Literature Podcasts
Librivox: House-Boat on the Styx, A by Bangs, John KendrickJoin Now to Follow
The premise of the book is that everyone who has ever died (up until the time in which the book is set, which seems to be about the time of its publication) has gone to Styx. This does not appear to be the conventional Hell described by Dante in The Inferno, but rather the Hades described in Greek myth (both of which had Styxes): a universal collecting pot for dead souls, regardless of their deeds in life. The book begins with Charon, ferryman of the Styx (in The Inferno, he was the ferryman of the river Acheron) being startled—and annoyed—by the arrival of a house boat on the Styx. At first afraid that the boat will put him out of business, he later finds out that he is actually to be appointed the boat's janitor. What follows are eleven more stories (for a total of twelve) which are set on the house boat. There is no central theme, and the purpose of the book appears to be as a literary thought experiment to see what would happen if various famous dead people were put in the same room with each other. Each chapter is a short story featuring various souls from history and mythology. (Wikipedia)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Deephaven by Jewett, Sarah OrneJoin Now to Follow
Sarah Orne Jewett is best known for her clean and clear descriptive powers that at once elevate common-place daily events to something remarkable, and lend dignity and grace to the most humble and homely human character. In Deephaven, go with her on vacation to an unforgettable sea side village where time runs slower and small pleasures are intensified. Much space is given to outdoor rambles and sights and events of daily living that draw you into another era. Jewett's loving and gentle descriptions of the people and life of Deephaven will make you sorry when the book is over, and long to be able to find that village for yourself. (Summary by Brenda Price)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Concerning Cats: My Own and Some Others by Winslow, Helen M.Join Now to Follow
"I have known, and loved, and studied many cats, but my knowledge of her (Pretty Lady, a cat) alone would convince me that cats love people--in their dignified, reserved way, and when they feel that their love is not wasted; that they reason, and that they seldom act from impulse." The thoughts of Helen Winslow, a thoughtful and articulate cat friend, about the cats in her life. (Summary by Karen Merline)
By LibriVox
The Dune Saga PodcastJoin Now to Follow
The Dune Saga Podcast (Scott Hertzog - The SciFi Diner Podcast; David Moulton - The Lancast; and Jim Arrowood - Jim's SciFi Blog) are taking a chronological journey through all the Dune novels, starting with the Legends of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, working our way through Frank Herbert's original Dune series, and moving our way beyond. Come join the conversation.
By The Dune Saga Podcast
Librivox: Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The version 2 by Fitzgerald, F. ScottJoin Now to Follow
The curious Case of Benjamin Button, a 1921 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, now a major motion picture, features Benjamin Button, who, born as an old man much to the dismay and chagrin of his father and family Doctor, ages backwards until he leaves this world as a newborn. (Summary by Mike Vendetti)
By LibriVox
Librivox: With Christ in the School of Prayer by Murray, AndrewJoin Now to Follow
It is under a deep impression that the place and power of prayer in the Christian life is too little understood, that this book has been written. I feel sure that as long as we look on prayer chiefly as the means of maintaining our own Christian life, we shall not know fully what it is meant to be. But when we learn to regard it as the highest part of the work entrusted to us, the root and strength of all other work, we shall see that there is nothing that we so need to study and practise as the art of praying aright. ... the Father waits to hear every prayer of faith, to give us whatsoever we will, and whatsoever we ask in Jesus’ name. (Andrew Murray, quoted from the Preface of this book)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Join Now to Follow
1862 Anna Leonowens accepted an offer made by the Siamese consul in Singapore, Tan Kim Ching, to teach the wives and children of Mongkut, king of Siam. The king wished to give his 39 wives and concubines and 82 children a modern Western education on scientific secular lines, which earlier missionaries' wives had not provided. Leonowens sent her daughter Avis to school in England, and took her son Louis with her to Bangkok. She succeeded Dan Beach Bradley, an American missionary, as teacher to the Siamese court. Leonowens served at court until 1867, a period of nearly six years, first as a teacher and later as language secretary for the king. Although her position carried great respect and even a degree of political influence, she did not find the terms and conditions of her employment to her satisfaction, and came to be regarded by the king himself as a rather difficult woman. In 1868 Leonowens was on leave for her health in England and had been negotiating a return to the court on better terms when Mongkut fell ill and died. The king mentioned Leonowens and her son in his will, though they did not receive the legacy. The new monarch, fifteen-year-old Chulalongkorn, who succeeded his father, wrote Leonowens a warm letter of thanks for her services. By 1869 Leonowens was in New York, and began contributing travel articles to a Boston journal, Atlantic Monthly, including 'The Favorite of the Harem', reviewed by the New York Times as 'an Eastern love story, having apparently a strong basis of truth'.She expanded her articles into two volumes of memoirs, beginning with The English Governess at the Siamese Court (1870), which earned her immediate fame but also brought charges of sensationalism. In her writing she casts a critical eye over court life; the account is not always a flattering one, and has become the subject of controversy in Thailand; she has also been accused of exaggerating her influence with the king.”
By LibriVox
Librivox: Short Science Fiction Collection 012 by VariousJoin Now to Follow
Science fiction (abbreviated SF or sci-fi with varying punctuation and case) is a broad genre of fiction that often involves sociological and technical speculations based on current or future science or technology. This is a reader-selected collection of short stories that entered the US public domain when their copyright was not renewed. Summary by Cori Samuel, with Wikipedia input.
By LibriVox
Librivox: String of Pearls, The by UnknownJoin Now to Follow
The tale of Sweeney Todd has had many incarnations, most famously the stage and movie musical by Stephen Sondheim. But it all started in 1846 with a serialized telling of the story titled “The String of Pearls” in the weekly magazine “The People's Periodical and Family Library”. Called by some a romance, by others a horror story, it is one of the earliest murder mysteries. In “The String of Pearls”, Sweeney Todd is less sympathetic than in some of his later incarnations – a perfect villain, totally self-seeking with no redeeming qualities. How the deeds of Todd are uncovered and how he is brought to justice make a most intriguing tale, but one probably not suited for the very young and certainly not for the squeamish. (Summary by John Lieder).
By LibriVox
Librivox: Sammlung kurzer deutscher Prosa 006 by VariousJoin Now to Follow
Diese Sammlung umfasst jede Art von deutschsprachigen Texten aller Genres, egal ob Fiktion, Non-Fiktion oder Lyrik. In dieser Sammlung finden sich: 01. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832): Die Sängerin Antonelli. "Aus 'Unterhaltungen deutscher Ausgewanderten'. Nach dem Tod ihres Geliebten wird die Sängerin von einem Spuk verfolgt." 02. Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893): Der Blinde. "Ein typisches Beispiel der unübertroffenen menschlichen Nächstenliebe: Maupassant beschreibt die Erinnerung an das traurige Martyrium eines Blinden der, da nicht arbeitsfähig - also nutzlos, von der Gesellschaft ausgestoßen und misshandelt wird." 03. Kurt Tucholsky (1890-1935): Der Loew' ist los. "Der Löwe Wüstenkönig versetzt Berlin in Angst und Schrecken. Die Ordnung gerät schnell durcheinander, einige wissen die Situation auszunutzen, während Militär und Politik drastische Mittel einsetzen, um den gelangweilten Löwen in Schach zu halten." 04. Kurt Tucholsky (1890-1935): Das Elternhaus. "Eine kurze Satire, die uns im Zoo durch verschiedene Elterngattungen führt und uns etwas über Erziehung beibringt." 05. Kurd Lasswitz (1848-1910): Die entflohene Blume. "Kurd Lasswitz verarbeitet in dieser Kurzgeschichte zwei seiner Lieblingsthemen: Das Leben auf dem Mars (siehe auch "Auf zwei Planten") und die Pflanzenseele (siehe auch "Sternentau - Die Pflanze vom Neptunsmond")." 06. Georg Queri (1879-1919): Das Kriegstagebuch. "Über den Versuch, ein Tagebuch zu führen." 07. Wilhelm Hauff (1802-1827): Satans Besuch bei Herrn von Goethe. "Auszug aus 'Mittheilungen aus den Memoiren des Satan'. Was Satan von Goethes Mephistopheles hält und was er bei einem Besuch im Hause des Dichters erlebt." 08. Eduard Mörike (1804-1875): Spuk im Pfarrhaus zu Cleversulzbach. "Mörike berichtet von seinen Erlebnissen in dem Pfarrhaus, das er von 1834-1843 als Pfarrer bewohnte." 09. Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926): Wie der Verrat nach Russland kam. "Ein Märchen." 10. Kurt Tucholsky (1890-1935): Vorsätze: "Über gute Vorsätze und was daraus wird." Summary by Didier, Markus Wachenheim, Hokuspokus, Wassermann
By LibriVox
