Forgotten Tales 5: The Nightingale

 

In which a Chinese emperor learns the value of one of his humblest subjects.

The Nightingale

(download or listen via this link)

References:

• SurLaLune's annotated version of the story
• Maria Tatar's Annotated Hans Christian Andersen
• Article from Wikipedia 

Read more of Hans Christian Andersen's works here.

Read about my English adventures at Zombie Parent's Guide. 

Lagniappe 56: Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest

"I'm not absolutely certain of my facts, but I rather fancy it's Shakespeare--or, if not, it's some equally brainy lad--who says that it's always just when a chappie is feeling particularly top-hole, and more than usually braced with things in general that Fate sneaks up behind him with a bit of lead piping. There's no doubt the man's right. It's absolutely that way with me. Take, for instance, the fairly rummy matter of Lady Malvern and her son Wilmot...."

Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest
(listen or download from link above)

Read for us by Will Duquette from The View From the Foothills

This story is in the public domain.

According to Webster

la·gniappe \ˈlan-ˌyap, lan-ˈ\
Function: noun
Etymology: American French, from American Spanish la ñapa the lagniappe, from la + ñapa, yapa, from Quechua yapa something added
Date: 1844
: a small gift given a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase; broadly : something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure

Episode 201: The Unforeseen, chapter 2

In which Virgilia "sees" more and we meet Nan. 

Episode 201, The Unforeseen, chapter 2
(download or listen via this link)

This book is in the public domain. 
(Note: I have researched the copyright to the best of my ability as well as written to the original publishers more than once and received no reply. My conclusion, therefore, is that this book is in the public domain. If anyone has conclusive information to the contrary, please contact me.) 

Book Information

• Story rating: PG for eerieness
• For another book by this author: The Uninvited (read previously on Forgotten Classics)

Podcast Highlight

• Moby Dick Big Read

Lagniappe 55: Ora et Labora et Zombies

An epistolary novel about the siege of a 
contemporary Benedictine monastery during a uniquely literal zombie apocalypse

Ora et Labora et Zombies: letters 1-3
(listen or download from link above)

This sample is read with permission by the author, Ryan Trusell.
To get the entire novel, subscribe at Ora et Labora et Zombies.

According to Webster

la·gniappe \ˈlan-ˌyap, lan-ˈ\
Function: noun
Etymology: American French, from American Spanish la ñapa the lagniappe, from la + ñapa, yapa, from Quechua yapa something added
Date: 1844
: a small gift given a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase; broadly : something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure

Lagniappe 54: Leave It to Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

"...It isn't only that Jeeves's judgment about clothes is infallible,
though, of course, that's really the main thing. The man knows
everything." And it's a good thing for Bertie that he does.

Leave It to Jeeves
(listen or download from link above)

Read for us by Will Duquette from The View From the Foothills

This story is in the public domain.

According to Webster

la·gniappe \ˈlan-ˌyap, lan-ˈ\
Function: noun
Etymology: American French, from American Spanish la ñapa the lagniappe, from la + ñapa, yapa, from Quechua yapa something added
Date: 1844
: a small gift given a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase; broadly : something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure

Episode 200: The Unforeseen, chapter 1

In which we meet Virgilia and hear her perplexing problem.

Episode 200, The Unforeseen, chapter 1
(download or listen via this link)

This book is in the public domain. 
(Note: I have researched the copyright to the best of my ability as well as written to the original publishers more than once and received no reply. My conclusion, therefore, is that this book is in the public domain. If anyone has conclusive information to the contrary, please contact me.) 

Book Information

• Story rating: PG for eerieness
• For another book by this author: The Uninvited (read previously on Forgotten Classics)

Highlight

• Ora et Labora et Zombies

Episode 199: Holocaust House by Norbert Davis, part 3

In which Doan solves all the puzzles.

Episode 199, Holocaust House, part 3
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: PG for violence and suggested sexuality
• Author information: Thrilling Detective,  Rue Morgue Press, Black Mask Magazine.
• This story is in the public domain. Download it free here.
• Or here.

Podcast Highlight

• Language Bites

Episode 198: Holocaust House by Norbert Davis, part 2

In which the plot thickens and Doan takes charge.

Episode 198, Holocaust House, part 2
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: PG for violence and suggested sexuality
• Author information: Thrilling Detective,  Rue Morgue Press, Black Mask Magazine.
• This story is in the public domain. Download it free here.
• Or here.

Highlights

• The Marvellous Land of Snergs
• Unholy Night
• The Lost World on The Classic Tales Podcast
• H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast
• Heather's son needs surgery ... she's having a sale.

Episode 197: Holocaust House by Norbert Davis, part 1

In which we meet the unique team of Doan and Carstairs.

Episode 197, Holocaust House, part 1
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: PG for violence and suggested sexuality
• Author information: Thrilling Detective,  Rue Morgue Press, Black Mask Magazine.
• This story is in the public domain. Download it free here.
• Or here.

Episode 196: The Beckoning Fair One, Part 3

In which Oleron investigates the unnatural happenings.

Episode 196, Beckoning Fair One, part 3
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: G, although creepy
• This story is in the public domain and you may get it free at Project Gutenberg.

Podcast Highlight
The History of English

Episode 195: The Beckoning Fair One, part 2

In which Elsie is threatened and Oleron has an encounter.

Episode 195, Beckoning Fair One, part 2
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: G, although creepy
• This story is in the public domain and you may get it free at Project Gutenberg.

Podcast Highlight
Simon Mayo's Confessions

Episode 194: The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions, part 1

In which Oleron rents new lodgings.

Episode 194, Beckoning Fair One, part 1
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: G, although creepy
• This story is in the public domain and you may get it free at Project Gutenberg.

Podcast Highlight
District of Wonders:

• Crime City Central
• Protecting Project Pulp
• Tales to Terrify
• StarShipSofa

Episode 193: Louis L'Amour Sampler

In which we saddle up and trot out a couple of Louis L'Amour's western stories.

Episode 193, Louis L'Amour Sampler
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: G
• These stories under copyright and being shared as samples under the Fair Use Act. If you like it, I urge you to read the whole book of collected short stories, The Collected Short Stories of Louis L'Amour: The Frontier Stories, Vol. 1

Podcast Highlight
My Welcome Table

Lagniappe 53: Journey to the West

The legend of the Monkey King

Journey to the West, chapter 1
(listen or download from link above)

More about the book may be read here.

According to Webster

la·gniappe \ˈlan-ˌyap, lan-ˈ\
Function: noun
Etymology: American French, from American Spanish la ñapa the lagniappe, from la + ñapa, yapa, from Quechua yapa something added
Date: 1844
: a small gift given a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase; broadly : something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure

Episode 192: In Search of London

In which we see there is more to London than meets the eye.

Episode 192, In Search of London
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: G
• This book is under copyright and being shared under the Fair Use Act. If you like it, I urge you to read the whole book, In Search of London by H.V. Morton

Lagniappe 52: Fahrenheit 451

It was a pleasure to burn.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
(listen or download from link above)

According to Webster

la·gniappe \ˈlan-ˌyap, lan-ˈ\
Function: noun
Etymology: American French, from American Spanish la ñapa the lagniappe, from la + ñapa, yapa, from Quechua yapa something added
Date: 1844
: a small gift given a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase; broadly : something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure

Episode 191: Bridge of Birds, ch. 29-30

A spectacular finale.

Episode 191, chapters 29-30
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: PG-13 for occasional adult situations.
• This book is in under copyright. Forgotten Classics has been granted permission by author Barry Hughart to read Bridge of Birds. Please contact Mr. Hughart or his agent for any permissions.
• If you are enjoying this reading, please buy Bridge of Birds and the other two books in the trilogy that comprise The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox. It is available on Kindle too!
• More information about Barry Hughart
• Subterranean Press

Highlights

• Ash Tree Press
• Delphi Classics

Vote on the next book:

• Popo's Miracle
• Cabin on Kettle Creek
• Arundel
• The Unforeseen

Episode 190: Bridge of Birds - Chapters 27-28

In which we get to the bottom of something silver, something gold ... literally.

Episode 190, chapters 27-28
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: PG-13 for occasional adult situations.
• This book is in under copyright. Forgotten Classics has been granted permission by author Barry Hughart to read Bridge of Birds. Please contact Mr. Hughart or his agent for any permissions.
• If you are enjoying this reading, please buy Bridge of Birds and the other two books in the trilogy that comprise The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox. It is available on Kindle too!
• More information about Barry Hughart
• Subterranean Press

Movies

• Beasts of the Southern Wild
• Your Sister's Sister
• Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter
• I'm a Cyborg But That's OK (Korean)
• John Carter
• Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
• The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Vote on the next book:

• Popo's Miracle
• Cabin on Kettle Creek
• Arundel
• The Unforeseen

Episode 189: Bridge of Birds, ch. 25-26

In which there is a daring escape and the Emperor of Heaven is detected.

Episode 189, chapters 25-26
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: PG-13 for occasional adult situations.
• This book is in under copyright. Forgotten Classics has been granted permission by author Barry Hughart to read Bridge of Birds. Please contact Mr. Hughart or his agent for any permissions.
• If you are enjoying this reading, please buy Bridge of Birds and the other two books in the trilogy that comprise The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox. It is available on Kindle too!
• More information about Barry Hughart
• Subterranean Press

Podcast Highlight

• Everyday Einstein
• Domestic CEO

Vote on the next book:

• Popo's Miracle
• Cabin on Kettle Creek
• Arundel
• The Unforeseen

Episode 188: Bridge of Birds, chapters 23-24

In which we discover there really is no better way to pass the time before being tortured to death than to listen to a fairy story.

Episode 188, chapters 23-24
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: PG-13 for occasional adult situations.
• This book is in under copyright. Forgotten Classics has been granted permission by author Barry Hughart to read Bridge of Birds. Please contact Mr. Hughart or his agent for any permissions.
• If you are enjoying this reading, please buy Bridge of Birds and the other two books in the trilogy that comprise The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox. It is available on Kindle too!
• More information about Barry Hughart
• Subterranean Press

Podcast Highlight
Supernatural Horror in Literature

Episode 187: Genesis, chapters 49-50

In which we come to the end of the beginning.

Episode 187, chapters 49-50
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• This book is under copyright. Forgotten Classics has been granted the non-exclusive right to read Robert Alter's translation of Genesis and his commentary. This book is published by WW Norton. Please contact Mr. Alter or his agent for any permissions. Many thanks to Robert Alter and Georges Borchardt for their graciousness in allowing us to read this book.
• If you are enjoying this reading, please buy Genesis. It comes to life even more when you are able to see and ponder the words.
• Story rating: R for adult situations and commentary.
• I will do my best to properly pronounce any Hebrew words but cannot promise accuracy. Biblical words may be pronounced using this guide.

Podcast Highlights

• The Chronicles of Clovis

Lagniappe 51: The Bells by Edgar Allan Poe

The bells! -- The bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells -- the rhyming and the chiming of the bells!

The Bells by Edgar Allan Poe
(listen or download from link above)
Inspired by the book and introduction found at SFFaudio.

According to Webster

la·gniappe \ˈlan-ˌyap, lan-ˈ\
Function: noun
Etymology: American French, from American Spanish la ñapa the lagniappe, from la + ñapa, yapa, from Quechua yapa something added
Date: 1844
: a small gift given a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase; broadly : something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure

Episode 186: Bridge of Birds, chapters 20-22

In which we visit the Cavern of Bells, meet a third handmaid, and hear from a Mouse.

Episode 186, chapters 20-22
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: PG-13 for occasional adult situations.
• This book is in under copyright. Forgotten Classics has been granted permission by author Barry Hughart to read Bridge of Birds. Please contact Mr. Hughart or his agent for any permissions.
• If you are enjoying this reading, please buy Bridge of Birds and the other two books in the trilogy that comprise The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox. It is available on Kindle too!
• More information about Barry Hughart
• Subterranean Press

Podcast Highlight
A Podcast to the Curious
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary by M. R. James (LibriVox)

Other Links

• A Good Story is Hard to Find - The Wrath of Khan
• SFFaudio
• CraftLit
• Ken Harmeyer's story: Mike
• The New Mother by Lucy Clifford
• The New Mother read by Heather Ordover

Episode 185: Genesis, chapters 47-48

In which Jacob speaks graciously to Pharaoh and gives an unexpected blessing.

Episode 185, chapters 47-48
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• This book is under copyright. Forgotten Classics has been granted the non-exclusive right to read Robert Alter's translation of Genesis and his commentary. This book is published by WW Norton. Please contact Mr. Alter or his agent for any permissions. Many thanks to Robert Alter and Georges Borchardt for their graciousness in allowing us to read this book.
• If you are enjoying this reading, please buy Genesis. It comes to life even more when you are able to see and ponder the words.
• Story rating: R for adult situations and commentary.
• I will do my best to properly pronounce any Hebrew words but cannot promise accuracy. Biblical words may be pronounced using this guide.

Podcast Highlights

• Shakespeare's Restless World

Episode 184: Bridge of Birds, chapters 18-19

In which we discover an oasis, an invisible hand, and a bamboo dragonfly.

Episode 184, chapters 18-19
(download or listen via this link)

Book Information

• Story rating: PG-13 for occasional adult situations.
• This book is in under copyright. Forgotten Classics has been granted permission by author Barry Hughart to read Bridge of Birds. Please contact Mr. Hughart or his agent for any permissions.
• If you are enjoying this reading, please buy Bridge of Birds and the other two books in the trilogy that comprise The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox. It is available on Kindle too!
• More information about Barry Hughart
• Subterranean Press

Links

• Gregg Margarite
• Kaylee - our newest dog
• Jane Eyre at A Good Story is Hard to Find
• Phoenix Pick - free books for 10 weeks