This week's Tale is the charming fantasy 'The Velveteen Rabbit' by Margery Williams. Beginning on a Christmas morning in the early 20th century, this story needs so little introduction, it's probably best just to pull up a chair, sit back and relax, as you imagine the excitement of a childhood Christmas morning. If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this link helps support the po...
Dec 23, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 53
We return to Dunwich for Part 2 of Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror" Last time, we were introduced to the Whateley family in the isolated village of Dunwich. Something is going on at their farmhouse which scares all visitors. Young Wilbur Whateley is horribly deformed, and his mother has disappeared, but strange noises are heard in the farmhouse and something seems to be... growing in there. Old Man Whateley has just died, but he has left Wilbur with a mission, for which he will need to find a co...
Nov 25, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 49
This week, we return to the Cthulhu mythos. H. P Lovecraft's seminal creation has been featured in a fair few episodes of The Well Told Tale and this third standalone tale is similar in tone to "The Call of Cthulhu" and "At the Mountains of Madness." Something unspeakable and horrible lies dormant under the surface of polite society, just as much as in the wild places of this world. But perhaps that something unspeakable is not waiting to be awakened; perhaps it is awake, and feeding... This is ...
Nov 18, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 48
This week's tale is a sci-fi short story from legendary Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes was not his only bombastic hero, and this short story concerns another of his characters, Professor Challenger. He was first introduced in The Lost World , and features in a number of Conan Doyle science fiction stories. He may possess a similar analytical mind to Holmes, and although he is considered one of the greatest scientific minds in his world, Challenger is a brute, a huge spec...
Nov 11, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 47
This week, we return to Sleepy Hollow for Part 2 of Washington Irving's beloved gothic Tale. We have met the cast of characters - school master Ichabod Crane, the object of his affection Katrina Van Tassel, and his rival for her attention Brom Bones. We have also heard the famed local legend of the Headless Horseman. Our protagonists are gathered together at a fabulous party at the Van Tassel's house. There has been much food and dancing, but now the mood has turned towards sharing of frightenin...
Nov 04, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 46
To celebrate Halloween, we return to the work of Washington Irving with his gothic horror classic "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". Published 200 years ago, this classic Tale has been an inspiration to many since appearing in the collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent , even getting the Disney treatment. But with All Hallow's Eve lurking between both parts of this Tale, we return to the source, in all its horrifying, bloodcurdling detail... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, ...
Oct 28, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 45
We return with another short story from the Hyborian age. If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this link helps support the podcast): Conan: The Barbarian - Complete Collection - https://amzn.to/341JWWZ The Complete Chronicles of Conan: Centenary Edition - https://amzn.to/3dCvOXn Films Conan the Barbarian (1982) - https://amzn.to/3nMl2lL Red Sonja (1985) - https://amzn.to/2SQ2xPj...
Oct 14, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Today's Tale is a charming story by E. Nesbit. She is perhaps best known for "The Railway Children" and her more fantastical novels such as "Five Children and It," and is widely regarded as the first modern children's author. "The Book of Beasts" is the first story in a collection called "The Book of Dragons," which we may well revisit in the future. But for now, join us in the library as we discover what secrets the Book of Beasts is hiding... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please...
Sep 30, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 41
In the second part of our reading of Sinbad the Sailor, we hear his retelling of his last four voyages. He's already faced being lost at sea (twice), giant birds, ogres and found fabulous treasures. What wonders await him on his final four voyages? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this link helps support the podcast): The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor - https://amzn.to/...
Aug 05, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 34
This time, we return to the Thousand and One Nights to hear the Tale of Sinbad the Sailor, and his Seven Voyages. Interestingly, it wasn't in the earliest editions of the collection known as the Arabian Nights, and so likely developed as a story in its own right, but thanks to Galland's famous translation, this and some of the other famous stories became included in the collection as a whole. Sinbad has captured the imagination for centuries, so join us as we learn of what transpired on his firs...
Jul 29, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Today's Tale is a whimsical short story from renowned Victorian writer, Oscar Wilde. Best known for his plays, Wilde did write a number of short stories, including this charming morality tale-within-a-tale. Or is it a critique of morality tales? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this link helps support the podcast): Oscar Wilde Short Stories - https://amzn.to/3eJRBLn The Fair...
Jul 22, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 32
The final part of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. Dorothy has accidentally succeeded in slaying the Wicked Witch and her companions have been 'rewarded' with their sought after brains, heart and courage, but the Wizard of Oz is stumped at how to keep his promise to her. Will Dorothy ever be able to get back to Kansas? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this link...
Jul 15, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Part Four of our reading of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. Our intrepid crew have finally made it to the Emerald City and secured an audience with the great and terrible Oz. He has agreed, in his many forms, to the requests of Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion, but on one condition: they must kill the Wicked Witch of the West. Will they? And can they...? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/th...
Jul 08, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Part Three of our reading of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. Dorothy and the Scarecrow have been joined by the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion on their quest to see the Wizard of Oz, but they have run into danger - a deadly poppy field that could send Dorothy and the Lion to sleep forever. With some quick thinking, the Tin Woodman and Scarecrow have rescued little Dorothy, but how will they save the Lion? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: h...
Jul 01, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In our last episode, Dorothy was given the Wicked Witch of the East's silver shoes and embarked on the long journey to reach the Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City, as it seems he's the only person powerful enough to magic her home. On the way, she liberated the Scarecrow, who decided to join her and ask the Wizard for some brains. Who will they meet next in their adventure? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (bu...
Jun 24, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Our new Tale is the "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. Thanks to the classic movie, it's a story most people are familiar, but there are some interesting differences between that and the book it was based on. Baum's idea for the book was a modern fairy tale, something to be simply enjoyed by the children of the day. So, in that spirit, let us journey to Oz with Dorothy and Toto... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale B...
Jun 17, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 27
The second part Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, "Rappaccini's Daughter." Our protagonist, Giovanni, is falling in love with Beatrice, but something is amiss. Why are all the plants in Rappaccini's garden so poisonous? And what secret is Beatrice hiding? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this link helps support the podcast): Rappaccini's Daughter - https://amzn.to/2MpVFoA Y...
Jun 10, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 26
This week, we have the first part of a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Rappaccini's Daughter." Hawthorne is probably best known for his novel "The Scarlet Letter," but this story has inspired many other works since its first appearance in 1844, from songs and opera to Batman villain Poison Ivy. In this first part, we discover Rappaccini's garden and his mysterious daughter, Beatrice... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewellto...
Jun 03, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 25
The final part of our reading of 'The Invisible Man' by H. G. Wells. The Invisible Man, Griffin, has been relaying his extraordinary tale and scientific method to his old university acquaintance, Dr Kemp, and it is beginning to get darker. This is a man who has left sanity behind, and Kemp is trapped in his own house with the unseen danger. What is Griffin's plan, and can Kemp stop him? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, and get access to exclusive Tales, please visit us on Patreon: ht...
May 20, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 23
The fifth part of our reading of 'The Invisible Man' by H. G. Wells. We now know that the Invisible Man is called Griffin. He has taken shelter at the house of an old acquaintance, Doctor Kemp, and Kemp has persuaded him to share his story. But is all as it seems...? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, and get access to exclusive Tales, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this link helps support the podcast): The...
May 13, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 22
The fourth part of our reading of 'The Invisible Man' by H. G. Wells. We last saw Thomas Marvel, the Invisible Man's unwilling accomplice, racing toward the village of Burdock. He's run off with the money the pair stole, but also the Invisible Man's notebooks. These appear to hold the key to the Invisible Man's predicament, and he'll stop at nothing to get them back... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, and get access to exclusive Tales, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon....
May 06, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 21
The third part of our reading of 'The Invisible Man' by H. G. Wells. The Invisible Man has been discovered for what he is, and he was forced to flee without clothes or his precious books. He has persuaded a homeless man, Thomas Marvel, to assist him in his coming schemes. We are about to hear the perspective of the villagers of Iping. If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, and get access to exclusive Tales, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying...
Apr 29, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 20
The second part of our reading of 'The Invisible Man' by H. G. Wells. The Invisible Man has arrived in the village of Iping and taken a room. He is frustrated, trying to find a cure for his invisibility and has had to resort to stealing money to survive. Meanwhile, his disguise is wearing thin with the villagers - how long can he stay invisible to them? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, and get access to exclusive Tales, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldt...
Apr 22, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 19
This week, we return to science fiction legend H. G. Wells and begin a new Tale, 'The Invisible Man.' Wells popularised and invented so many of our beloved sci-fi sub-genres, including time travel and alien warfare (both of which we've covered in previous Tales), and here he tackles the idea of super powers. Originally serialised in 1897, 'The Invisible Man' invites the reader to wonder: What would you do, if no one could see you? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, and get access to ex...
Apr 15, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 18
This week, our Tale is 'Rip Van Winkle' by Washington Irving. While it draws on a variety of old stories and fairy tales which give it a timeless quality, it was written in 1819, and although it is set in the Catskills, Irving had never actually been to them before he penned his tale. If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, and get access to exclusive Tales, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this link helps support...
Apr 08, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 17
The fourth and final part of our reading of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll. Alice has shared tea with the Mad Hatter and played flamingo croquet with the Queen of Hearts. She still has time to fit in one or two adventures, including witnessing a trial regarding some missing tarts... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, and get access to exclusive Tales, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this...
Apr 01, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 16
The third part of our reading of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll. After a number of adventures and some confusing advice, Alice has left the Cheshire Cat behind and is heading off to a certain March Hare's for tea... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this link helps support the podcast): Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass - ht...
Mar 25, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 15
The second part of our reading of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll. Alice has fallen down the rabbit hole and spent some time growing larger and smaller, met many talking animals, and she will shortly meet a well-known cat and caterpillar... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying anything on Amazon through this link helps support the podcast): Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Throug...
Mar 18, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Today we start a new Tale, Lewis Carroll's beloved classic, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Since its publication in 1865 it has never been out of print. Perhaps it's the absurdity of it all that has spawned and influenced so many works of art, from songs to pictures to ballet to film; or perhaps it is characters such as the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit and the Queen of Hearts that readers never tire of? Join me as we head down the rabbit hole for our first episode... If you'...
Mar 11, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Today's Tale is another Edgar Allan Poe short story, The Masque of the Red Death. This is one of his classic works of gothic horror, focused on death and mortality. Some commentators believe it to be an allegory, or a meditation on the human condition. Whatever Poe's intentions, it is a truly chilling tale. If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Or contribute to our War Chest here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-well-told-...
Mar 04, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 12
