Arts Podcasts
Librivox: Lady Susan by Austen, JaneJoin Now to Follow
Jane Austen demonstrated her mastery of the epistolary novel genre in Lady Susan, which she wrote in 1795 but never published. Although the primary focus of this short novel is the selfish behavior of Lady Susan as she engages in affairs and searches for suitable husbands for herself and her young daughter, the actual action shares its importance with Austen’s manipulation of her characters' behavior by means of their reactions to the letters that they receive. The heroine adds additional interest by altering the tone of her own letters based on the recipient of the letter. Thus, the character of Lady Susan is developed through many branches as Austen suggests complications of identity and the way in which that identity is based on interaction rather than on solitary constructions of personality. Lady Susan’s character is also built by the descriptions of the other letter-writers; but even though their opinions of this heroine coincide with the image that develops from her own letters, Austen demonstrates the subjectivity of the opinions by presenting them – primarily – in the letters of one woman to another, thereby suggesting the established literary motifs of feminine gossip and jealousy. Readers recognize these subjective motifs and examine all of the idiosyncrasies of the characters in order to create their own opinion of Lady Susan – as they would of any real acquaintance. (Summary from Wikipedia)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The by Irving, WashingtonJoin Now to Follow
The quiet Dutch community of Sleepy Hollow lay in the Adirondack mountains on the western shore of the mighty Hudson River in America’s colonial period. The solitude of the woods was breathtaking, and not even a schoolmaster was immune from the eerie miasma which everyone knew permeated the dense forest. Written in 1820, Washington Irving’s The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow has become a classic of American literature, and has been retold in many different ways. Here is the original, from Irving’s own hand. (Summary by Chip)
By LibriVox
Much Ado About Nothing by SHAKESPEARE, WilliamJoin Now to Follow
<br>Written around the middle of his career, <i>Much Ado About Nothing</i> is one of Shakespeare's great festive comedies. The men are back from the war, and everyone is ready for romance. The dashing young Claudio falls for Hero, the daughter of Leonato, governor of Messina, and his friend Don Pedro helps him secure her affection. These youthful lovers are contrasted with the more experienced (and more cynical) Benedick and Beatrice, who have to be tricked into falling in love. Don Pedro's bastard brother, Don John, provides the intrigue, and the dimwitted constable Dogberry provides the laughs. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)<br><br><strong>Cast:</strong><br><br> Don Pedro: <a href="http://dev.librivox.org/reader/265">Janice</a><br> Don John: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/84">Christie Nowak</a><br> Claudio: <a>Lizzie Driver</a><br> Benedick: <a href="http://dev.librivox.org/reader/1259">Elizabeth Klett</a><br> Leonato: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4698">StephenC</a><br> Antonio: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1621">Caliban</a><br> Balthazar: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/2045">David O'Connell</a><br> Borachio: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4059">Troy Bond</a><br> Conrade: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4151">James Pritchard</a><br> Dogberry: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/87">Rosalind Wills</a><br> Verges: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1952">Lamarr Gulley</a><br> Friar Francis: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1899">Sharontzu</a><br> Sexton: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/2647">Aleithia</a><br> Boy: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/3536">Arielle Lipshaw</a><br> Hero: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/103">Karen Savage</a><br> Beatrice: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/28">Kristin Hughes</a><br> Margaret: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4135">Gates Maru</a><br> Ursula: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1401">Sibella Denton</a><br> Messenger: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1860">Josh Wilson</a><br> First Watch: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1994">Graham Dailey</a><br> Second Watch: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1621">Caliban</a><br> A Lord:<a href="http://librivox.org/reader/2279">Gilles Lehoux</a><br> Narrator: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1066">Laurie Anne Walden</a><br><br><strong>Audio edited by:</strong> Elizabeth Klett<br><br>
By LibriVox
Librivox: Gods of Mars, The by Burroughs, Edgar RiceJoin Now to Follow
The Gods of Mars is a 1918 Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novel, the second of his famous Barsoom series.It can be said that the novel set the tone for much science fiction to come. Its influence can clearly be seen in franchises such as Star Trek and Farscape. While Burroughs no doubt borrowed liberally from the pulp fiction of his day, particularly westerns and swashbuckling tales, the pacing and themes set the tone for the soft science fiction genre. The protagonist, John Carter, with his proficiency in hand-to-hand combat and flirtations with beautiful alien women, could be said to have set the mold for later influential icons like Captain James T. Kirk and James Bond. At the end of the first book, A Princess of Mars , John Carter is unwillingly transported back to Earth. The Gods of Mars begins with his arrival back on Barsoom (Mars) after a ten year hiatus, separated from his wife Dejah Thoris, his unborn child, and the Red Martian people of the nation of Helium, whom he has adopted as his own. Unfortunately, John Carter materializes in the one place on Barsoom from which nobody is allowed to depart: the Valley Dor, which is the Barsoomian heaven. (Summary from wikipedia)
By LibriVox
Sense and Sensibility (version 4) by AUSTEN, JaneJoin Now to Follow
When Mr Henry Dashwood dies, with his estate entailed to his son and grandson, his wife and three daughters are left in reduced circumstances. In their new home at Barton Cottage, the two older sisters, Elinor and Marianne, experience both romance and heartache. Will they find true love? (Introduction by Karen Savage)<p></p>
By LibriVox
Librivox: Lilith by MacDonald, GeorgeJoin Now to Follow
Lilith, written by the father of fantasy literature, George MacDonald, was first published in 1895. Its importance was recognized in its later revival in paperback by Ballantine Books as the fifth volume of the celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in September, 1969. Lilith is considered among the darkest of MacDonald's works, and among the most profound. It is a story concerning the nature of life, death and salvation. Many believe MacDonald is arguing for Christian universalism, or the idea that all will eventually be saved. (Summary from Wikipedia)
By LibriVox
Public Enemy Zero - a free audiobookJoin Now to Follow
The world is out to kill Mitchell Roberts. A strange virus is on the loose sending everyone he comes in contact with into a homicidal rage. From narrowly avoiding getting murdered at his ex-girlfriend’s front door, to a crowded shopping mall turned one-man zombie apocalypse, he’s got to stay a step ahead of everyone around him if he doesn’t want to get ripped apart alive. He’ll need to use every resource he has, from the advice of a paranoid late night radio host, to his Twitter account and find out why he’s become Public Enemy Zero. Written by Andrew Mayne Narrated by Justin Robert Young
By Andrew Mayne
Penguin Classics On AirJoin Now to Follow
Penguin Classics On Air is an original audio program produced by Penguin Classics. Part of the Radio Room, a channel on Penguin's Video & Radio Network, Penguin Classics On Air presents in-depth discussions on selected works from the 1,400 title Penguin Classics library. Look for our Podcast in the iTunes Music Store.
By Penguin Books
Librivox: Gulliver's Travels by Swift, JonathanJoin Now to Follow
Gulliver's Travels (1726, amended 1735), officially Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, is a novel by Jonathan Swift that is both a satire on human nature and a parody of the "travelers' tales" literary sub-genre. It is widely considered Swift's magnum opus and is his most celebrated work, as well as one of the indisputable classics of English literature. (Summary from Wikipedia)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Jane Eyre (version 2) by Brontë, CharlotteJoin Now to Follow
Charlotte Bronte's classic novel Jane Eyre is narrated by the title character, an orphan who survives neglect and abuse to become a governess at the remote Thornfield Hall. She finds a kindred spirit in her employer, the mysterious and brooding Mr. Rochester, but he hides a terrible secret that threatens their chances of happiness. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)
By LibriVox
