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Ep. 669, Leave it to Psmith, part 1of10, by P.G. Wodehouse

The Classic Tales Podcast

Release Date: 03/06/2020

Ep. 924, The Machine Stops, by E.M. Forster VINTAGE show art Ep. 924, The Machine Stops, by E.M. Forster VINTAGE

The Classic Tales Podcast

The earth's surface is no longer habitable, and all humanity is sequestered beneath the ground, couched in isolation and contentment. The Machine provides the needs of humanity. But what happens when the Machine stops?  E.M. Forster, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to this Vintage Episode of The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  A Vintage Episode is released every Tuesday. Please help us to continue producing amazing audiobooks by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday.  Keep an ear open for our...

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Ep. 923, A Voyage to Lilliput, Part 3 of 3, from Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift show art Ep. 923, A Voyage to Lilliput, Part 3 of 3, from Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift

The Classic Tales Podcast

With capital punishment in the offing, how can Gulliver escape the land of Lilliput?  Jonathan Swift, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Machine Stops”, by E.M. Forster. Be sure to check out this science fiction classic on Tuesday. If you enjoy the show, please become a monthly supporter, and help us continue to highlight these amazing stories.  Please go to and become a monthly supporter for as little as $5 a month. As a thank you gesture, we’ll send you a...

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Ep. 922, Leave It to Jeeves, by P.G. WodehouseVINTAGE show art Ep. 922, Leave It to Jeeves, by P.G. WodehouseVINTAGE

The Classic Tales Podcast

Can the artistic Corky court his bird-loving uncle to continue supporting him? Maybe Jeeves can help. P.G. Wodehouse, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to this Vintage Episode of The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  A Vintage Episode is released every Tuesday. Please help us to continue producing amazing audiobooks by going to , and becoming a supporter. Part 3 of Gulliver’s Travels coming your way on Friday.  Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the sixth novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’re getting ready with...

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Ep. 921, A Voyage to Lilliput, Part 2 of 3, from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift show art Ep. 921, A Voyage to Lilliput, Part 2 of 3, from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

The Classic Tales Podcast

How can Gulliver stop a war without any bloodshed? Jonathan Swift, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  The Vintage Episode for the week is “Leave It To Jeeves”, by P.G. Wodehouse. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday.  If you enjoy the show, please become a monthly supporter, and help us continue to highlight these amazing stories. Please go to and become a monthly supporter for as little as $5 a month. As a thank you gesture, we’ll send you a coupon code every month for $8 off any audiobook order. Give...

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Ep. 920, The Yellow Wallpaper VINTAGE, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman show art Ep. 920, The Yellow Wallpaper VINTAGE, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

The Classic Tales Podcast

What does our nervous heroine see in the yellow wallpaper, that no one else can?  Charlotte Perkins Gilman, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to this Vintage Episode of The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  A Vintage Episode is released every Tuesday. Please help us to continue producing amazing audiobooks by going to , and becoming a supporter. New content is still coming your way on Fridays.  Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the sixth novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’re getting ready with boxed sets,...

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Ep. 919, A Voyage to Lilliput, Part 1 of 3, from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift show art Ep. 919, A Voyage to Lilliput, Part 1 of 3, from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

The Classic Tales Podcast

How can Lemuel Gulliver escape from the Lilliputians? They’re only six inches tall – should be a cinch, right? Jonathan Swift, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Yellow Wallpaper”, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday.  If you enjoy the show, please become a monthly supporter, and help us continue to highlight these amazing stories.  Please go to and become a monthly supporter for as little as $5 a month. As a thank you gesture,...

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Ep. 918, Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, and A Horseman in the Sky, by Ambrose BierceVINTAGE show art Ep. 918, Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, and A Horseman in the Sky, by Ambrose BierceVINTAGE

The Classic Tales Podcast

What knavery occurred during the Civil War at Owl Creek Bridge? Ambrose Bierce, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to this Vintage Episode of The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  A Vintage Episode is released every Tuesday. Please help us to continue producing amazing audiobooks by going to , and becoming a supporter. New content is still coming your way on Fridays.  Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the sixth novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’re getting ready with boxed sets, special editions, and more! We’ll...

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Ep. 917, Green Tea, by Sheridan LeFanu show art Ep. 917, Green Tea, by Sheridan LeFanu

The Classic Tales Podcast

Why is Reverend Jennings so distracted when he gives his sermons? Is it just because he’s partial to green tea? Sheridan LeFanu, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  The Vintage Episode for the week is “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, and A Horseman in the Sky”, two stories from Ambrose Bierce. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday.  If you enjoy the show, please become a monthly supporter, and help us continue to highlight these amazing stories.  Please go to and become a monthly supporter for as...

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Ep. 916, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, from The Arabian NightsVINTAGE show art Ep. 916, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, from The Arabian NightsVINTAGE

The Classic Tales Podcast

Can Ali Baba discover the secret words that open the den of the forty thieves? The Arabian Nights, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to this Vintage Episode of The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  A Vintage Episode is released every Tuesday. Please help us to continue producing amazing audiobooks by going to , and becoming a supporter. New content is still coming your way on Fridays.  Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the sixth novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’re getting ready with boxed sets, special editions,...

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Ep. 915, The Prussian Officer, by D.H. Lawrence show art Ep. 915, The Prussian Officer, by D.H. Lawrence

The Classic Tales Podcast

Why does the Prussian officer pick on his orderly so much? Seriously, what’s eating the guy? D.H. Lawrence, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  The Vintage Episode for the week is “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”, from the Arabian Nights. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday.  If you enjoy the show, please become a monthly supporter, and help us continue to highlight these amazing stories.  Please go to and become a monthly supporter for as little as $5 a month. As a thank you gesture, we’ll send you...

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How could Freddy Threepwood possibly raise £3,000 to help a dear relative? P.G. Wodehouse, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

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Today’s story is by P.G. Wodehouse, and begins the novel Leave it to Psmith (the ‘P’ is silent): part 2 of the Blandings Castle series. The first in the series was Something New, where we met Lord Emsworth, Freddy Threepwood, Beach, Baxter and many others. I’ve tried to keep the character voices consistent with Something New, which we did back in 2014.

A note on the title: Wodehouse has placed the letter “P” in front of the name “Smith”, for reasons which will be explained later on. In the audiobook format, you don’t see that, and miss out on the joke.

And so, rather than try to enunciate “Psmith”, for the audiobook version, I’ll add the term: “The ‘P’ is silent” when it seems appropriate. This is simply to try to convey in audio form, the joke that those who are reading visually get to enjoy.

And now, Leave it to Psmith, part 1 of 10, by P.G. Wodehouse.