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  A Warning to the Curious - From...

  M R James

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  Montague Rhodes James is cited as perhaps the greatest English writer of ghost stories, an opinion few would disagree with. 
  James was born on 1st August 1862 at Goodnestone Parsonage in Kent, where his father was Curate but at age 3 the family went to live at Livermere, near Bury St Edmunds in East Anglia.  
  From early childhood he had a passion for mediaeval books and antiques. He was educated initially as a boarder at Temple Grove School in East Sheen, west London, before gaining a scholarship to Eton and thence Cambridge where he gained a double first, becoming a distinguished linguist and mediaevalist.  
  Before the Great War vacations were usually spent touring Europe absorbing cultures and references for his later writing. 
  A man of enormous knowledge it was said he timed his breakfast egg whilst he completed the Times crossword.  
  Many of his elegant yet terrifying tales were created by discarding the prevailing gothic cliches and placing his characters and narrative in a realistic setting.  Thereby the stories gained atmosphere and menace on a grand scale and he was famed as the originator of the antiquarian ghost story. 
  Although story-telling and writing these 30 or so tales was a hobby, when published their effect transformed the genre and still chill the bones in our more modern times. 
  James was also a medievalist scholar and translator whose work remains highly respected. He was also Provost of Eton College between 1918 and 1936. 
  M R James died on 12th June 1936 at Eton in Buckinghamshire.  He was 73.

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  Vanity Fair - Audiobook

  William Makepeace Thackeray,...

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  William Makepeace Thackeray's Vanity Fair is a monumental satire of nineteenth-century English society. Subtitled "A Novel Without a Hero," it chronicles the rise and fall of Becky Sharp, a clever, ambitious, and morally ambiguous woman determined to secure wealth and status in a world driven by greed, vanity, and hypocrisy. Alongside her, the virtuous but naïve Amelia Sedley provides a striking contrast, embodying the traditional values of love and loyalty.Through its vivid cast of characters, from aristocrats to soldiers, Thackeray exposes the follies and pretensions of a society obsessed with appearances and material success. His biting wit, sharp observations, and refusal to glorify any single character make the novel both a mirror of Victorian life and a timeless commentary on human weakness.Endlessly entertaining and profoundly insightful, Vanity Fair remains a classic of world literature. Its mixture of humor, irony, and moral questioning continues to captivate readers and listeners, reminding us of the eternal dance between ambition and virtue.

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  1984 With Full Cast - + Short...

  George Orwell

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  George Orwell's novel "1984," published in 1949, stands as a profound and chilling exploration of dystopian society and totalitarianism. Set in a nightmarish future, the story depicts a world dominated by the all-seeing, all-controlling Party led by the enigmatic Big Brother. Orwell's stark portrayal of a society devoid of privacy, individuality, and truth has resonated deeply with readers for decades, making "1984" a timeless work of literature that continues to influence discussions about government control, surveillance, and the nature of truth. 
   
  In the aftermath of World War II, Orwell's "1984" emerged as a powerful cautionary tale, drawing upon the author's own experiences with authoritarian regimes and his concerns about the erosion of individual freedoms. The novel's protagonist, Winston Smith, becomes a symbol of the struggle for independent thought in a world where historical facts are constantly manipulated to serve the Party's narrative. The creation of the Newspeak language, designed to limit freedom of expression, underscores the insidious ways in which totalitarian governments seek to control the minds of their citizens. The harrowing depiction of psychological manipulation, surveillance, and the eradication of dissenting voices paints a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked power. 
   
  The significance of "1984" extends beyond its portrayal of a nightmarish future; it serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of safeguarding individual liberties. Orwell's themes of truth, memory, and language resonate with ongoing debates about the role of media, the spread of misinformation, and the erosion of civil liberties in the modern world. As technology continues to advance, the novel's warnings about the potential for mass surveillance and government control remain alarmingly relevant.

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  Mr Reginald Peacock's Day

  Katherine Mansfield

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  "Mr Reginald Peacock's Day" is a 1920 short story by Katherine Mansfield. It was first published in the New Age on 14 June 1917, and later reprinted in Bliss and Other Stories.
  Reginald is woken up by his wife for breakfast. He is irritated by his wife who is very polite with him. He has a bath, sings for a bit and fathoms he could be an opera singer.

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  Twelfth Night

  William Shakespeare

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  Shipwrecked on the shores of Illyria, Viola assumes the role of a male page to Duke Orsino. The Duke sends Viola, now disguised as ‘Cesario’ to press his suit with the beautiful Olivia – who promptly falls in love with Cesario. Confusion reigns until the truth is untangled and true love triumphs. 
   
  Recorded at The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood in July 2022. 
   
  Adapted and Directed by Martin Jarvis 
  Producing Director: Susan Albert Loewenberg 
   
  An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast recording starring: 
  Rosalind Ayres as Maria  
  Tara Lynne Barr as Olivia 
  Chris Butler as Orsino 
  JD Cullum as Antonio 
  Sarah Drew as Viola  
  Martin Jarvis as Sir Toby Belch 
  Adhir Kalyan as Sir Andrew Aguecheek 
  Stacy Keach as Feste, the Fool 
  André Sogliuzzo as Fabian, Curio, Valentine and others 
  Josh Stamberg as Malvolio 
  Mark Jude Sullivan as Sebastian 
   
  Senior Producer: Anna Lyse Erikson 
  Recording and Mixing Engineer: Charles Carroll 
  Editing and Sound Design: David Wilson and Charles Carroll 
  Senior Radio Producer: Ronn Lipkin 
  Foley Artist: Jeff Gardner 
  Guitar Accompaniment by JD Cullum

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  Northanger Abbey

  Jane Austen

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  "Northanger Abbey," penned by the esteemed Jane Austen in the early 19th century, unfolds the tale of Catherine Morland, a spirited young woman whose upbringing is as unremarkable as her appearance. Unlike the captivating heroines of traditional romantic fiction, Catherine stands apart, her allure rooted not in conventional beauty but in her thirst for adventure and the grandiose ideals spun by the novels she so eagerly consumes. These fantastical narratives foreshadow her entrance into the bustling world of society, particularly as she embarks on a promising journey to Bath. 
  The novel begins by painting a vivid contrast between Catherine’s ordinary life and her vivid aspirations. From her earliest days, she exhibits a preference for lively pursuits over the genteel amusements typically deemed suitable for young ladies, a spirited inclination that blossoms further into her teenage years as her fascination with the romantic tales ignites her imagination.  
  Her significant adventure begins when she receives an invitation to Bath, a place she envisions as a tapestry woven with excitement, friendship, and the tantalizing possibility of romance, especially with the dashing Mr. Tilney, who captures her imagination and stirs her heart. This narrative is rich with wit, offering a sharp commentary on societal norms and the journey of self-discovery. It elegantly explores the often jarring contrast between one’s dreams and reality, inviting readers into a world that delights in satirizing the very romantic tropes it portrays. This makes "Northanger Abbey" an engaging and insightful read for anyone who cherishes character-driven stories infused with humor and depth.

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