The Classic Tales Podcast

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Ep. 855, The Jolly Corner, Part 1 of 2, by Henry James Sep 08, 2023

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Is the spectral presence in Bryden's home the ghost of his alter ego, or is he just seeing what he wants to see? Henry James, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

If you'd like to hear more Classic Tales, then buckle up. Starting this week, for every one episode of new content, we will be releasing two Vintage Episodes of The Classic Tales Podcast. You may have noticed that there are only 250+ episodes available through the podcast, but the episode numbers are 850+. That means there are around 600 episodes currently not on the feed. Well, we're going to change that.

Not only will we continue to create new content every Friday, but on Mondays and Wednesdays we be releasing Vintage Episodes of The Classic Tales Podcast. We're going to start at the very beginning, with the very first episode, and release two Vintage Episodes every week. If we release two Vintage Episodes for every new episode, we'll be caught up in around five and a half years.

So if you want more, you got it. But this is a trial program. We're going to try this for a while, and if you like it, please become a supporter, or tell your friends, or drop us a line and let us know. We'll see how it goes. As for me, I'm excited to revisit some of my old friends, and I'd like to hear from you.

Keep an eye on your podcast feed, and you'll see two new episodes in addition to our regular show on Friday. If you like it, head on over to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and let us know one way or another. And thanks for your support!

Today's story is incredibly autobiographical, and is considered one of Henry James' best ghost stories. He wrote it six years before his death, and thirty-three years after he settled in Europe after leaving America.

It's the story of a wealthy young man who leaves America in his youth, follows a life of dissipation for 33 years in Europe, and returns to his ancestral home in New York. He is struck by the changes he sees, of course. But upon realizing he has a certain knack for real estate development, he is haunted by his alter ego – the man he could have been.

And now, The Jolly Corner, Part 1 of 2, by Henry James.

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Ep. 854, The Signal Man, by Charles Dickens Sep 01, 2023

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Why is a spectre haunting a lonely signal man in the small hours of the night? Charles Dickens, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

If you're like me, when it comes to choosing audiobooks, I have two problems:

I don't know if I'll like the writing, and I don't know whether I'll like the narrator.

Being a supporter of The Classic Tales solves this problem perfectly.

You can listen to the podcast for free, go to the Classic Tales store, and try downloading some of our free offerings. You can totally try before you buy, and we've recently updated our free titles, so check it out!

Whatever title you choose, you know it's going to be carefully curated, so the writing is on point, and you know the narrator!

Become a monthly supporter, and you can support the show, and get more audiobooks!

It's a great way to listen to high quality audiobooks you know you'll love! We got you covered!

After the show, go to classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a supporter. Thanks for helping out.

Oliver Twist. Great Expectations. David Copperfield. A Christmas Carol. Nicholas Nickleby. The list goes on. When it comes to classic literature, Charles Dickens has it covered. He's written some of the most iconic characters in our canon of classic literature.

He used his power to point out some of the worst parts of the Industrial Revolution in Victorian England. And he also showed us the heights of humanity by detailing the lives of the poor and lower classes. Now, let's hear a ghost story.

And now, The Signal Man, by Charles Dickens.

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Ep. 853, Let's Get Together, by Isaac Asimov Aug 25, 2023

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Ten undetectable humanoids are loose in the United States, and if they get together, they will transform into a horrific bomb. How can they be stopped? Isaac Asimov, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

If you're like me, when it comes to choosing audiobooks, I have two problems:

I don't know if I'll like the writing, and I don't know whether I'll like the narrator.

Being a supporter of The Classic Tales solves this problem perfectly. You can listen to the podcast for free, go to the Classic Tales store, and try downloading some of our free offerings. You can totally try before you buy, and we've recently updated our free titles, so check it out!

Whatever title you choose, you know it's going to be carefully curated, so the writing is on point, and you know the narrator!

Become a monthly supporter, and you can support the show, and get more audiobooks!

It's a great way to listen to high quality audiobooks you know you'll love! We got you covered!

After the show, go to classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a supporter. Thanks for helping out.

Isaac Asimov (1920 – 1992) was an American writer and professor. In his time, he was considered one of the "Big Three" most influential science fiction writers of his day, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. He wrote or edited over 500 works, including the Foundation series, the first three books of which won the Hugo Award for "Best All-Time Series" in 1966. His other major series are the Galactic Empire series, and the Robot series.

Asimov is also known for inventing terms which are now commonplace. He coined the phrase "robotics" in his 1941 story, "Liar". Also, the word psychohistory, having to do with a fictional branch of science that combines statistics, science, and history, to make predictions about the future. This concept is explored in his Foundation series.

Today's story was first published in the February 1957 issue of Infinity magazine. Extensive research did not uncover that the U.S. copyright was renewed.

And now, Let's Get Together, by Isaac Asimov.

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Ep. 852, The Triumph of Night, by Edith Wharton Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

Why does Mr. Lavington insist that his nephew remain in the brutal winter of New England, defying the diagnoses of many doctors? Edith Wharton, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

We are proudly supported by our listeners. We couldn't do this without you. Your monthly donation helps in so many ways, and it also gives you access to more classic titles.

Go to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a financial supporter today. A $5 dollar monthly donation gets you an $8 monthly coupon code for any audiobook order. Give more, and you get more! Thank you so much.

Edith Wharton wrote several ghost stories in the early twentieth century. Today's story was first published in 1914. She believed a good supernatural tale should, " send a cold shiver down one's spine", but not resort to conventional descriptions of ghosts and similar spirits. In this way she is similar to her contemporary and friend, Henry James.

The craft of the Victorian Ghost Story is evident in the subtle way the atmosphere is crafted, and the suspense gently builds. Notice how Mr. Lavington is described. His smile is fixed on his face. "His intense personality has permeated every corner of his dwelling, in an occult way." It's one of those stories you want to listen to again once you're done, to see what you missed. I hope you like it.

And now, The Triumph of Night, by Edith Wharton.

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Ep. 851, The Nice People, by Henry Cuyler Bunner Aug 11, 2023

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Why are Mr. and Mrs. Brede telling so many lies? They seem like such nice people. Henry Cuyler Bunner, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

We are proudly supported by our listeners. We couldn't do this without you. Your monthly donation helps in so many ways, and it also gives you access to more classic titles.

Henry Cuyler Bunner (1855-1896) Was an American journalist, novelist, and poet. His works were largely anthologized in the early 1900s, but he's mostly forgotten now. His short story about the comedic adventures of a circus elephant, Zenobia's Infidelity, was made into a film in 1939 starring Oliver Hardy.

This piece stuck out to me because there are some really nice moments of description, and the way characters can be described so concisely. It's also an interesting study of how humor has evolved over the years.

And now, The Nice People, by Henry Cuyler Bunner.

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Ep. 850, The Revolt of Mother, by Mary E Wilkins Freeman Aug 04, 2023

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How will mother respond when she learns that a new barn is being built where she'd been promised a house? Mary E Wilkins Freeman, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

We are proudly supported by our listeners. We couldn't do this without you. Your monthly donation helps in so many ways, and it also gives you access to more classic titles.

Mary E Wilkins Freeman (1852 – 1930) was an American author who wrote in a variety of formats, including novels, short stories, and children's poetry. She is known for her strong voice in defending the plight of women.

Today's story was published in her most famous work, A New England Nun and Other Stories (1891) I discovered it in a book published for high school English students in 1920. I just wanted to point out a couple of things about this story. Note that in the beginning, no names are used for the characters – their roles are emphasized first, then the names come after a while.

Also, in the beginning, when the mother and daughter are discussing father's behavior, mother says: "You hadn't ought to judge father, though. He can't help it, 'cause he don't look at things jest the way we do." Notice how this one line sets up everything that follows.

And now, The Revolt of Mother, by Mary E Wilkins Freeman.

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Ep. 849, Araby, by James Joyce Jul 28, 2023

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Will the joys of the Araby bazaar live up to the hype, or is this enthusiasm possibly misplaced? James Joyce, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

We are proudly supported by our listeners. We couldn't do this without you. Your monthly donation helps in so many ways, and it also gives you access to more classic titles.

Go to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a financial supporter today. A $5 dollar monthly donation gets you an $8 monthly coupon code for any audiobook order. Thank you so much.

James Augustine Aloysius Joyce lived from 1882 – 1941, and is widely considered one of the most important writers of the 20th century. He contributed to the modernist avant-garde movement, and stream of consciousness writing. His most well-known works include The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916), Finnegan's Wake (1939), and Ulysses (1922).

Today's story was published in the short story collection Dubliners in 1914. It centers around a coming-of-age narrator who is infatuated with his friend's sister, and promises to get her something at the Araby bazaar.

There are several themes touched on in Araby, many of which recur frequently in Dubliners. The meeting of imagination with reality, the consequences of idealization, The Catholic Church's influence to shame desire and sensuality, among others. There is also a focus on the pain one feels when encountering love in reality, rather than in its idealized form.

And now, Araby, by James Joyce.

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Ep. 848, The Treasure in the Forest, by H.G. Wells Jul 21, 2023

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A cutthroat quest for buried treasure begs the question - is one life more sacred than another? H.G. Wells, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

We are proudly supported by our listeners. We couldn't do this without you. Your monthly donation helps in so many ways, and it also gives you access to more classic titles.

Go to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a financial supporter today. A $5 dollar monthly donation gets you an $8 monthly coupon code for any audiobook order. Thank you so much.

Herbert George Wells lived from 1866 to 1946, and saw the world change on a scale like never before. A forward-thinking social critic, he wrote a number of utopian works and foresaw the advent of aircraft, space travel, nuclear weapons, and the world wide web.

He was known for placing commonplace detail alongside a single extraordinary assumption in each work. This method was dubbed "Wells' Law". His most notable works include The Invisible Man, The Time Machine, The Island of Dr. Moreau, and The War of the Worlds.

Today's story contains the commonplace details surrounding a hunt for buried treasure. What do you see as the single extraordinary assumption?

And now, The Treasure in the Forest, by H.G. Wells.

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Ep. 847, The Fortune-Teller, by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis Jul 14, 2023

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Are there really more things in heaven and earth than we can dream of? Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

We are proudly supported by our listeners. We couldn't do this without you. Your monthly donation helps in so many ways, and it also gives you access to more classic titles.

Go to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a financial supporter today. A $5 dollar monthly donation gets you an $8 monthly coupon code for any audiobook order. Thank you so much.

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis is widely regarded as the greatest Brazilian writer. Born on June 21st, 1839 to a poor family, and the grandson of freed slaves in Rio de Janeiro, he did not achieve notoriety outside of Brazil during his lifetime. He was an autodidact, never attending university, and scrapping to learn everything he could while struggling to rise in society. He taught himself French, English, German and Greek, and was the first President of the Brazilian Academy of Letters.

Today's story begins by referencing the expression from Shakespeare about there being more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our philosophy. There's more going on than we can see, or touch, etc.. Ghosts, mystical forces, prophesy, divine guidance, destiny, these types of things. It's possible that like most people, a version of these things give you comfort. The question I'd pose is – why do they comfort you?

And now, The Fortune-Teller, by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis.

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Ep. 846, Tickets, Please, by D.H. Lawrence Jul 07, 2023

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Is a young man's philandering ever really a victimless crime? D.H. Lawrence, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

We are proudly supported by our listeners. We couldn't do this without you. Your monthly donation helps in so many ways, and it also gives you access to more classic titles.

Go to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a financial supporter today. A $5 dollar monthly donation gets you an $8 monthly coupon code for any audiobook order. Thank you so much.

App users can watch a short video of me talking about another thing I love about the classics, if that's your idea of a good time.

If you're in the mood for a good contemporary thriller, check out Immortal Red, by Keith Hummel on Audible. The link is in the show notes. When a biologist discovers a jellyfish that holds the secret to immortality, things start to spin out of control. Tapping into his years of medical experience, Hummel's convincing thriller spans the globe as governments and mercenaries conspire to acquire the real essence of eternal life. I had a great time recording it. That's Immortal Red, by Keith Hummel. Don't miss it!

David Herbert Lawrence was a novelist, poet, short story writer and essayist. His best known novels, including "Sons and Lovers", "The Rainbow", and "Lady Chatterley's Lover", were subjects of censorship trials for their radical use of strong language and sexuality. Lawrence was largely maligned and estranged during his career. However, E.M. Forster in an obituary notice challenged this view, dubbing Lawrence, "the greatest imaginative novelist of our generation".

Today's story isn't particularly racy at all, please don't worry about that. But it's elegantly written, and very powerful in it's message. It's from a collection of short stories written from 1913 – 1922, and takes place during World War I. Written a hundred years before the "Me Too" movement, this is one of the issues we're still struggling with as a species. See if the punishment fits the crime. Then ask yourself why you came to that conclusion.

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