
Porgy
DuBose Heyward's Porgy is a classic romance novel. Key subjects include people with disabilities and African American men.
On Project Gutenberg it was downloaded 481 times in the last 30 days.
It is in the public domain, so you can read it free on Project Gutenberg or listen to the 3 h 54 min LibriVox audiobook.
About Porgy
"Porgy" by DuBose Heyward is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Porgy, a disabled black beggar living in a vibrant but struggling community in Charleston, South Carolina, during a time of deep social and economic challenges. The narrative delves into themes of love, community, and the struggles faced by marginalized individuals, particularly through Porgy’s interactions and relationships with those around him. The opening of "Porgy" establishes a rich backdrop of Porgy’s world, filled with vivid descriptions of his life in Catfish Row, a neighborhood characterized by its tenement buildings and the daily lives of its residents. We learn of Porgy’s unique presence as a beggar who, despite his physical limitations, has an intriguing personality that captivates the people passing by. Among the vibrant life is a sense of foreboding as a violent confrontation hinted at with Crown, another resident who is known for his aggressive demeanor, foreshadows darker events to come. The narrative grips the reader's attention with its portrayal of the characters' interactions, the cultural vibrancy of the community, and Porgy’s introspective nature as he navigates his existence in a world filled with both camaraderie and strife.
Free audiobook
Porgy — LibriVox recording, 3 h 54 min in 7 sections.
Public-domain recording by volunteer readers. Listen online, download MP3s or stream from the Internet Archive.
Quick answers
Who wrote Porgy?
Porgy was written by DuBose Heyward.
What genre is Porgy?
It is usually shelved as Classic Love Stories.
Is Porgy free to read?
Yes. It is in the public domain in the United States and can be read free on Project Gutenberg in EPUB, Kindle and HTML formats.
Is there a free audiobook of Porgy?
Yes — LibriVox volunteers recorded it; the recording runs 3 h 54 min.
What books are similar to Porgy?
Readers who like it often enjoy Pride and Prejudice, Notre-Dame de Paris and Middlemarch.
Books like Porgy
- FREE🎧

Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
- FREE

Notre-Dame de Paris
Victor Hugo
- FREE

Middlemarch
George Eliot
- FREE🎧

The Enchanted April
Elizabeth Von Arnim
- FREE🎧

The Pirate
Sir Walter Scott
- FREE

Cynthia's Chauffeur
Louis Tracy
- FREE

Space Station 1
Frank Belknap Long
- FREE

Dainty's Cruel Rivals; Or, The Fatal Birthday
Miller, Alex. McVeigh, Mrs.