Literature Podcasts

Librivox: Viviane by Lorrain, Jean show

Librivox: Viviane by Lorrain, JeanJoin Now to Follow

« Comment, Viviane, la fille onduleuse aux crins d'or, courtisane galloise experte en félonie, des douze preux d'Arthur ayant été honnie pour sa langue envieuse et ses viles amours, se vengea. » « Ainsi donc tu le veux, couleuvre aux yeux de femme ? Apprends donc la légende. » (Extraits adaptés) How the perfidious Viviane took revenge on Arthur's valiants, who held her in contempt, by seducing Myrdhinn, the sorcerer. So, that is what you want, grass-snake with woman's eyes? Then, learn the legend. (Summary by Ezwa)

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Librivox: Warme Polarland, Das by Constantin, Ernst show

Librivox: Warme Polarland, Das by Constantin, ErnstJoin Now to Follow

Ähnlich Jules Verne in seinem Roman "Reise zum Mittelpunkt der Erde", so führt uns auch Ernst Constantin in die Urtümliche Welt der Dinosaurier zurück. Als Handlungsort hat Ernst Constantin die damals noch unerforschte Polarregion gewählt. Sicherlich mit ein Grund, warum der Roman heute in Vergessenheit geraten ist.(Summary by Wassermann)

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Librivox: Catechism of Familiar Things; Their History, and the Events Which Led to Their Discovery, A by Anonymous show

Librivox: Catechism of Familiar Things; Their History, and the Events Which Led to Their Discovery, A by AnonymousJoin Now to Follow

This book, a reprint of a successful English publication, has been so enlarged as to be to all intents and purposes new. It has been carefully revised by a Reverend gentleman, who for some time filled the chair of Physics and Chemistry in one of our colleges. Recent inventions and improvements are described in a simple, popular style, so as to be easily understood by all, and short notices are given of prominent inventors and scientists. The paragraphs relating to doctrinal matters conform in every respect to the teachings of the Church. A feature which will commend the book to every teacher is the definitions of difficult words and terms, following the paragraphs in which such words occur. (from the Preface)

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Librivox: Strange Disappearance, A by Green, Anna Katharine show

Librivox: Strange Disappearance, A by Green, Anna KatharineJoin Now to Follow

Anna Katharine Green (November 11, 1846 – April 11, 1935) was an American poet and novelist. She was one of the first writers of detective fiction in America and distinguished herself by writing well plotted, legally accurate stories (no doubt assisted by her lawyer father).

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Librivox: Planet of the Damned by Harrison, Harry show

Librivox: Planet of the Damned by Harrison, HarryJoin Now to Follow

Once in a generation, a man is born with a heightened sense of empathy. Brion Brandd used this gift to win the Twenties, an annual physical and mental competition among the best and smartest people on Anvhar. But scarcely able to enjoy his victory, Brandd is swept off to the hellish planet Dis where he must use his heightened sense of empathy to help avert a global nuclear holocaust by negotiating with the blockading fleet, traversing the Disan underworld, and cracking the mystery of the savagely ruthless magter. Summary by Great Plains.

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Librivox: Enchanted April, The by Arnim, Elizabeth von show

Librivox: Enchanted April, The by Arnim, Elizabeth vonJoin Now to Follow

It’s a dreary February in post-World War I London when Mrs. Wilkins spots an advertisement in The Times for a small Italian castle for rent in April. She sees another member of her women’s club, Mrs. Arbuthnot, reading the same advertisement and manages to convince her that the two of them should rent it. Both are miserable and lonely in their marriages. They can’t afford the cost of the villa, San Salvatore, on their own and must advertise for two others, eventually recruiting an elderly widow named Mrs. Fisher, and Lady Caroline Dester, a beautiful young socialite desperate to escape from London and society. The four journey to Italy where San Salvatore works its magic separately on each of them, changing their lives in unexpected ways. (Summary by Diana Kiesners)

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Librivox: Bible (ASV) 38: Zechariah by American Standard Version show

Librivox: Bible (ASV) 38: Zechariah by American Standard VersionJoin Now to Follow

Zechariah’s ministry took place during the reign of Darius the Great (Zechariah 1:1), and was contemporary with Haggai in a post-exilic world after the fall of Jerusalem in 586/7 BC. Ezekiel and Jeremiah wrote prior to the fall of Jerusalem, while continuing to prophesy in the earlier exile period. Scholars believe Ezekiel, with his blending of ceremony and vision, heavily influenced the visionary works of Zechariah 1-8.Zechariah is specific about dating his writing (520-518 BC). During the Exile many Jews were taken to Babylon, where the prophets told them to make their homes (Jeremiah 29), suggesting they would spend a long period of time there. Eventually freedom did come to many Israelites, when Cyrus the Great overtook the Babylonians in 539 BC. In 538 BC, the famous Edict of Cyrus was released, and the first return took place under Shebazzar. After the death of Cyrus in 530 BC, Darius consolidated power and took office in 522 BC. His system divided the different colonies of the empire into easily manageable districts overseen by governors. Zerubbabel comes into the story, appointed by Darius as governor over the district of Yehud (Judah). Under the reign of Darius Zechariah also emerged, centering around the rebuilding of the temple. Unlike the Babylonians, the Persian Empire went to great lengths to keep “cordial relations” between vassal and lord. The rebuilding of the temple was encouraged by the leaders of the empire in hopes that it would strengthen the authorities in local contexts. This policy was good politics on the part of the Persians, and the Jews viewed it as a blessing by Yahweh. (Summary by Wikipedia)

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Librivox: Count of Monte Cristo, The by Dumas, Alexandre show

Librivox: Count of Monte Cristo, The by Dumas, AlexandreJoin Now to Follow

The Count of Monte Cristo (French: Le Comte de Monte-Cristo ) is an adventure novel by Alexandre Dumas, père. It is often considered, along with The Three Musketeers , as Dumas's most popular work. The writing of the work was completed in 1844. Like many of his novels, it is expanded from the plot outlines suggested by his collaborating ghostwriter Auguste Maquet. The story takes place in France, Italy, islands in the Mediterranean and the Levant during the historical events of 1815–1838 (from just before the Hundred Days through the reign of Louis-Philippe of France). The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book. It is primarily concerned with themes of justice, vengeance, mercy, and forgiveness, and is told in the style of an adventure story. (Summary from Wikipedia)

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Librivox: Frog Prince and Other Stories, The by Crane, Walter show

Librivox: Frog Prince and Other Stories, The by Crane, WalterJoin Now to Follow

Here are three charming fairy tales with happy endings. They feature an enchanted frog; a princess, her brothers, and a dastardly plot against them; and a magical lamp with a Genius inside. (by Laurie Anne Walden)

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Librivox: Man of Means, A by Wodehouse, P. G. show

Librivox: Man of Means, A by Wodehouse, P. G.Join Now to Follow

A Man of Means is a collection of six short stories written in collaboration by P. G. Wodehouse and C. H. Bovill. The stories all star Roland Bleke, a nondescript young man to whom financial success comes through a series of "lucky" chances, the first from a win in a sweepstake he had forgotten entering. Roland, like many a timid young man seeks love and marriage. In this pursuit his wealth is regularly a mixed blessing. The plot of each story follows its predecessor, sometimes directly, and occasionally refer back to past events in Bleke's meteoric career. The writing style is crisp and droll, and shows much of the skill and polish of the later Wodehouse. The disasters that befall the hapless Bleke are entertainingly recounted and his unforeseen rescues surprise and delight. In the character of the butler, Mr Teal, we meet an early draft of the ingenious Jeeves. The stories first appeared in the United Kingdom in The Strand in 1914, and in the United States in Pictorial Review in 1916. They were later published in book form in the UK by Porpoise Books in 1991; the collection was released on Project Gutenberg in 2003. (Summary by Wikipedia adapted by Tim Bulkeley)

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