Arts Podcasts
Librivox: Age of Innocence, The by Wharton, EdithJoin Now to Follow
In an era before the advent of electric lights, telephones or motor vehicles, there exists a small cluster of aristocratic "old revolutionary stock" families that rule New York's social life. Under the rules of this society, "being things" is better than "doing things" and reputation and outward appearances come at the exclusion of everything else. In this Gilded Age, when America’s expansion and increased industrialism produce a group of newly wealthy robber barons and financiers, the patient, time-honored values of the old ruling class, and century, are giving way to the expediencies of the new. Caught at this cusp, a triangle of lovers, who must choose between the expectations of family and society, and the deepest yearnings of the heart. Newly engaged couple, Newland Archer, a young lawyer, and May Welland, a society debutante, are part of the old world, where the "right people" follow the "correct rules" and marry into "acceptable families." The arrival from Europe of May’s cousin, the Countess Ellen Olenska, complicates their union, as Ellen’s mysterious past threatens to cast a shadow of scandal over the newly betrothed couple. Newland Archer, at first critical of Ellen's bohemian lifestyle, and her seemingly wilful ignorance of the rules and customs of his Old New York, is soon captivated by Ellen's warmth, spirit, and her generous and loving heart. Will he cast off the life for which he's been groomed, or sacrifice happiness for duty and the greater good of the social order? (Summary by Brenda Dayne)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Swiss Family Robinson, The (Version 2) by Wyss, Johann DavidJoin Now to Follow
First published in 1812, The Swiss Family Robinson may sometimes seem old-fashioned to modern readers, especially the family’s attitude toward wildlife (if it moves, shoot it). However, it’s a truly exciting adventure and a timeless story of warm and loving family life. As the narrator says: “It was written... for the instruction and amusement of my children... Children are, on the whole, very much alike everywhere, and you four lads fairly represent multitudes... It will make me happy to think that my simple narrative may lead some of these to observe how blessed are the results of patient continuance in well-doing, what benefits arise from the thoughtful application of knowledge and science, and how good and pleasant a thing it is when brethren dwell together in unity, under the eye of parental love.” Written by Swiss pastor Johann David Wyss and edited by his son Johann Rudolf Wyss (this edition lists J.R. as the author), the novel was intended to teach his four sons about family values, good husbandry, the uses of the natural world, and self-reliance. It’s fun to think of the long-ago author reading his own books of natural history and creating this novel to share his interests with his boys. (summary by Kara)
By LibriVox
Kara's Free AudiobooksJoin Now to Follow
A podcast of public-domain audio books for kids, read by Kara Shallenberg. New chapters will appear on Mondays. We've finished The Road to Oz, A Little Princess, The Secret Garden, Heidi, Our Island Story, an anthology of poetry for children, a children's history of the Middle Ages, More William, This Country of Ours Part 1, Helen's Babies, and The Book of Art for Young People, and When Mother Lets Us Cook. Next we had The Adventures of Sally, by P. G. Wodehouse and then The Story of Mankind -- an excellent history book for kids, read as a duet with my friend Michelle Crandall, and then one of my all-time favorite books in the whole wide world: The Swiss Family Robinson. Then we had Part 2 of "This Country of Ours", Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Part 3 of "This Country of Ours", and then "Through the Looking-Glass". Oh, and then the rest of Part 3 of This Country of Ours... which I somehow forgot to post earlier :) Next is Grammar-Land, which I just LOVED recording! Enjoy! Send questions and comments to kara@nyip.net. All of my recorded books can be found at http://kayray.org/my-recordings/
By Kara Shallenberg
"Heart of Darkness" Audiobook (Audio book)Join Now to Follow
"Heart of Darkness" was first published in 1902. In this novella, Joseph Conrad explores morality and human nature. This audiobook is performed by David Kirkwood and narrated by Tom Franks and co-produced by LoudLit.org and LiteralSystems. Each episode is approximately 20-30 minutes in length. The text is available under the "Lyrics" tag. Text provided at Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org). This recording was made possible by the generous support of Gordon W. Draper. Also available via podcast from LiteralSystems and LoudLit.org: "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens, "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain.
By Joesph Conrad performed by David Kirkwood and narrated by Tom Franks
FT Arts Join Now to Follow
Each week the arts podcast brings you interviews and studio discussions on the latest arts stories and cultural trends, with contributions from the FT’s roster of critics and commentators. You can find more <a href="http://www.ft.com/arts">arts news and reviews from the Financial Times</a> on our website and listen to more episodes of FT Arts on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ft-arts/id402479253?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4">iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/financial-times/ft-arts?refid=stpr">Stitcher</a>, <a href="http://audioboom.com/FTarts">Audioboom</a> or <a href="https://soundcloud.com/ft-arts">Soundcloud</a>.
By FT arts
Librivox: North and South by Gaskell, Elizabeth CleghornJoin Now to Follow
Set in Victorian England, North and South is the story of Margaret Hale, a young woman whose life is turned upside down when her family relocates to northern England. As an outsider from the agricultural south, Margaret is initially shocked by the aggressive northerners of the dirty, smoky industrial town of Milton. But as she adapts to her new home, she defies social conventions with her ready sympathy and defense of the working poor. Her passionate advocacy leads her to repeatedly clash with charismatic mill owner John Thornton over his treatment of his workers. While Margaret denies her growing attraction to him, Thornton agonizes over his foolish passion for her, in spite of their heated disagreements. As tensions mount between them, a violent unionization strike explodes in Milton, leaving everyone to deal with the aftermath in the town and in their personal lives. Elizabeth Gaskell serialized North and South between September 1854 and January 1855 in Charles Dickens’s magazine Household Words . Upon its publication, Gaskell established herself as a novelist capable of serious discourse on social responsibility and advocacy for change in defiance of established authority. (Summary by Dani)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Dracula by Stoker, BramJoin Now to Follow
The classic vampire story by Bram Stoker revolves around a struggle between good and evil, tradition and modernity, and lust versus chastity. The author didn’t invent vampires, but his novel has so captured the public’s imagination that he is rightly considered their popularizer. Listen and you will meet not only the Count himself, but heroes Jonathan Harker and Abraham Van Helsing, plus an array of madmen, psychiatrists, and fair maidens who cross paths with the fanged menace. (Summary by Paula)
By LibriVox
Professor Brian Cox: Meet the AuthorJoin Now to Follow
Professor Brian Cox, OBE, the presenter of the hugely popular BBC2 series Wonders of the Solar System, appeared at the Apple Store in Covent Garden on 17th November 2010 to talk about his book, which accompanied the series. Professor Cox was interviewed with BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Shaun Keaveny.
By Apple Inc.
BookclubJoin Now to Follow
James Naughtie and readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best known novels. Authors include: Douglas Adams, Alan Bennett, Alice Sebold and Maya Angelou.
By BBC Radio 4
Librivox: Short Mystery Story Collection 001 by VariousJoin Now to Follow
Librivox’s Short Mystery Story Collection 001: a collection of 10 short works of mysterious fiction in the public domain read by a group of LibriVox members.
By LibriVox
