Best 100 English Stories Podcasts

On the Stories Podcast, we perform a new story for your children every week. The stories range from retellings of fairy tales like Snow White to classic stories like Peter Rabbit and even completely original works. The perfect kids podcast for imaginative families. more

As busy parents bedtime is often the only quality time we get to spend with our kids, so we've always tried to make the best of it by reading books, talking, or listening to songs and other stories. There are a lot of great fictional stories out there that we enjoy, but I realized there is a lot of fun with true stories as well. I started telling the history and my own stories, making them into short, enjoyable tales for my kids. My goal in this podcast is to share these stories with others and we hope you enjoy them, too. more

Every week, join award-winning narrator B.J. Harrison as he narrates the greatest stories the world has ever known. From the jungles of South America to the Mississippi Delta, from Victorian England to the sands of the Arabian desert, join us on a fantastic journey through the words of the world's greatest authors. Critically-acclaimed and highly recommended for anyone who loves a good story with plenty of substance. more

Storynory brings you audio stories for the family, beautifully read, and with a touch of sophistication. We find traditional stories from all over the world and create our own characters including Katie the Witch, and Astropup the space travelling hound. We also give you songs, educational interviews, and a sprinkling of ancient history. more

Dramas for English language learners from BBC World Service. Improve your English with retellings of stories classic and new. Each episode is between 6 and 10 minutes long. more

THANK YOU FOR 1.5 MILLION PLAYS!! Listen as K reads aloud your favorite children's books! Whether you use reading time to help build reading skills or help your little ones fall asleep, this podcast has exactly what you need. more

Fall asleep with the ultimate comfort bedtime stories: the works of Jane Austen! Each episode we'll read a section of Jane Austen's work aloud in a soothing voice, set to relaxation music, to help you get to sleep. more

Learning a language is hard. With Easy Stories in English, you can learn English the natural way, without studying lists of vocabulary or complicated grammar rules. Every week, Ariel Goodbody, author and language teacher, will present a story adapted to your level of English. The stories will be hilarious, dramatic, and entertaining, but never too difficult. If you're learning English and are tired of boring textbooks, then this is the podcast for you. Go to easystoriesinenglish.com for full transcripts of every episode, and to see a list of stories categorised by level. more

We bring you Classic Children's stories of all kinds to keep your young ones entertained, read by a professional voice actress. The themes range from animal stories, to stories that teach, to classic favourites like Tom Thumb, Red Riding Hood and more. Settle in, have a listen and enjoy. more

توی این پادکست من میام توی هر اپیزود، یه داستان انگلیسی از یه کتاب معتبر می‌خونم و باهم معنی می‌کنیم و لذت ‌می‌بریم more

Hosted by Jon Hagadorn, 1001 Stories For The Road is bringing back adventure with stories like 'Treasure Island', 'The Secret Adversary' by Agatha Christie, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', 'Tarzan of the Apes', 'King Solomon's Mines', 'The 39 Steps', 'The Call of the Wild'- and many more. These stories are classic for a reason- they are great! And they are family friendly. We appreciate reviews-thank you! more

Step into the wonderful world of African storytelling with the globally renowned Gcina Mhlophe. In 'African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe', Gcina shares many of the tales you grew up with, plus new stories so we can keep the magic of African storytelling alive for new generations. more

This timeless novel highlights the abuse and neglect that the orphaned Jane Eyre faced while growing up.This story opens with Jane Eyre being shipped off to be cared for by her uncle Mr. Reed who lived at the Gateshead Hall. Her uncle was always kind to her but his wife, Sarah Reed was anything but. Sarah's son John and Sarah's two daughters also contributed to Jane's torment. Jane was excluded from all family activities and found solace only in her books and dolls.One day John knocked her down and she tried to defend herself. This earned her a traumatic lock up in the room where her uncle died. At one point, she thought that she could see his ghost and this so terrified the poor child that an apothecary had to be called in. The kind man advised Sarah Reed to send Jane off to boarding school and she was subsequently sent to Lowood.Seen through Jane's eyes, Lowood was only marginally better than Gateshead but at least she had friends there. The book will take you way back to the days of bumpy carriage rides and class discrimination. It is also a glimpse into some historical aspects of England centuries ago and the antiquated notions that were held at the time.Charlotte Bronte tells an amazing story about a woman who faces issues of respect in an era when women were not permitted to stand up to society. Eventually Jane finds an employer that supports her but the shadowy and ominous Mr. Rochester, hides a dreadful secret that threatens Jane's happiness. more

Put simply, The Same Page is a podcast that allows you to expose your family in five minutes or less to Scripture, Poetry, Shakespeare and Historical Facts. It is also allows you to bring great classic literature to your family in an easy to consume format- audiobooks! We have taken all the work out of it for you so that you can simply enjoy these works with your family. On a deeper level The Same Page is meant to bring families together to memorize great works and listen to great literature, creating a shared experience that leads to deeper relationships. We are all about fostering the atmosphere and sharing the stories that lead us home. more

This is a rescue mission to safeguard the wisdom in the Classics before it is lost forever. Join me, Sir Bradley Hasse, a teller of borrowed tales, as I guide you on a journey filled with courage, adventure, and wonder based on The Junior Classics, an iconic collection of timeless fairy tales, legends, and histories rooted in what is good, beautiful, and true. My goal is to inspire children and families with a love of good reading and a real and lasting interest in Western history, literature, and scholarship. more

Four children: Henry, Jess Violet and Bennie. They are living alone in a stranded boxcar. They find items they need from the dump and a stray dog whom they name Watch. Henry earns money by working for a man named Dr. McAllister and his mother, Mrs. McAllister. But, while they are living their daily lives, little do they know that the McAllisters are watching their every move. (Summary by francesb) more

Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen's classic comic romance, in which the five Bennett sisters try to find that most elusive creature: a single man in possession of a large fortune. Sparks fly when sweet, pretty Jane meets their new neighbor, Mr. Bingley, but her sister Elizabeth is most offended by his haughty friend, Mr. Darcy. This is Austen at the height of her powers: the ironic narration, hilariously drawn supporting characters, and romantic suspense make this her most enduringly popular novel. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett) more

An acclaimed children's classic depicting the odd, but riveting journeys of the curious Alice as she explores the surreal world of Wonderland. Written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson or better known under his pseudonym Lewis Caroll, this episodic novel is assembled in twelve chapters each containing a prominent adventure. The departure from logic and its embracement of pure imagination is what makes Alice's Adventures in Wonderland a model for fantasy novels and a timeless classic.The novel begins when the self-aware young Alice, who grows bored of sitting by the river with her sister, and spots a peculiar looking rabbit, dressed in a waistcoat. She hears the rabbit, which is seemingly in a hurry, mumbling whilst dangling its pocket watch. Impulsively, Alice inquisitively rushes after it making her way down a rabbit-hole which descends to the fantasy realm of Wonderland. Finding herself in an unknown corridor encircled by doors of all shapes and sizes, Alice is subject to her first of many bizarre encounters. In order to fit through a tiny door, which separates her from a beautiful garden, she drinks a shrinking potion. Unfortunately, she forgets the key to the door on the normal sized table and faces the beginning of her troubles. In her pursue of the White Rabbit throughout Wonderland, Alice goes through immense individual changes and revelations as her perception of reality is altered. After a sequence of events, Alice discovers the unsettling features of the strange world as she encounters zany characters including the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the Hare and the intimidating Queen of Hearts. Caroll's use of wordplay is another interesting concept in the novel. Not only does he invent new words and expressions, but he also twists the meanings of the already existing. Illustrating the purity of childhood innocence, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland serves as a playful fairy tale for its youngest readers and a limitless playground for the imaginative minds of older enthusiasts. more

This classic tale tells of an orphan, Pip, who through a series of strange circumstances first finds a trade as a blacksmith's apprentice and then learns that he has 'great expectations' of a future inheritance from an anonymous benefactor. He soon learns to live the profligate life of a gentleman as he gradually sheds his associations with the gentle souls of his past, Joe and Biddy. He throws his money at improving the prospects of his roommate and friend Herbert and his heart at an 'ice princess' whose heart will never respond. more

Mark reads great stories from the public domain.

Nicholas Nickleby is a young Devonshire man of nineteen, handsome and hot headed, devoted to his sister Kate and his parents. Following the death of Nicholas's father, they find themselves penniless, and travel to London to seek help from his uncle, Ralph Nickleby, a heartless, cunning rogue. He grudgingly finds employment for Nicholas in Dotheby Hall, a school in Yorkshire run by the brutal Mr. and Mrs. Wackford Squeers. Appalled at the condition and treatment of the school children, Nicholas rebels, escaping with Smike, a young man/child who has become devoted to him. Meanwhile back in London, Ralph Nickleby uses his beautiful niece Kate to adorn dinner parties for his disreputable male clientele. He also acquires for her a position as a dressmaker, where she finds herself working under a despotic supervisor.Nicholas, in search of employment, first tutors children of the Kenwigs family. Later he meets the flamboyant Mr.Vincent Crummles, and along with Smike, joins his theatrical troupe, with a band of hilarious actors. Among his many tasks, he creates posters, adapts scripts and acts in many productions. Learning of Kate being in peril, he and Smike leave the troupe to come to her aid. Nicholas then meets with the wonderful Cheeryble brothers who help him start a new life with his family and Smike -- but Smike is captured by Wackford Squeers and returned to Dotheby Hall in Yorkshire. Nicholas goes to the school to rescue Smike, and faces off Mr.Squeers, in an unforgettable scene.In the course of his many adventures, Nicholas falls in love, his sister Kate falls in love, and even the often dotty Mrs. Nickleby is courted by a strange man who flings vegetables to her as tokens of love.Written when Dickens was himself a young man, Nicholas Nickleby is full of twists and turns, and adventures both merry and tragic, with, as always, many unforgettable characters. (Summary by Mil Nicholson) more

North and South is a social novel that tries to show the industrial North and its conflicts in the mid-19th century as seen by an outsider, a socially sensitive lady from the South. The story: the heroine, Margaret Hale, is the daughter of a Nonconformist minister who moves to the fictional industrial town of Milton after leaving the Church of England. The town is modeled after Manchester, where Gaskell lived as the wife of a Unitarian minister. The change of lifestyle shocks Margaret, who sympathizes deeply with the poverty of the workers and comes into conflict with John Thornton, the owner of a local mill, also a friend of her father. After an encounter with a group of strikers, in which Margaret attempts to protect Thornton from the violence, he proposes to her, telling her that he is in love with her; she rejects his proposal of marriage, mainly because she sees it as if it were out of obligation for what she had done. Later, he sees her with her fugitive brother, whom he mistakes for another suitor, and this creates further unresolved conflict. Margaret, once she believes she has lost his affection, begins to see him in another light, and eventually they are reunited. (Summary from Wikipedia) more

Hindi and English Stories plus Poems by Alyssa

Dive into the world of 19th-century English society with 'Dombey and Son,' a poignant novel by Charles Dickens brought to you by the GSMC Audiobook Series. This story of familial relationships, ego, and reconciliation presents a vivid exploration of human emotions against the backdrop of a shipping firm. The GSMC Audiobook Series delivers the best of the golden age of audio books, featuring performances by top audiobook performers. more

Eleven-year-old Jude Fawley, inspired by his teacher Mr. Phillotson, who leaves Marygreen for Christminster to take a university degree, decides to adopt the same course for himself. Raised by his great-aunt, he studies hard with the aid of some old Latin and Greek books sent to him by Phillotson.He trains as a stonemason in order to enable him to support himself when at the university. However when he finally arrives in Christminster he soon finds that a university education is not easily come by for one of his social standing.Meeting and falling in love with his cousin Sue Bridehead his future becomes a series of challenges to his moral, religious and social beliefs.The novel caused quite a stir in late Victorian England due in part to it's depiction of marriage and the role religion played in it. Savagely criticised on publication it led to Hardy turning from novel writing and concentrating for the rest of his career on poetry alone. It's now considered one of Hardy's finest works and is held up as an example of English novel writing at it's best.Summary by T.Hynes. more

Cranford is the best-known novel of the 19th century English writer Elizabeth Gaskell. It was first published in 1851 as a serial in the magazine Household Words, which was edited by Charles Dickens. more

Reading well-known classic short stories to you by Lily

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Around the World in Eighty Days (French: Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours) is a classic adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, first published in 1873. In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his newly employed French valet Passepartout attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days on a £20,000 wager set by his friends at the Reform Club. (Summary from Wikipedia) more

A Tale of Two Cities (Nederlands: In Londen en Parijs of De Geschiedenis van Twee Steden) is een roman van Charles Dickens, die zich afspeelt in Londen en Parijs ten tijde van de Franse Revolutie. De roman verscheen in wekelijkse afleveringen in het tijdschrift All the Year Round, tussen april en november 1859. more

Dickens picareske verhaal over Samuel Pickwick en zijn vrienden (de 'vurige' Tracy Tupman, de 'dichterlijke' Augustus Snodgrass en de 'sportieve' Nathaniël Winkle) is eigenlijk nauwelijks een roman te noemen. Het lijkt vooral in het begin een losse bundeling schetsen van komische gebeurtenissen en ontmoetingen met merkwaardige figuren (zoals de verlopen acteur en oplichter Alfred Jingle), aaneengeregen door postkoetsen en herbergen. Het zien van de werkelijkheid kan het centrale thema worden genoemd van de roman. De aanvankelijk zowel letterlijk als figuurlijk bijziende Pickwick leert geleidelijk beter zien, maar tegelijkertijd weet hij zijn onschuld te behouden en leert de scepticus Sam Weller van zijn kant uit geleidelijk de idealiserende goedertierenheid van Pickwick zien als van grote waarde. (Samenvatting van Wikipedia) more

This is the wonderful story of Pinocchio, the puppet who must learn many lessons before he can become a real boy. Carved by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a small Italian village, he dreamed of becoming a real boy but strays from the path of goodness many times and is very willing to listen to temptation. He has also been used as a character who is prone to telling lies and fabricating stories for various reasons. The story has appeared in many adaptations in other mediums. Pinocchio has been called an icon of modern culture, and one of most reimagined characters in the pantheon of children's literature. Listen to his many adventures, scrapes, misdeeds and pranks followed by bouts of sincere repentance and remorse. But these last only until the next enticing adventure or misdeed presents itself. Of course he does finally learn his lesson and does become a real boy when finally understanding that love and duty come first before pleasure and play. (summary from Wikipedia and the reader) more

Apart from 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' - the pieces which made both Irving and The Sketch Book famous - other tales include 'Roscoe', 'The Broken Heart', 'The Art of Book-making', 'A Royal Poet', 'The Spectre Bridegroom', 'Westminster Abbey', 'Little Britain', and 'John Bull'. His stories were highly influenced by German folktales, with 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' being inspired by a folktale recorded by Karl Musäus. Stories range from the maudlin (such as 'The Wife' and 'The Widow and Her Son') to the picaresque ('Little Britain') and the comical ('The Mutability of Literature'), but the common thread running through The Sketch Book — and a key part of its attraction to readers — is the personality of Irving's pseudonymous narrator, Geoffrey Crayon. Erudite, charming, and never one to make himself more interesting than his tales, Crayon holds The Sketch Book together through the sheer power of his personality - and Irving would, for the rest of his life, seamlessly enmesh Crayon's persona with his own public reputation. (Introduction by Wikipedia) more

The Schlegels frequently encounter the Wilcoxes. The youngest, Helen, is rejected by the younger Wilcox brother, Paul. The eldest, Margaret, becomes friends with his mother Ruth Wilcox. Ruth's most prized personal possession is her family house at Howards End. She wishes that Margaret could live there, as she feels that it might be in good hands with her. Ruth's own husband and children do not value the house and its rich history, because such abstractions, while being very dear to Margaret, are lost to them. As she is terminally ill, and Margaret and her family are about to be evicted from their London home by a developer, Ruth bequeaths the cottage to Margaret in a handwritten note found among her effects when she dies, causing great consternation among the Wilcoxes. Mrs Wilcox's widowed husband Henry and his children burn the note without telling Margaret about her inheritance. However, over the course of several years, Margaret becomes friends with Henry Wilcox and eventually marries him. The more free-spirited Margaret tries to get Henry to open up more, to little effect. Henry's elder son Charles and his wife try to keep Margaret from taking possession of Howards End. (Summary from Wikipedia) more

Right from its famous opening scene which begins, 'Thunder and lightning. Enter Three Witches' The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare holds the reader fast in a stirring, monumental experience that plumbs the depths of the human soul and reveals its most morbid secrets.The play is set in medieval Scotland. It is based partly on historical facts and recounts the tale of Macbeth, who was a king in Scotland, according to The Holinshead Chronicles, a book published in 1577. This book was extensively used by contemporary playwrights like Shakespeare and Marlowe as inspiration for their themes, characters and events. Though Shakespeare did use some of the material found in Holinshead, the final product is entirely his own and he fleshed-out and created most of the principal characters himself in a play that is considered his darkest, most ominous and most powerful tragedy.The Tragedy of Macbeth is also one that explores the nature of the supernatural in our lives. The play begins with Macbeth and Banquo, two army generals in the employ of their king, Duncan, returning victorious from two different wars. As they cross a dark and lonely heath, they encounter three women who predict that Macbeth will be named Thane of Cawdor and one day reign as King of Scotland and that Banquo will beget an illustrious line of noble descendants who will one day rule the land, though Banquo himself will never reign. The two men are skeptical, but their disbelief begins to vanish when messengers arrive with the news that Macbeth has been elevated to the rank of Thane of Cawdor! This sets off a train of devastating events. Macbeth's ambitious and evil wife, Lady Macbeth, is willing to go to any lengths to achieve her ends. Plots, treason, murder, ghosts, war and suicide follow, in a terrible mélange.Macbeth is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy. It deals with issues that are relevant even today. The overarching greed for power at any cost, the breakdown of morality, corruption and unbridled ambition, cruelty and its effect on the soul, omens and portents, superstitions and violence are some of the dark themes explored.Since it was first performed in the 1600s, Macbeth has remained one of the most widely enacted plays in the world, been translated into hundreds of world languages, given contemporary twists, adapted for film, television, studied in schools and universities and been the subject of psychological, sociological and political research.Ultimately, it remains one of the most remarkable portrayals of the shadowy and unlit spaces of the human heart. more

Our hero, Peter Vibart, an Oxford graduate with no means of support but for 10 guineas he has inherited, sets out on a walking tour of the Kent countryside. Along the way, he meets many quaint and adoring characters as well as a few ne'er-do-wells, meets with several disasters and triumphs, and eventually he meets 'The Woman,' who leads him to even more disasters and triumphs. (Introduction by John Lieder)Proof-listened by Dawn Larsen and BainbridgeCatherine. more

Written at the height of George MacDonald's literary career, the story centers around the life of a simple merchant's daughter. Mary Marston's unswerving commitment to love, God, and others is contrasted with a backdrop of an array of characters and a complex and sometimes mysterious plot. It is a story of a woman who loves a man, and teaches him to change. Not out of his love for her, but simply because it was the right thing to do. MacDonald allows the characters a range from delightful to devious. As such, they were intended to serve as models. His message is that all eventually must stand before God. (Summary text from Wikipedia)This project was proof listened by Stav Nisser and Phil Chenevert. more

In this novel by Victorian sensationalist Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Henry Dunbar returns to England after a 30-year exile to India for committing forgery. What follows is an adventure involving murder, deception, the ethical quandaries of guilt and responsibility, and the struggle against the gender and social barriers of the Victorian era. (Summary by Rosie) more

Irritated and drunken, an itinerant farm-worker sells his wife and child to a stranger. Thus begins The Mayor of Casterbridge, set in rural and small-town England in the mid-1800s. In the original subtitle, Hardy called this the story of 'a man of character,' and the central character, Michael Henchard, is one of English fiction's greatest creations. Henchard is deeply developed as a realistic character, but also larger-than-life in the manner of a Greek or Shakespearean tragic hero — huge in his determination and huge in his failings. The novel deals with the struggles between individual will, the hold of the past, and the relentless control of circumstances in a changing society. (Summary by Bruce Pirie) more

After the turmoil and uncertainty of Henry IV a new era appears to dawn for England with the accession of the eponymous Henry V. In this sunny pageant Chorus guides us along Henry's glittering carpet ride of success as the new king completes his transformation from rebellious wastrel to a truly regal potentate. Of course, there is an underlying feeling that the good times won't last, and this is all the more reason to enjoy the Indian summer before the protracted and bitter fall of the house of Lancaster. (Introduction by Algy Pug)Cast:Alice: Caroline SophieArchbishop of Canterbury: Sean RandallBardolph: John FrickerBates: David LawrenceBishop of Ely: Algy PugBoy: AldorChorus: Elizabeth KlettConstable of France: Lars RolanderCourt: Dale BurgessDuke of Bedford: Dale BurgessDuke of Bourbon: Algy PugDuke of Burgundy: Algy PugDuke of Exeter: David GoldfarbDuke of Gloucester: Tadhg HynesDuke of Orleans: Ric FDuke of York: Algy PugEarl of Cambridge: Algy PugEarl of Salisbury: Algy PugEarl of Warwick: Algy PugEarl of Westmoreland: Timothy FergusonFirst Ambassador: Dale BurgessFluellen: Martin GeesonFrench soldier: Nadine Eckert-BouletGovernor of Harfleur: Dale BurgessGower: Bruce PirieGrandpre: Dale BurgessHenry V: Arielle LipshawHerald: Maria ThereseHostess Quickly: Elizabeth KlettJamy: lennichKatharine: ezwaKing of France: Paul AdamsLewis the Dauphin: Nadine Eckert-BouletLord Scroop: Bruce PirieMacmorris: Tadhg HynesMessenger: Elizabeth KlettMontjoy: Amy GramourNym: Sandra GPistol: Algy PugQueen Isabel: KalyndaRambures: Elizabeth KlettSir Thomas Erpingham: Dale BurgessSir Thomas Grey: Dale BurgessWilliams: Ty UnglebowerNarrator: Elizabeth KlettAudio edited by: Elizabeth Klett more

When Lucy Honeychurch travels to Italy with her cousin, she meets George Emerson, a bohemian and an atheist who falls in love with her. Upon her return to England, she is forced to choose between free-spirited George and her more conventional fiancé, Cecil Vyse. The story is both a romance and a critique of English society at the beginning of the 20th century. (Summary from Wikipedia) more

Science Fiction is speculative literature that generally explores the consequences of ideas which are roughly consistent with nature and scientific method, but are not facts of the author's contemporary world. The stories often represent philosophical thought experiments presented in entertaining ways. Protagonists typically 'think' rather than 'shoot' their way out of problems, but the definition is flexible because there are no limits on an author's imagination. The reader-selected stories presented here were written prior to 1962 and became US public domain texts when their copyrights expired. (Summary by Gregg Margarite) more

Edith Nesbit's classic story, in which three children, pulled suddenly from their comfortable suburban life, move to the country with their mother, where they come to know and love the ways of the railways. (Summary by Karen Savage) more

Robin Hood is the archetypal English folk hero; a courteous, pious and swashbuckling outlaw of the mediæval era who, in modern versions of the legend, is famous for robbing the rich to feed the poor and fighting against injustice and tyranny. He operates with his 'seven score' (140 strong) group of fellow outlawed yeomen named the Merry Men. He and his band are usually associated with Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire.The Victorian era generated its own distinct versions of Robin Hood. The traditional tales were often adapted for children, most notably in Howard Pyle's Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. These versions firmly stamp Robin as a staunch philanthropist, a man who takes from the rich to give to the poor.(Summary from Wikipedia) more

The Picture of Dorian Gray is the only published novel by Oscar Wilde, appearing as the lead story in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine on 20 June 1890, printed as the July 1890 issue of this magazine. Wilde later revised this edition, making several alterations, and adding new chapters; the amended version was published by Ward, Lock, and Company in April 1891. The novel tells of a young man named Dorian Gray, the subject of a painting by artist Basil Hallward. Basil is impressed by Dorian's beauty and becomes infatuated with him, believing his beauty is responsible for a new mode in his art. Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, a friend of Basil's, and becomes enthralled by Lord Henry's world view. Espousing a new hedonism, Lord Henry suggests the only things worth pursuing in life are beauty and fulfillment of the senses. Realizing that one day his beauty will fade, Dorian (whimsically) expresses a desire to sell his soul to ensure the portrait Basil has painted would age rather than himself. Dorian's wish is fulfilled, plunging him into debauched acts. The portrait serves as a reminder of the effect each act has upon his soul, with each sin displayed as a disfigurement of his form, or through a sign of aging. The Picture of Dorian Gray is considered a work of classic gothic fiction with a strong Faustian theme. (Summary by Wikipedia) more

A brief an engaging introduction which leads seamlessly into a reading of a classic short story. Get a short story a week into your life. more

Shipwrecked and castaway, Daniel DeFoe's hard-luck character is still the standard for 'growing where you're planted.' Captured by pirates, he makes his break in a small boat and undergoes desperate adventures before winning his way back to civilization. But Crusoe proves willing to chance his luck a second time when, after sweating his way to prosperity as a planter in Brazil, he undertakes a voyage that isn't needful… and is marooned on a small island off South America.Crusoe shows the value of single-minded labor as he pursues ways to feed, shelter, and clothe himself. His ardent wish is to escape his island why is it that the only people who come there are cannibals? But he spends more than two decades in isolation before acquiring a sidekick the man Friday you've probably heard of. And who would guess his way to salvation would depend on leading a last-ditch fight against a shipful of mutineers?For other castaway stories inspired by 'Robinson Crusoe', listen to 'The Swiss Family Robinson' (http://snipurl.com/swiss_family) and 'The Mysterious Island' (http://snipurl.com/mysterious_island). (Summary by Mark F. Smith) more

This personal anthology is my choice of speeches from Shakespeare that I enjoy reading (that I would like to have had by heart years ago!) and that seem to me to illustrate his unsurpassed use of language. He was a man who seemed to know everything about human nature and as Orson Welles said 'he speaks to everyone and we all claim him'. I know that it has been said that 'it is impossible to be a great Shakespearian actor without an idiosyncratic and extraordinary voice' and this may be so, but that does not preclude ordinary mortals from reading, hearing and enjoying Shakespeare. (Summary by Martin Clifton) more

Short-stories/fairy tales by H. C. Anderson, includes The Ice-maiden -- The Butterfly -- The Psyche -- The Snail and the Rose-treeThe Ice-Maiden: Written toward the end of Hans Christian Andersen's career, 'The Ice-Maiden' is the story of Rudy, a boy who's mother died in the ice of the mountains while he survives, saved by the kiss of the Ice-Maiden. The Ice-Maiden, jealous that the boy she claimed has escaped her embrace, pursues him through the rest of his life.The Butterfly: A butterfly searches for the perfect flower to be his bride.The Psyche: An artist creates a sculpture of a beautiful woman, to whom he confesses his love and is scorned.The Snail and the Rose-Tree: A Snail and a Rose-Tree have a discussion about the meaning of their lives, and play them out.(Summary by ElleyKat) more

Following Anne of Green Gables (1908), the book covers the second chapter in the life of Anne Shirley. This book follows Anne from the age of 16 to 18, during the two years that she teaches at Avonlea school. It includes many of the characters from Anne of Green Gables, as well as new ones like Mr. Harrison, Miss Lavendar Lewis, Paul Irving, and the twins Dora and Davy. (Summary by Wikipedia)Cast:Anne/Narrator: Arielle LipshawMrs. Lynde: Amy GramourMr. Harrison: AnthonyMarilla Cuthbert/Benjie Sloane/Anthony Pye: Elizabeth KlettDiana Barry: SallyMcJane Andrews: Elizabeth BarrGilbert Blythe: mbPaul Irving: anjieliuDora Keith: Miss AvariceDavy Keith: TriciaGCharlotta the Fourth: AnkaMiss Lavendar: RashadaGinger the Parrot/Lottie Wright/Gertie Pye: GabrielleCMr. Shearer/Lorenzo White: Peter BishopMrs. Donnell/Mrs. Peter Sloane/Priscilla Grant: E.LeeMiss Eliza Andrews/Mrs. Bell: MalaneMiss Catherine Andrews/Mrs. Allan: Sarah JenningsMrs. Theodore White/Mrs. Andrews: Janet248Mrs. James White/Mrs. Harrison: Beth ThomasLauretta White/Barbara Shaw/Annetta Bell/Carrie Sloane/Julia Bell/Miss Sarah Copp: Cheri GardnerPeter Sloane/Mr. Barry/Mr. Irving/Jimmy Andrews/Oliver Sloane/Willie White/Joe Sloane: David LawrenceNed Clay/John Henry Carter/St. Clair Donnell/Fred Wright: SkythrockJudson Parker/Harmon Andrews: Algy PugJerry Corcoran/Thomas Lynde: John SteigerwaldAudio edited by: Arielle Lipshaw more

A little girl (Trot) and her friend (Cap'n Bill) team up with a young boy named Button-Bright. Button-Bright had found a magical umbrella in his attic. He meets the kind girl and sailor and they are transported to a different world in the sky where he and his friends face many dangers. (Summary by francesb) more

Stories read aloud by Kid Pranavika for Kids. Enjoy the moral stories & fairy tales listening to Prana's voice. Also enjoy her own new stories. more

Dickson McCunn, a respectable, newly retired grocer, plans a walking holiday in the hills of south-west Scotland. He meets a young English poet and finds himself in the thick of a plot involving the kidnapping of a Russian princess, who is held prisoner in the rambling mansion, Huntingtower. This modern fairy-tale is also a gripping adventure story. (Summary by Simon Evers) more

A classic of early literary modernism, Lord Jim tells the story of a young 'simple and sensitive character' who loses his honor in a display of cowardice at sea -- and of his expiation of that sin against his own 'shadowy ideal of conduct' on the remote island of Patusan. The novel, written by Conrad for magazine serialization during an intense and chaotic ten months in 1899 and 1900, has, in the words of Thomas C. Moser, 'the rare distinction of being a masterpiece in two separate genres. It is at once an exotic adventure story of the Eastern seas in the popular tradition of Kipling and Stevenson and a complexly wrought 'art novel' in the tradition of Flaubert and James. (summary by Stewart Wills) more

An autobiography of Helen Keller published when the author was still in her early 20's. The narrative reveals how her mind developed and matured until she began her studies at Radcliffe College (Summary by George Cooney) more

The plot concerns two literally star-crossed lovers: Swithin St. Cleeve, a very young amateur astronomer, and Viviette Constantine, an unhappily married and abandoned woman 8 or 9 years his senior. Each night Swithin climbs the old tower of the title, in the grounds of the Constantine estate. Lady Constantine, whose husband has been absent some years on an extended hunting and exploring journey to Africa, joins the young man in his stargazing, and supports his astronomical ambitions by buying him equipment, though his dreams of scientific renown are disappointed. Their relationship then deepens and takes several twists and turns.(Summary by Tadhg) more

Little Men follows the life of Jo Bhaer and the students who live and learn at the Plumfield Estate School that she runs with her husband, Professor Bhaer. The mischievous children, whom she loves and cares for as her own, learn valuable lessons as they become proper gentlemen and ladies. We also get cameo appearances of almost all the characters found in the previous books, almost all of them happy and well. Meg's older two children, Demi and Daisy, also attend the school and so do Mr. Bhaer's German nephews Franz and Emil. (Summary by Wikipedia) more

Bertram Wooster is an English gentleman living in New York, who seems to get himself into all sorts of jams. It's up to his manservant Jeeves to come up with the plan to save the day from unpleasant houseguests, stingy uncles, broken hearts, and hard-partying aunts. (Summary by Mark Nelson) more

Persuasion is the last completed novel by Jane Austen and it was published posthumously in 1818. Readers have often connected Persuasion with Northanger Abbey as the setting of both stories is in Bath, a highly fashionable health resort with which the author was well acquainted. Another interesting point to note is that the title of 'Persuasion' was probably not envisioned by Jane but by her brother or sister. Another theory is that her two siblings had a great role in choosing the title of the story. Persuasion opens with a brief spotlight on the Elliot family. The reader gets to know that the Elliots are a well-respected family who are landowners. Lady Elliot died a long time ago leaving behind her three daughters - Anne, Elizabeth & Mary (married). Due to mounting debts, Sir Walter decided to move to a house in Bath with far less comforts. They were lucky to find tenants for their home as Admiral & Mrs. Croft were well-mannered people from the Navy. Anne is very excited to see Mrs. Croft as she is the sister of the man whom she loves dearly. But to understand the situation we need to go back 8 years when he she was happy to be betrothed to Frederick Wentworth, a naval officer. However, Anne broke off the engagement when she was persuaded to think that the match was unworthy by the widow Lady Russell, her mother's friend. Anne felt deep regret as a result of this decision and Wentworth too was bitter after seeing the unwanted interference of Lady Russell and the lack of fortitude on the part of Anne. Wentworth has now returned from the sea as a rich and successful captain and finds that Anne and her family are on the verge of a financial breakdown. He is also intrigued by the fact that his own sister is actually a tenant in the Elliot estate - Kellynch Hall. The tension of the story revolves around one pertinent question - will Wentworth be re-united in love? Readers of Persuasion will realize that even in her final work, Jane Austen has successfully managed to implement her skill for delicate observations on various social customs, love, marriage and the much touted English morals and manners. more

This is the classic story of Mowgli, the young boy raised by wolves in India: his escapades and adventures with his dear friends Bagheera the panther and Baloo the bear, his capture by the Monkey-People, his attempt at reintegration into human society, and his ultimate triumph over his avowed enemy the tiger Shere Khan. Included in the book is the story of the brave white seal, Kotick, and the tenacious young mongoose, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi who battled through the night to protect his human family from a pair of sly and viscous cobras. Packed with adventure and Jungle Law wisdom, this book has pervaded popular culture as the basis of many film and stage adaptations, including the popular Disney movie.Summary by Meredith Hughes and Phil Chenevert more

Come Rack! Come Rope! is a historical novel by the English priest and writer Robert Hugh Benson, a convert to Catholicism from Anglicanism. Set in Derbyshire at the time of the Elizabethan persecution of Catholics, when being or harboring a priest was considered treason and was punishable with death, it tells the story of two young lovers who give up their chance of happiness together, choosing instead to face imprisonment and martyrdom, so that 'God's will' may be done. The book was written nearly nine years after Benson's reception into the Catholic Church. The inspiration for the story comes from Dom Bede Camm's account of the recusant Fitzherbert family in Forgotten Shrines (1910), and from Benson's own visit in 1911 to Padley, home of the Fitzherberts, and scene of part of the novel, in order to preach at the annual pilgrimage there. The title of the book is taken from a letter of Saint Edmund Campion in which, after torture, he assured Catholics that he had revealed 'no things of secret, nor would he, come rack, come rope.' Most of the characters in the book are historical people; only the hero and heroine, their parents, and some minor characters are fictional. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia) more

LibriVox's Children's Short Works Collection 015: a collection of 15 short works for children in the public domain read by a variety of LibriVox members. more

LibriVox readers present the third collection of monologues from Shakespeare's plays. Containing 20 parts. - William Shakespeare (April 26, 1564 April 23, 1616) remains widely to be considered the single greatest playwright of all time. He wrote in such a variety of genres - tragedy, comedy, romance, &c - that there is always at least one monologue in each of his plays. Some of these teach a lesson, some simply characterize Shakespeare at his best, some are funny, some sad, but all are very moving. Each monologue will touch everybody differently. Some people will be so moved by a particular monologue that they will want to record it. (Summary by Shurtagal). more

A new theatrical audiobook performed by Jimmy Kavanagh and the Club Valentine Players, with music by Sam Killian. more

Listen to english short stories and poems from my voice. Warm regardsSoundarya

The Metamorphosis (in German, Die Verwandlung, 'The Transformation') is a novella by Franz Kafka, first published in 1915, and arguably the most famous of his works along with the longer works The Trial and The Castle. The story begins with a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, waking to find himself transformed into a giant 'monstrous vermin'. (Summary from Wikipedia) more

This is the sixth collection of our 'coffee break' series, involving public domain works that are between 3 and 15 minutes in length. These are great for work/study breaks, commutes, workouts, or any time you'd like to hear a whole story and only have a few minutes to devote to listening. The theme for Collection 006 is 'Food and Drink'! [Summary by Rosie] more

Along the coast of Maine are littered thousands of small islands. One such, named 'Pocket Island' by the locals was so called because of a pocket formed twice daily by the waning of the tides. The coast of Maine holds many secrets and legends, and Pocket Island was no exception.Subtitled 'A Story of Country Life in New England', this story holds such varied and fascinating glimpses into the lives of a few individuals, and is not limited to merely a story of ghosts, of war, of barn dances, friendship, tales of rum-runners, smugglers, and seafarers. Rather it is all of the above, and much more, all wrapped nicely around a story of love.Is Pocket Island truly haunted by ghosts of the past? The story begins ca. 1824, and takes us through the U.S. Civil War and beyond. (Introduction by Roger Melin) more

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is the original title of a novel written by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson that was first published in 1886. It is about a London lawyer named Gabriel John Utterson who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll and the misanthropic Edward Hyde. The novella's impact is such that it has become a part of the language, with the phrase 'Jekyll and Hyde' coming to mean a person who is vastly different in moral character from one situation to the next. Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was an immediate success and is one of Stevenson's best-selling works. Stage adaptations began in Boston and London within a year of its publication and it has gone on to inspire scores of major film and stage performances. ( Summary by Wikipedia ) more

A collection of stories and poems for children by British novelist, journalist, and playwright Lucy Lane Clifford, better known during her lifetime as Mrs W.K. Clifford. She was famous with her mathematician husband for Sunday salons which attracted both scientists and literati. She was born in 1846 and died in 1929.Summary by Val Grimm more

matilda

Reading out classics.

A novel by Susanna Clarke

I read stories for people when they can't handle themselves with their life.

Joseph Rudyard Kipling (December 30, 1865 January 18, 1936) was an English author and poet, born in India, and best known today for his children's books, including The Jungle Book, Just So Stories, and Puck of Pook's Hill; his novel, Kim; his poems, including 'Mandalay', 'Gunga Din', and 'If—'; and his many short stories, including 'The Man Who Would Be King' and the collections Life's Handicap, The Day's Work, and Plain Tales from the Hills. He is regarded as a major 'innovator in the art of the short story'; his children's books are enduring classics of children's literature; and his best work speaks to a versatile and luminous narrative gift. Dan and Una met Puck last summer, in Puck of Pook's Hill. This summer, they meet him again - and several individuals from different periods in history, who, while generally not famous themselves, tell their tales of meeting Queen Elizabeth, Francis Drake, George Washington, and other well-known historical figures. Sadly, Dan and Una forget these encounters as soon as they are over, but the reader can enjoy them for years to come! (Summary by Wikipedia and Catharine Eastman) more

Robin Hood is a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for 'robbing from the rich and giving to the poor', assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his 'Merry Men'. Traditionally Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes. The origin of the legend is claimed by some to have stemmed from actual outlaws, or from ballads or tales of outlaws. (Introduction by Wikipedia) more

This is a children's version of Jonathan Swift's novel Gulliver's Travels, from the Told to the Children Series (published in 1910). The children's adventure story covers Gulliver's visits to the lands of Lilliput and Brobdingnag. (Summary by Laurie Anne Walden) more

The Story of a Stuffed Elephant is... well, the story of a Stuffed Elephant and the little boy who owns him, and his sister, and all their adventures. A delightful children's book by the author of The Bobbsey Twins series. (Summary by Vlooi and Kara) more

A charming collection of nine short stories for children with a moral weaved in each. These were originally published as separate booklets, under the series title 'Stories for God's Little Ones'. (Summary by Maria Therese) more

Ms Nomy will read your favorite stories. While you and Mr Ishi will listen along! ????????Please support our channel by sending donations to Cash App $NomyJackson or paypal ccryder1968@aol.com more

Listen and be transported as I read you some lovely stories. ??

A charming collection of short stories and verses for young children. First published by the Bangor, Maine Kindergarten Association. (Summary by Lynne Thompson) more

LibriVox volunteers bring you 6 different recordings of The Lie by Sir Walter Raleigh.

Chaya Srivatsa brings you some classic rhymes with interesting stories, messages and lessons to be derived from it. Just the thing little ones need to hear before bed time. more

Romeo and Juliet is perhaps the most famous of Shakespeare's plays and is thought to be the most famous love story in Western history. It concerns the fate of two very young lovers who would do anything to be togetherThe Montagues and the Capulets of Verona, Italy, are in the midst of a long-standing feud when Romeo Montague drops in on a masquerade party at the Capulets'. While there he meets and woos the daughter of the house, Juliet. She likewise returns his passion, and their secret meeting later that night on her bedroom balcony begins a series of tragic events that no one could have foretold. (Summary by Becky Crackel) more

Sharing stories to feed your child's imagination

A small play in three acts. A kind of comic tragedy. The plot tells the story of the interaction between two very different families in rural England just after the end of the First World War. Squire Hillcrist lives in the manor house where his family has lived for generations. He has a daughter, Jill, who is in her late teens; and a wife, Amy, as well as servants and retainers. He is 'old money', although his finances are at a bit of low ebb. The other family is the 'nouveau riche' Hornblowers, headed by the single-minded and rich industrialist Hornblower, who throws old retainers the Jackmans out of their home (much to the Squire's disgust), and who plans to surround the Hillcrist's rural estate with factories. (Summary by catrose and Wikipedia) Cast:Hillcrist: AnthonyAmy, or Mrs H.: Amanda FridayJill: April GonzalesDawker: Charlotte DuckettHornblower: Delmar H. DolbierCharles: Chuck WilliamsonChloe: CaprishaPageRolf: Chris MarcellusFellows: Aidan BrackAnna; Auctioneer: MJ FranckMr. Jackman: TriciaGMrs. Jackman: Jeannie TiradoFirst Stranger: KristingjSecond Stranger: Elizabeth KlettNarrator: SallyMcEditors: Charlotte Duckett & CaprishaPage more

The Importance of Being Earnest is a classic comedy of manners in which two flippant young men, in order to impress their respected beloveds, pretend that their names are 'Ernest,' which both young ladies believe confers magical qualities on the possessor. It was first performed for the public on February 14, 1895 at the St. James' Theatre in London, and is regarded by many critics and scholars as being the wittiest play in the English language. (Summary from Wikipedia.org)Characters:John Worthing, J.P. - Read by John GonzalezAlgernon Moncrieff - Read by Gord MackenzieRev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. - Read by Chris GoringeMerriman, Butler - Read by Peter YearsleyLane, Manservant - Read by Hugh McGuireLady Bracknell - Read by Kristen McQuillinHon. Gwendolen Fairfax - Read by DeanaCecily Cardew - Read by Kara ShallenbergMiss Prism, Governess - Read by SurekaNarrator - Read by Betsie BushProject Editor - Paula Berinstein more

Librivox's Children's Short Works Collection 012: a collection of 15 short works for children in the public domain read by a variety of Librivox members. more

Young Bart Steele's father is dead. A mysterious stranger tells him his life is in danger, and hands him a ticket aboard a Lhari star cruiser to an unknown destination. He gets on, not knowing where he is going, or why... A fantastic kid's adventure from sci-fi master Marion Zimmer Bradley. ( Summary by Mark Nelson ) more

ASMR - booking reading/story telling to help you fall asleep at the whispering sound of a beautiful story.

This is a collection of the following short stories: The Ninth Vibration -- The Interpreter : A Romance of the East -- The Incomparable Lady : A Story of China with a Moral -- The Hatred of the Queen : A Story of Burma -- Fire of Beauty -- The Building of the Taj Majal -- How Great is the Glory of Kwannon! -- The Round-Faced Beauty. Many of them are romantic, some of them are fantasy and others are occult fiction.(Introduction by Linda Andrus) more

Do you love classic literature but never seem to get enough time to skim through all of it? From the complex languages to the number of pages, literature before wasn't as simple as it is now, was it? Well, don't worry,we're here with Pocket Lit, your weekly fix of classical literature to ease this a bit. Every week, we'll present a story from notable English writers in 25-minute short episodes. So tune in every Sunday and enjoy! more

Modernization is about making classic stories and such understandable in modern English. Cover art photo provided by Annie Spratt on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@anniespratt more

On the surface, this short play is a slice-of-life story about a murder investigation in the rural United States. However, it is also a story about the relationships between men and women, husbands and wives, and the often-overlooked 'trifles' which can say so much about a person's life. (Summary by Arielle Lipshaw)Cast:George Henderson (County Attorney): mbHenry Peters (Sheriff): GueroLewis Hale (a neighboring farmer): AnthonyMrs. Peters: Arielle LipshawMrs. Hale: Elizabeth KlettNarrator: David LawrenceAudio edited by: Arielle Lipshaw more

A six year-old girl named Mary spends Christmas vacation with her parents in the Arizona desert of 1901 or thereabouts. ( Summary by BellonaTimes ) more

The tale of John Peerybingle, the good-hearted carrier, and his young wife Mary ('Dot'), interwoven with the story of poor toymaker Caleb Plummer, his beloved blind daughter Bertha, and the harsh old toy merchant Tackleton, who is due to marry May Fielding, a childhood friend of Dot. Comic relief is provided by Tilly Slowboy, the disaster-prone nursemaid of John and Dot's baby, and Boxer, the family dog.The cricket who chirps on the family hearth assumes fairy form to save the day when disaster looms in the form of a mysterious stranger. Sentimental? Certainly - but this, the third (1845) of Dickens' short Christmas books, is as charming and irresistible as its predecessors A Christmas Carol (1843) and The Chimes (1844).The novella is subdivided into chapters called 'Chirps', similar to the 'Quarters' of The Chimes or the 'Staves' of A Christmas Carol. (Introduction by Ruth Golding) more

Sara Crewe, an exceptionally intelligent and imaginative student at Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies, is devastated when her adored, indulgent father dies. (Summary by AngelFirePixie) more

This small collection puts together stories by Kipling that feature the characters from Stalky & Co. but which for some reason were not included in the book Stalky & Co. Of these the more interesting is the first, 'Stalky', which introduces the characters and is full of the humour and understanding of adolescent males and their timeless jostling with adult powers that characterise the stories in Stalky & Co. 'Stalky' was the first of the tales to be written, and was published in 1898, so it is difficult to understand how it came to be omitted from the book in 1899.'Regulus', while also full of humour, is a more difficult read in an age when a 'proper' classical education is no longer something widely experienced.There are also other stories that cannot be included here because they are still in copyright:- 'The United Idolators' and 'The Propagation of Knowledge' in Debits and Credits (1926)- 'The Satisfaction of a Gentleman' in The Complete Stalky & Co (1929).There is also another, 'Scylla and Charybdis', unpublished in Kipling's day and only made available recently, that although not copyright in the USA, cannot be included because we do not have access to the manuscript, only an edited edition (which itself is subject to copyright).If you enjoyed Stalky & Co you will probably enjoy these additional stories.(Introduction by Tim Bulkeley) more