These Violent Delights in EPUB format:
- Amazon Kindle (convert with Calibre)
- Apple Books
- Kobo
- Public Libraries (many offer e-book lending)
Step 2: Join Narratemi
Create Free AccountStep 3: Cast the Gangs of Shanghai
This is where the feud reignites. Use Narratemi's multi-voice feature:
- Upload your EPUB file
- Enable multi-character mode
- Review AI-detected character dialogue
- Assign distinct voices by gang: Scarlet Gang (Juliette, Rosalind, Kathleen) versus White Flowers (Roma, Benedikt, Marshall)
- Preview key scenes: The monster's first appearance, Juliette and Roma's reunion, the Jazz Age parties
Pro tip: Give Juliette and Roma voices that carry both attraction and hostility—their history demands vocal layers that shift between tenderness and rage.
Step 4: Generate and Descend into Chaos
Click generate, and 1920s Shanghai will come alive. Every gunshot, every jazz note, every monstrous scream brought to life through voice.
What Makes These Violent Delights Special
Chloe Gong crafted a retelling that redefined classic literature for a new generation:
- Goodreads acclaim: Over 300k ratings, New York Times bestseller
- Cultural authenticity: Gong's Chinese heritage brings depth to the Shanghai setting
- Shakespeare reimagined: Romeo and Juliet with gangs, monsters, and colonialism
- Duology completion: Our Violent Ends concludes the story
- Comp titles: Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and historical fantasy
The These Violent Delights Series: Full Duology
For those who fall into the feud, the complete duology spans two books:
- Book 1: These Violent Delights - ~17 hours. The monster arrives in Shanghai
- Book 2: Our Violent Ends - ~18 hours. The final confrontation and ultimate sacrifice
Over 35 hours of blood feuds, forbidden love, and supernatural horror.
Perfect Listening Scenarios
These Violent Delights rewards atmospheric listening:
- Evening commutes: The Jazz Age setting pairs perfectly with nighttime city lights
- Long walks: The mystery unfolds at a steady, engaging pace
- Historical deep dives: Pair with research on 1920s Shanghai for extra context
- Relistening for clues: Gong plants foreshadowing throughout—the monster's origin reveals itself slowly
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is These Violent Delights as an audiobook?
Approximately 17 hours at normal narration speed. A richly atmospheric story that balances action with character depth.
Do I need to know Romeo and Juliet?
Not required. Gong's retelling stands alone completely. Familiarity with Shakespeare adds an extra layer of appreciation (and dread, knowing how the original ends), but the story is fully accessible.
Is the romance central to the plot?
The romance between Juliette and Roma is significant, but it's secondary to the gang warfare and supernatural mystery. The relationship drives their choices but doesn't dominate the narrative.
Can AI handle the Chinese names and terms?
Narratemi allows custom pronunciation configuration. You can set guides for names like "Juliette Cai," "Roma Montagov," and Shanghai locations to ensure consistency throughout.
How scary is the monster subplot?
Body horror and psychological terror rather than jump scares. The monster drives people to madness and self-harm. It's atmospheric and disturbing but not gratuitously graphic.
About the Author
Chloe Gong was born in Shanghai and raised in New Zealand. She wrote These Violent Delights while studying at the University of Pennsylvania. The novel became a New York Times bestseller and launched Gong's career. She has since written Our Violent Ends, the Foul Lady Fortune duology, and continues to explore historical fantasy set in China.
Join the Blood Feud
Create your own multi-voice AI audiobook and descend into the chaos of 1920s Shanghai. Every gang war, every forbidden moment, every monstrous horror brought to life.
Enter the City of Blood