The Classic Tales Podcast
Designed to make classic literature less intimidating, The Classic Tales Podcast has been showcasing the greatest literary authors for years. Narrating with gusto, BJ Harrison performs each word of the classic texts, elevating them with character voices, sharp accents and bridled emotion. Adventure, Mystery, Horror, Humor and more - The Classic Tales Podcast has something for everybody. It really is The Cure for the Common Commute. Winner - Outstanding Podcast Host: Arts and Entertainment , Society of Voice Arts and Sciences- 2022 Winner of w3 Silver Award by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts-2022 Winner of w3 Gold Award by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts-2021 Winner of Independent Audiobook Award for "Scaramouche", by Raphael Sabatini - 2021
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Ep. 951, For They Know Not What They Do, by Wilbur Daniel Steele
07/26/2024
Ep. 951, For They Know Not What They Do, by Wilbur Daniel Steele
Mental illness runs keep in the Kain family, as do the family secrets. Why does Christopher’s mother leave when he’s finally home from school? Wilbur Daniel Steele, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Battle of the Witchdoctors”, by H. Rider Haggard. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. Please go to and become a monthly supporter today. Classic Tales for Children: Volume 1 is now available. It includes the new recording of Pollyanna, bundled together with Winnie-the-Pooh, The Wind in the Willows, and Alice in Wonderland. I thought of titles that would really go well together, so I pulled out all the stops. This anthology is perfect to listen to again and again. You can pick it up at classictalesaudiobooks.com by following the link in the show notes. https://store.classictalesaudiobooks.com/classic-tales-for-children-volume-1-p366.aspx The O. Henry Memorial Prize nominees and winners series continues this week with a first-rate story by Wilbur Daniel Steele. Tackling the theme of mental illness in 1919 was a novel concept. Mental illness was and still is vastly misunderstood. The way this story was crafted really stood out to me, and I tried to modulate my pitch and pacing to reflect the sometimes-volatile narration. I hope the effect carries through. And now, “For They Know Now What They Do”, by Wilbur Daniel Steele.
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Ep. 950, The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells VINTAGE
07/23/2024
Ep. 950, The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells VINTAGE
How true is the saying, “In the Country of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is King”? H.G. Wells, 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. If you have found value in the show, please help us to help more people like you by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. We have a new title available – . This boxed set includes Pollyanna, The Wind in the Willows, and Alice in Wonderland. Hop on over to the website, and pick up your copy today. And now, The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells.
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Ep. 949, Nice Neighbors, by Mary Stanbery Watts
07/19/2024
Ep. 949, Nice Neighbors, by Mary Stanbery Watts
When the kids next door cross a line, Mrs. Shields can’t help but speak up about it. She knows it will set the gossip machine in motion, but right is right – isn’t it? Mary Stanbery Watts, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Country of the Blind”, by H.G. Wells. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. Please go to and become a monthly supporter today. Have you ever read Pollyanna, by Eleanor H. Porter? Well, you should. Everybody should. With the way things have gotten so dark lately, I figured I just needed a shot of something bright and cheerful, and reading Pollyanna was just what the doctor ordered. So, I recorded it. I’ll be releasing it as a boxed set, along with Winnie-the-Pooh, The Wind in the Willows and Alice in Wonderland. Keep an eye on your in box, and I’ll send the product link as soon as it’s available this week. You can preorder it now, by following this link: Mary Stanbery Watts was a rather prolific writer at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. She wrote many stories for McClures, and novels for MacMillan, several set during the Spanish-American war. Today’s story, “Nice Neighbors”, she wrote near the end of her writing career, in 1923. Just a heads up – this story does deal with violence toward animals. And now, “Nice Neighbors”, by Mary Stanbery Watts.
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Ep. 948, The Blue Hotel, by Stephen Crane VINTAGE
07/16/2024
Ep. 948, The Blue Hotel, by Stephen Crane VINTAGE
Why does a stay at the Palace Hotel mean trouble? Stephen Crane, 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. If you have found value in the show, please help us to help more people like you by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. Please donate to the Kickstarter project to fund the audiobook production of . It’s a prequel to her epic fantasy series, Valiant. In Immortal, the protagonist travels through different times without the ability to die. It’s very well-written, and I’m sure you’ll love it. Once we raise the funds, Joanna has hired me to produce the audiobook! I’ll send out a newsletter with a link to the project once we’re ready to launch. Thanks for pitching in! Stephen Crane is mostly known for his seminal novel: The Red Badge of Courage, and also for his short story, “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky”. While today’s story is seemingly simple, there are several complex themes underpinning the story. Also, the story breaks the stylistic norms of the period, venturing toward the realm of Expressionism. And now, The Blue Hotel, by Stephen Crane.
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Ep. 947, England to America, by Margaret Prescott Montague
07/12/2024
Ep. 947, England to America, by Margaret Prescott Montague
Do the English just not like Americans? Seriously, why won’t Chev’s family warm up to Skip? Margaret Prescott Montague, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Blue Hotel”, by Stephen Crane. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. Please go to and become a monthly supporter today. Also, please follow the link in the show notes to support a Kickstarter campaign to fund the audiobook Immortal, by Joanna White: It’s a prequel to her epic fantasy series, Valiant. In Immortal, the protagonist travels through different times without the ability to die. It’s very well-written, and I’m sure you’ll love it. Once we raise the funds, Joanna has hired me to produce the audiobook! I’ll send out a newsletter with a link to the project once we’re ready to launch. Thanks for pitching in! Today’s story won the O. Henry Memorial Award in 1919. World War I had just ended, and there were many military stories written at the time, as most everyone in the world had some connection to the war. Margaret Prescott Montague was a short story writer and novelist. Four of her stories were made into films in the 1920s. Winning the O. Henry Memorial Award is the most prestigious of her accomplishments. She lived from 1878 – 1955. From the introduction to the O. Henry Memorial Award volume: “…the young Virginian of "England to America" will bring back, to all who read, their own heroes. It is fitting that Miss Montague's story should have received the first prize: poignant, short in words, great in significance, it will stand a minor climactic peak in that chain of literature produced during the actual progress of the World War.” It is interesting to look back on this story over a hundred years later, and see how it fared. I think it’s safe to say that most people have never heard of the story, or its author, which is a shame. Let’s give it a go. And now, “England to America”, by Margaret Prescott Montague.
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Ep. 946, Paul's Case, by Willa Cather VINTAGE
07/09/2024
Ep. 946, Paul's Case, by Willa Cather VINTAGE
Why does Paul feel like he just doesn’t fit in with this world? What will “not fitting in” do to him? Willa Cather, 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. If you have found value in the show, please help us to help more people like you by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. Two boxed sets are now available. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. In today’s story, Paul just doesn’t fit in. Cather layers on the different woes that Paul has to deal with. He uses art as an escape from reality. He also has had issues with his home life, etc. The author gently layers on the struggles of a character so effectively. By the end, we fully understand his motivations, which as it turns out, is heartbreaking. And now, Paul’s Case, by Willa Cather.
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Ep. 945, The One Hundred Dollar Bill, by Booth Tarkington
07/05/2024
Ep. 945, The One Hundred Dollar Bill, by Booth Tarkington
Is money the root of all evil? Or does it change happiness to despair simply by existing? Booth Tarkington, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “Paul’s Case”, by Willa Cather. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. 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 more, and you get more! Thanks for helping us out. Go to and become a supporter today. This summer we are showcasing short stories that have been nominated for the O. Henry Memorial Award from 1919-1923. Booth Tarkington won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction twice. Once in 1919 for his novel The Magnificent Ambersons, and also in 1923 for Alice Adams. He was well-known and prolific, penning many best-selling novels including Penrod and Seventeen. He was also an illustrator, playwright and politician, serving one term in 1905 in the Indiana House of Representatives. In the 1910s and 1920s, Tarkington was regarded as “the most important and lasting writer in his generation”. By the end of the 20th Century, however, he had been completely ignored by academia, and in 2019 he was described by Robert Gottlieb as “America’s most distinguished hack”. Apparently, Tarkington’s penchant for glorifying the past, going beyond typical nostalgia, rubbed the modern academicians the wrong way. I think it might be time we give him another chance. And now, “The One Hundred Dollar Bill”, by Booth Tarkington.
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Ep. 944, The Minister's Black Veil, by Nathaniel HawthorneVINTAGE
07/02/2024
Ep. 944, The Minister's Black Veil, by Nathaniel HawthorneVINTAGE
Why does the Reverend Mr. Hooper mysteriously don a black veil and never take if off in public? Nathaniel Hawthorne, 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. If you have found value in the show, please help us to help more people like you by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. Two boxed sets are now available. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. Dealing with the concepts of sin, repentance and morality, and set in Puritan New England, the veil in today’s story is a critique of the Puritan’s concept of original sin. The acrimonious reaction of the townspeople to the minister’s behavior easily lends itself to exploring these concepts. I hope you like it. And now, The Minister’s Black Veil, by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
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Ep. 943, A Friend of Napoleon, by Richard Connell
06/28/2024
Ep. 943, A Friend of Napoleon, by Richard Connell
Papa Chibou loves his job as night watchman at the wax museum. But how will he cope when the museum has to close? Richard Connell, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Minister’s Black Veil”, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. 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 more, and you get more! Thanks for helping us out. Go to and become a supporter today. We are going to have a short story summer. Through the summer, we’ll be showcasing the best short stories from 1919 to 1923. Today’s story was written by Richard Connell. You may recognize him from his famous story, The Most Dangerous Game. Connell was one of the most popular short story writers of his time. He went on to have similar luck as a screenwriter, being nominated for an Academy Award in 1942 for his script, Meet John Doe, based on his short story, “A Reputation”. And now, “A Friend of Napoleon”, by Richard Connell.
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Ep. 942, The Kiss, by Anton Chekhov VINTAGE
06/25/2024
Ep. 942, The Kiss, by Anton Chekhov VINTAGE
After sampling a taste of the divine, will Ryabovich ever experience it again? Anton Chekhov, 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. If you have found value in the show, please help us to help more people like you by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. Two boxed sets are now available. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. In today’s story, a kiss is used as a microscope to examine the frailty of hope. Chekhov creates an entire world around the kiss, blurring many lines of social and societal privilege and power. I hope you like it. And now, The Kiss, by Anton Chekhov.
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Ep. 941, Prelude, by Edgar Valentine Smith
06/21/2024
Ep. 941, Prelude, by Edgar Valentine Smith
Can Selina Jo ever figure out a way to get out of her backwoods life? Edgar Valentine Smith, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Kiss”, by Anton Chekhov. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. 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 more, and you get more! Thanks for helping us out. Go to and become a supporter today. Today’s story won the O. Henry Memorial Award in 1923, but it was written by a relatively unknown writer. Edgar Valentine Smith sold two stories to Harper’s Magazine in his brief career as a writer – Prelude and ‘Lijah. Not much more is readily available about him. There are many things notable about today’s story. The craft of the story is very elegant. We are effortlessly drawn into the descriptions of the heroine’s early life. We sympathize with her so much, in her efforts to improve herself. Interesting how the “big break” is crafted. I hope you like it. Just a heads up – the “n” word is used a couple of times. And now, Prelude, by Edgar Valentine Smith.
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Ep. 940, A Scandal in Bohemia, by Arthur Conan Doyle VINTAGE
06/18/2024
Ep. 940, A Scandal in Bohemia, by Arthur Conan Doyle VINTAGE
Can Sherlock Holmes discover a way to save the honor of the masked stranger in his chambers? Arthur Conan Doyle, 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. If you have found value in the show, please help us to help more people like you by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. Two boxed sets are now available. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. Sherlock Holmes is a confirmed bachelor, with some touches of misogyny that creep up every now and then. But when he locks horns with Irene Adler, his opinion of women goes through the roof with respect. There’s actually a fun book series for kids called Sherlock, Lupin and Me, written by an author that goes by the pseudonym of Irene Adler. It traces the adventures of three young detectives who haven’t hit the big time yet. It’s a lot of fun. And now, A Scandal in Bohemia, by Arthur Conan Doyle
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Ep. 939, Leave It to Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse
06/14/2024
Ep. 939, Leave It to Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse
Can Jeeves scheme up a way for Corky’s uncle to approve of Corky’s fiancée? P.G. Wodehouse, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “A Scandal in Bohemia”, by Arthur Conan Doyle. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. 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 more, and you get more! Thanks for helping us out. Go to and become a supporter today. Today’s story is the final story in the series of P.G. Wodehouse short stories found in the volume My Man Jeeves. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m recording anew all the stories in this volume. Some we’ve heard before, and some we haven’t. So while today’s story has shown up before, I hope you won’t mind it again. And now, Leave It to Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse.
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Ep. 938, The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg, by Mark Twain VINTAGE
06/11/2024
Ep. 938, The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg, by Mark Twain VINTAGE
When an offended stranger seeks to corrupt the town, will the good citizens of Hadleyburg stand up to the test? Mark Twain, 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. If you have found value in the show, please help us to help more people like you by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. Some consider today’s story a replay of the Garden of Eden story. Twain was very interested in pointing out the vulnerability of folks who overtly professed piety and purity. Whether it’s Pudd’nhead Wilson, Huckleberry Finn, or The Prince and the Pauper, oftentimes reading Twain leads to introspection, and a reinvestigation of things we may have taken for granted. Of course, he leads you to this personal place with his razor wit and wisdom. I hope you like our journey to Hadleyburg. And now, The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg, by Mark Twain
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Ep. 937, Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest, by P.G. Wodehouse
06/07/2024
Ep. 937, Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest, by P.G. Wodehouse
Will Jeeves rally round when the goggle-eyed Wilmot is foisted on Berty? P.G. Wodehouse, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg”, by Mark Twain. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. 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 more, and you get more! Thanks for helping us out. Go to and become a supporter today. Today’s story is another in the series of P.G. Wodehouse short stories found in the volume My Man Jeeves. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m recording anew all the stories in this volume. Some we’ve heard before, and some we haven’t. So while today’s story has shown up before, I hope you won’t mind it again, recorded 15 years later. And now, Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest, by P.G. Wodehouse. Follow this link to become a monthly supporter:
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Ep. 936, Ligeia, by Edgar Allan Poe VINTAGE
06/04/2024
Ep. 936, Ligeia, by Edgar Allan Poe VINTAGE
When the brilliant, raven-haired beauty Ligeia falls ill, will her genius be enough to help her recover? Edgar Allan Poe, 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. If the show has helped you find comfort, peace, or a quiet place to mentally rest, please help us to help more people like you by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. Playwright and critic George Bernard Shaw said of today’s story, “The story of the Lady Ligeia is not merely one of the wonders of literature: it is unparalleled and unapproached”. I hope you like it. And now, Ligeia, by Edgar Allan Poe
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Ep. 935, Jeeves and the Hard-Boiled Egg, by P.G. Wodehouse
05/31/2024
Ep. 935, Jeeves and the Hard-Boiled Egg, by P.G. Wodehouse
How can Jeeves help wrangle Bicky’s uncle – the hard-boiled egg? P.G. Wodehouse, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “Ligeia”, by Edgar Allan Poe. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If the show has helped alleviate your stress, if it’s given you comfort, or if you’ve been able to discover authors and stories you might have missed on your own, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. 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 more, and you get more! Thanks for helping us out. Go to and become a supporter today. Today’s story is another in the series of P.G. Wodehouse short stories found in the volume My Man Jeeves. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m recording anew all the stories in this volume. Some we’ve heard before, and some we haven’t. So while today’s story showed up as a vintage episode a few weeks back, I hope you won’t mind it again, recorded 15 years later. And now, Jeeves and the Hard-Boiled Egg, by P.G. Wodehouse
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Ep. 934, A Slip Under the Microscope, by H.G. Wells VINTAGE
05/28/2024
Ep. 934, A Slip Under the Microscope, by H.G. Wells VINTAGE
Hill makes a mistake in his critical biology exam. Should he fess up and take the consequences, or keep his secret forever? H.G. Wells, 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. If the show has helped you find comfort, peace, or a quiet place to mentally rest, please help us to help more people like you by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. And now, A Slip Under the Microscope, by H.G. Wells
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Ep. 933, Helping Freddie, by P.G. Wodehouse
05/24/2024
Ep. 933, Helping Freddie, by P.G. Wodehouse
A seaside excursion is just the thing to mend a broken heart. Unless the lady in question is vacationing there, too. How can Freddie’s friends lend a hand? P.G. Wodehouse, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “A Slip Under the Microscope”, by H.G. Wells. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If the show has helped alleviate your stress, if it’s given you comfort, or if you’ve been able to discover beloved authors and stories you might have missed on your own, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. 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 more, and you get more! Thanks for helping us out. Go to and become a supporter today. And now, Helping Freddie, by P.G. Wodehouse.
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Ep. 932, Bartleby, the Scrivener, by Herman Melville VINTAGE
05/21/2024
Ep. 932, Bartleby, the Scrivener, by Herman Melville VINTAGE
The life of a scrivener is an existence resigned to the handwritten copying of law documents. One day something clicks in Bartleby, and his simple reply to everything is: “I prefer not to.” Herman Melville, 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. If the show has helped you find comfort, peace, or a quiet place to mentally rest, please help us to help more people like you by going to , and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. Today’s story was published anonymously in 1853. Melville was in a bit of financial straits at the time, since his last two novels, Moby Dick and Pierre, didn’t sell well at all. Melville's major source of inspiration for the story was an advertisement for a new book, The Lawyer's Story, by James A. Maitland. This advertisement included the complete first chapter, which started: "In the summer of 1843, having an extraordinary quantity of deeds to copy, I engaged, temporarily, an extra copying clerk, who interested me considerably, in consequence of his modest, quiet, gentlemanly demeanor, and his intense application to his duties." Melville biographer said nothing else in the chapter besides this "remarkably evocative sentence" was notable. It's never directly addressed why Bartleby acts the way he does, and the author has left it open to interpretation. Many critics posit that his behavior is due to depression. And now, Bartleby, the Scrivener, by Herman Melville
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Ep. 931, The Aunt and the Sluggard, by P.G. Wodehouse
05/17/2024
Ep. 931, The Aunt and the Sluggard, by P.G. Wodehouse
Rocky’s formidable aunt wants to experience New York through her nephew. But Rocky hates New York. Maybe Jeeves can help. P.G. Wodehouse, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “Bartleby, the Scrivener”, by Herman Melville. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If the show has helped alleviate your stress, if it’s given your comfort, or if you’ve be able to discover beloved authors and stories you might have missed on your own, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. 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 more, and you get more! Thanks for helping us out. Go to and become a supporter today. And now, The Aunt and the Sluggard, by P.G. Wodehouse.
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Ep. 930, The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde VINTAGE
05/14/2024
Ep. 930, The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde VINTAGE
These Americans. No respect for permanent bloodstains, rattling chains nor ancient legends. It’s like they don’t even believe in ghosts! Oscar Wilde, 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 Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. Today’s story is the first of Wilde’s stories to be published, in The Court and Society Review in 1887. It’s been adapted many times for stage and screen. I hope you like it. And now, The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde
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Ep. 929, Doing Clarence a Bit of Good, by P.G. Wodehouse
05/10/2024
Ep. 929, Doing Clarence a Bit of Good, by P.G. Wodehouse
It is a fact universally known that the contract of “I’ll do absolutely anything for you” becomes null and void once the one professing undying devotion is shamelessly jilted. Or at least, one would suppose... P.G. Wodehouse, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Canterville Ghost”, by Oscar Wilde. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. If you’ve found a special value in this show, please become a monthly supporter, and help us to continue discovering and producing these enchanting 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 more, and you get more! Thanks for pitching in. Go to and become a supporter today. Today’s story is another in the series of P.G. Wodehouse short stories found in the volume My Man Jeeves. Reggie is at it again. I hope you like it. And now, Doing Clarence a Bit of Good, by P.G. Wodehouse.
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Ep. 928, Bernice Bobs Her Hair, by F. Scott Fitzgerald VINTAGE
05/07/2024
Ep. 928, Bernice Bobs Her Hair, by F. Scott Fitzgerald VINTAGE
To what lengths will Bernice go to fit in with her cousin’s friends? F. Scott Fitzgerald, 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 Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’re getting ready with boxed sets, special editions, and more! We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. Today’s story first appeared in The Saturday Evening Post in May 1920, and was the first short story to bring national acclaim to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Julie Harris starred in a CBS TV adaptation in 1951, and Shelly Duvall headlined a PBS adaptation in 1976. And now, Bernice Bobs Her Hair, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
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Ep. 927, Rallying Round Old George, by P.G. Wodehouse
05/03/2024
Ep. 927, Rallying Round Old George, by P.G. Wodehouse
Monte Carlo is the worst/best place to go on a bender. Until you wake up in a park and make the news the next day…. P.G. Wodehouse, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “Bernice Bobs Her Hair”, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 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 more, and you get more! It’s a great way to help us keep producing sparkling audiobook content. Go to and become a supporter today. Today’s story is the another in a series of P.G. Wodehouse short stories found in the volume My Man Jeeves. Reggie is very similar to Bertie, but Reggie’s valet is very different, as you’ll discover. I hope you like it. And now, Rallying Round Old George, by P.G. Wodehouse.
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Ep. 926, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, by Rudyard Kipling VINTAGE
04/30/2024
Ep. 926, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, by Rudyard Kipling VINTAGE
Can Rikki-Tikki-Tavi protect his family from the deadly cobras of India? Rudyard Kipling, 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 Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’re getting ready with boxed sets, special editions, and more! We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. Today’s story is from The Jungle Book, a collection of stories by Rudyard Kipling. First published in 1894. I hope you like it. And now, Rikki Tikki Tavi, by Rudyard Kipling
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Ep. 925, Absent Treatment, by P.G. Wodehouse
04/26/2024
Ep. 925, Absent Treatment, by P.G. Wodehouse
Bobbie Cardew can’t remember anything – ever. Can Reggie rescue him from his household woes? P.G. Wodehouse, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. The Vintage Episode for the week is “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi”, by Rudyard Kipling. 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 more, and you get more! It’s a great way to help us keep producing sparkling audiobook content. Go to and become a supporter today. Abraham Lincoln famously said, “If you give me six hours to chop down a tree, I’ll spend the first four sharpening the axe”. That’s the philosophy I’m taking with our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle. I’ve got the artwork done for the four boxed sets, and they’ll be creeping into the store soon. You can pick them up early, or get them all as a package deal when we launch the Kickstarter. Keep an ear open for the latest developments! Today’s story is the first of a series of P.G. Wodehouse short stories found in the volume My Man Jeeves. It contains three Jeeves stories, and several others that are in the similar vein, but with different characters. A young Wodehouse was still feeling out his characters at this point, working out the kinks, and polishing his style. I hope you like them. And now, Absent Treatment, by P.G. Wodehouse.
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Ep. 924, The Machine Stops, by E.M. Forster VINTAGE
04/23/2024
Ep. 924, The Machine Stops, by E.M. Forster VINTAGE
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 Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. We’re getting ready with boxed sets, special editions, and more! We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. E.M. Forster, largely known for his novels such as A Room with a View, Howard’s End, and A Passage to India, also delved in the realm of science fiction, and he was no slouch. Today’s story is often heralded as one of the greatest science fiction stories of all time, and was included in the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume 2. Versions of this story have often made their way into film, including George Lucas’ THX 1138 and the original Logan’s Run film from 1967 bear similarities to it. Even the Pixar film Wall-E depicts a future where the world in uninhabitable, and humanity is dependent upon machines for survival. And now, The Machine Stops, by E.M. Forster.
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Ep. 923, A Voyage to Lilliput, Part 3 of 3, from Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift
04/19/2024
Ep. 923, A Voyage to Lilliput, Part 3 of 3, from Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift
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 coupon code every month for $8 off any audiobook order. Give more, and you get more! It’s a great way to help us keep producing sparkling audiobook content. Go to and become a supporter today. And now, A Voyage to Lilliput, part 3 of 3, from Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift.
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Ep. 922, Leave It to Jeeves, by P.G. WodehouseVINTAGE
04/16/2024
Ep. 922, Leave It to Jeeves, by P.G. WodehouseVINTAGE
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 boxed sets, special editions, and more! We’ll let you know when we’re ready to pull the trigger. And now, Leave It to Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse.
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