The Narrator Presents: Recent Episodes
The Narrator
The Narrator (me) reads many works of literature ranging from novels to short stories to poems. Each reading has some insight into the work being read for your literary delight. Now you can be the life of the party and amaze everyone with your literary knowledge!
The Narrator reads Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Reeve's Tale' and its prologue. This tale is part of Chaucer's larger work, The Canterbury Tales. For this series, the Narrator used the following book: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/338/33858/the-canterbury-tales/9780140424386.html
The Narrator reads 'The Miller's Tale' by Geoffrey Chaucer. This tale is part of Chaucer's larger work, The Canterbury Tales. The Narrator used the following book for this series: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/338/33858/the-canterbury-tales/9780140424386.html
The Narrator introduces the Tales Series a.k.a The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. The Narrator discusses the life and times of Chaucer including the dark parts that schools and universities may not speak about. For this series, the Narrator used the following book: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/338/33858/the-canterbury-tales/9780140424386.html
The Narrator reads Tennyson's narrative poem 'The Lady of Shallot'. An explanation of the poem is explored. If you, dear listener, are interested in Tennyson's works check them out here: Idylls of the King (poem): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/287687/idylls-of-the-king-and-a-new-selection-of-poems-by-alfred-tennyson/ ; Or, if you're interested in the original by Sir Thomas Malory, 'Le Morte d'Arthur (collected tales): https://global.oup.com/academic/product/le-morte-darthur-9780199537341?cc=us⟨=en& ; Or, a fun (and more modern take) 'The Once and Future King (novel) by T.H. White: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/538862/the-once-and-future-king-by-t-h-white/
Murder is afoot! The Narrator reads Poe's short story 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue'. In addition, details into the composition of the story is explored. NOTE: In French, the word rue = street. In case you're interested, dear listener, in reading Poe's Dupin stories: The Murders in the Rue Morgue (Dupin Tales): (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/132013/the-murders-in-the-rue-morgue-by-edgar-allan-poe/); and in case you're interested in the first detective novel: The Moonstone (novel): (https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-moonstone-9780198819394?cc=us⟨=en&); or the first novel in the Sherlock Holmes cannon: A Study in Scarlet (novel): (https://global.oup.com/ukhe/product/a-study-in-scarlet-9780199554775?cc=gb⟨=en&).
The Narrator lets you know what's lit in literature right now. The Nickel Boys (novel) by Colson Whitehead (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/223161/the-nickel-boys-by-colson-whitehead/); Night. Sleep. Death. The Stars (novel) by Joyce Carol Oates (https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062797582/night-sleep-death-the-stars/); If It Bleeds (novella collection) by Stephen King (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/If-It-Bleeds/Stephen-King/9781982137977); Recursion (novel) by Blake Crouch (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/553713/recursion-by-blake-crouch/); Sabrina the Teenage Witch (comic book) by Kelly Thompson (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/610258/sabrina-the-teenage-witch-by-kelly-thompson/); The Monk (novel) (https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-monk-9780198704454?cc=us⟨=en&).
Be warned! This story contains witchcraft. It may haunt you in your life and dreams. The Narrator reads Hawthorne's short story 'Young Goodman Brown'. Insight into the short story is explored. If you'd like insight into Hawthorne himself, see episode titled 'Dr. Heidegger's Experiment'.
The Narrator reads Chopin's short story 'The Story of an Hour'. Insight into Chopin is also explored. Further reading recommendations: The Awakening (novel) https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-awakening-and-selected-short-stories-by-kate-chopin/263144/#isbn=0140390227&idiq=8776745 and Bayou Folk (short story collection) https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/bayou-folk-literary-classics-amherst-ny_kate-chopin/2892663/#isbn=1409949222&idiq=19696451.
SPOILER: The Narrator discusses the ending to Stockton's short story in the introduction of this episode. If you wish to remain spoiler free, jump to 10:50 then listen to the introduction. The Narrator reads Stockton's short story 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' Insight into Stockton is also discussed.
The Narrator reads Connell's short story 'The Most Dangerous Game'. Insight into Connell is explored as well. NOTE: This story is a product of its time.
The Narrator reads Hawthorne's short story 'Dr. Heidegger's Experiment'. Insight into Hawthorne is also explored. Many scholars debate whether Hawthorne was involved in transcendentalism. His most famous novel, The Scarlet Letter, displays themes of transcendentalism; however, Hawthorne himself may not have been a transcendentalist. The Narrator alludes that he was in this episode, but it is not known for sure. For anyone interested in Hawthorne's stories and novels, some recommendations are: The House of the Seven Gables (novel) https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-house-of-the-seven-gables_nathaniel-hawthorne/296053/#isbn=0375756876&idiq=1420339 and 'Young Goodman Brown' (short story) https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/nathaniel-hawthornes-tales-norton-critical-editions_nathaniel-hawthorne/278487/#isbn=0393954269&idiq=4273258.
The Narrator reads Poe's short story 'The Tell-Tale Heart'. Insight into Poe's life is also explored. Further recommendations: 'Murders in the Rue Morgue', 'The Black Cat', 'The Masque of the Red Death', and 'Ligeia'. Or, check it out all his works: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/poe-poetry-and-tales--library-of-america-19_edgar-allan-poe/332332/#isbn=0940450186&idiq=5856493