Showing results by narrator "B J Harrison" in All Categories

The first season focuses on the short story tradition, and B. J. Harrison has selected some of the most prominent representatives of the genre. As far as the thematic aspect is concerned, the stories cover crime and mystery episodes like Arthur Conan Doyle’s "The Speckled Band", or revenge-driven ones like Shakespeare’s "Hamlet". There are also supernatural and horror classics such as Hawthorne’s "The Devil and Tom Walker" and W. W. Jacobs’ masterpiece "The Monkey’s Paw".

"The Man from Snowy River and Other Poems" is one of the best known collections of poems by Banjo Paterson and was published first in 1895. It includes 48 poems which are described by Rolf Boldrewood as "the best bush ballads". From horseback pursuits, through romantic views of rural life, and humorous incidents with a drover of sheep, "The Man from Snowy River and Other Poems" will give you the possibility to immerse yourself into Australia’s nature and feel its different and colorful sides.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is one of Victor Hugo most popular historical novels. It follows the story of the young Quasimodo, a hunchback who lives the solitary life of an outcast in the bell tower of Notre-Dame in Paris. When his path crosses that of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, his little world is turned upside down. Quasimodo’s guardian, the Archdeacon Frollo, becomes equally obsessed with Esmeralda and tries to convince Quasimodo to kidnap her.

An impoverished Oxford scholar decides to quit his studies and joins a group of gipsies. He absorbs their customs, trades and traditional way of learning. He learns that wisdom is not only to be found in schools and universities. It is among us and it is up to us to open our eyes to it. Matthew Arnold’s "The Scholar Gipsy" reminds us of this. B. J. Harrison started his Classic Tales Podcast back in 2007, wanting to breathe new life into classic stories.

Mrs. Peerybingle is bright and sharp as a tack. Her husband John is a carrier, a profession as lumbering and sturdy as he is himself. When the crafty Tackleton seeks to cause mischief to forward his own nefarious plans, John’s steady heart is sorely wounded. Luckily there is a cricket on the hearth to act as a guardian angel for all of them. A huge commercial success when it was first published in 1845, this Christmas fantasy is a lovely portrait of Victorian life.

Marlowe tells a tale of his youth before he ventured into the heart of darkness. After several false starts, he signs as second officer on a trading ship to Bangkok. Before their final disembarkation, he discovers that all the rats are abandoning ship before they had even left the dockyard. It isn't until Marlowe and his crew are halfway to Singapore that they discover the horror the rats have left behind.

Dr. John Watson and Sherlock Holmes meet and set up their lodgings at 221B Baker St. Over the course of several weeks, the good doctor finally persuades his mysterious roommate to reveal what exactly is his occupation. It seems that Sherlock Holmes is a self-proclaimed consulting detective. And as incredible as it sounds, the facts prove it to be true. A Study in Scarlet is the first Sherlock Holmes story/novella. Also included is the Edgar Allan Poe story: "The Murders in the Rue Morgue".

Pride, justice, and vengeance. Aristocracy and democracy vie for ultimate power over Rome, and each faction violently erupts when Coriolanus takes the political stage. After receiving glorious accolades for taking an enemy city when the plebian soldiers cowered without the gates, the common people find his arrogance and pride offensive. Now, banished from the very city for which he was prepared to lay down his life, he strikes up an unholy alliance with his country's enemies.

Wuthering Heights follows the tumultuous lives of Catherine and Heathcliff, two young playmates who become soul mates. While Catherine's wild childish capriciousness develops, Heathcliff "exemplifies the effects which a life of continued injustice and hard usage may produce on a naturally perverse, vindictive, and inexorable disposition".

Aaron Okonkwo, a Nigerian scientist, travels with a crew in the 24th century to evaluate Viridis, which proves to be a beautiful and fabulous world. There, Aaron discovers a strange, alien species and amazing machines and technology left in a vast underground complex by a mysterious race called the Creators. Aaron soon falls under the irresistible, seductive spell of Nightsong, a green alien female with ominous and bewitching powers. However, an even greater danger rises.

In the first tale, we follow two workmen on an intriguing journey to Coney Island, where the heartsick and disgruntled Tobin has his palm read. Who knew that palmistry could be so unpredictable? Secondly, a tale of kidnapping gone awry. A little boy, self proclaimed "Red Chief", is taken from his home, and has so much fun he never wants to go back, much to the chagrin of the kidnappers.

Adam had a fine life. He had all the food he wanted, a fine garden to live in, and miles and miles of peace and quiet. Until one day, a woman entered his life. And amongst her other garrulous qualities, she says that his beautiful garden doesn't really look like a garden at all. She thinks it looks more like a park.

A vicious tempest is raging on a New England mountainside. A young traveler sojourns through the sea of wind and snow, finding refuge in a cottage, cozily nestled in the notch of a hill. The traveler burns with a determination to make his name known to the world. But that will all have to wait until the storm subsides.

Forty-two-year-old Lainie Cassidy takes her two kids and leaves her abusive husband. She’s determined to face her fears and make it on her own. With an eye on her budget, she digs through boxes for items to use in homemade Halloween costumes and discovers a forgotten pocket watch from her Nana. This beloved treasure thrusts her into a new world where magic is real. As she learns the unpredictable nature of the timepiece plus the mysterious relation it has to books, she struggles to keep this newfound power secret from her kids, friends, and family.

Martians have wanted to invade Earth for some time in order to secure their own survival. They make their way to the new planet, but what they don't realize is that Earth may not be all that suitable for outsiders. H. G. Wells' science fiction novel "The War of the Worlds" dates back to the late 19th century and is one of the first literary works to depict a battle between aliens and humankind. "The War of the Worlds" has even inspired the works of scientists in the field of space travel.

On a quiet steamer to France, mysterious plots are whispered in dark corners. Rokoff, the nefarious Russian assassin, is at the bottom of them all. It would take someone with sharpened senses, lightning fast reflexes, and superhuman strength to thwart these plans. Join Tarzan as he travels far and wide on a covert mission to stop the scheming machinations of the unscrupulous and ingenious Rokoff.

In the frozen wastes north of Russia, a lone seaward vessel seeks the elusive Northwest Passage. Suddenly they sight a dog sled with a gargantuan figure in the shape of a man, driving the dogs northward to sure oblivion. The following day, they find another sled. This sled is filled with a European near death, and when asked what he is chasing, he simply replies, "to seek one who fled from me."

Tormented to distraction by the death of his true love, an old man embarks on a quixotic quest to find her. A tale that is tragic yet tender, Theodore Dreiser demonstrates the power of a love that bridges the gap between life and death.

Joseph Miller and Mike Samson are closing in on one of the Fallen on the busy streets of New York City, with the help of a young woman who just happens to grow fur and fangs. Little do they know that someone from Miller's past is hunting them, intending to settle a grudge over a thousand years old. Meanwhile, Lizzie Namgung is desperately searching for her missing friend, Ann. Much to her surprise, so is the FBI. As a new evil spreads across the city of Newark, Lizzie finds herself caught in a web of murder, mayhem, and monsters.

A stagecoach containing a microcosm of French society seek to escape to Le Havre during the Prussian war. Stopping at an inn along the way, they soon realize they have blundered into Prussian occupied territory. The travelers are not allowed to leave until one woman, a prostitute known as Boule de Suif, (literally suet dumpling, or ball of fat), sleeps with the commanding officer. This turn of events is met with universal indignation by the travelers. But as the days stretch out, everyone’s true colors are revealed.