Last week, our heroes Professor Aronnax, his manservant Conseil, and master harpooner Ned Land found themselves captured and brought aboard a mysterious submarine - the same machine which they realise has been behind the terror on the seas in recent months. Now, quite literally in the belly of the beast, will they finally get some answers? Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to you): Books by our favourite ...
Aug 31, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 135
Last week, we began our voyage '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' with our narrator, Professor Pierre Aronnax, chasing what he suspects is an undiscovered narwhal of enormous size and strength, causing chaos on the high seas. The sailors aboard the steamship Abraham Lincoln have just sighted something, and master harpooner Ned Land is moving into position, much to Aronnax's excitement. Could this be the mysterious creature they have been searching for? Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org sho...
Aug 24, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 134
We embark on an epic voyage with this week's Tale, plunging "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" by master of early sci-fi, Jules Verne. This fantastical Tale originally appeared in a serialised form over 1869 to 1870 in a fortnightly periodical, and was subsequently published as a novel the year later. It has been an enduring classic ever since. We begin our story with speculation about a great sea creature causing shipwrecks across the world - what could be the true nature of these calamities? Books...
Aug 17, 2022•55 min•Ep. 133
This week, we have a classic fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm, 'Hansel and Gretel.' As with many of Grimm's fairy tales, this story most likely came from the oral tradition of storytelling in the region, before the brothers wrote them down and widened their appeal. In the spirit of this tradition, it is perhaps not surprising that the brothers amended their tales in subsequent editions of their books, meaning this version may contain some elements with which you are less familiar... Books - (b...
Aug 03, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 132
Last week, we left Murilo, a nobleman, running into a problem. He planned to free Conan, and bargained with him to rid him of the Red Priest, Nabonidus, his rival for power in this unnamed city state, but due to a misunderstanding, he believes that Conan has failed to escape and carry out his task. Conan, however, has freed himself, and true to his word, is on his way to the house of Nabonidus, where Murilo has already entered, and things have not gone to plan... If you'd like to support The Wel...
Jul 13, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 129
We return this week with another visit to the Hyborian Age with a Conan Tale from Robert E. Howard. 'Rogues in the House' is earlier in Conan's chronology - he's still very much a barbarian, but here we see glimpses of his own moral code that he lives by. Expect gore, but beautifully written gore... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also...
Jul 06, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 128
This week brings us the finale of 'The Marvelous Land of Oz' by L. Frank Baum. Our heroes are stuck in a jackdaw nest, but they have a plan to fly and meet Glinda, the Good Witch. If anyone can sort out this mess, it's Glinda...isn't it? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to you): Books by our f...
Jun 29, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 127
We return to Oz again this week, where Tip has amassed quite a group to challenge the invaders for the Scarecrow's crown. Mombie, the cruel witch, has tried her best to stop them reaching the Emerald City, but has been foiled with help from old friend, the Queen of the Field Mice. Now Tip, Jack Pumpkinhead, the wooden Saw-Horse, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the magnified Wogglebug approach the city gates, but will they be able to reclaim the throne for the Scarecrow? If you'd like to suppo...
Jun 22, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 126
We return to Oz this week, where our heroes have been driven out of the Emerald City by an army of girls who have deposed the king, our old friend, the Scarecrow from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz". They are on their way to get help from the Tin Man, now the emperor of a nearby kingdom. But what dangers will befall them on their journey? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop ...
Jun 15, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Last week, we began our second journey into the Marvelous Land of Oz, and met Tip and his inadvertent companion, Jack Pumpkinhead. These characters may seem familiar if you have ever seen Disney's 1985 film 'Return to Oz', a much darker sequel to the classic 'The Wizard of Oz'. Jack Pumpkinhead plays a pivotal role in the film, which takes elements of this Oz story and the next in the series, 'Ozma of Oz,' and throws in some other ideas to create a film that, while not well known, retains a cult...
Jun 08, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 124
This week brings us another Tale, and magical sequel, "The Marvelous Land of Oz," by L. Frank Baum. Having written "The Wizard of Oz," a Tale we have previously told, Baum was frequently contacted by excited children asking for more stories about the Land of Oz. He decided to finally give them what they wanted, with this sequel detailing the further adventures of the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman. What other characters will we meet in this instalment? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale,...
Jun 01, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Our protagonist has been learning of some terrible events that, if town drunkard Zadok Allen is to be believed, explain some of the strange goings-on at Innsmouth. Fantastical tales of creatures from the deep, interbreeding with humans, sacrifices to the Old Ones... could any of it be true? Our hero knows he needs to get out of Innsmouth, but will the residents let him? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buyin...
May 18, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 121
This week, we return to the mysterious and decaying town of Innsmouth. Our narrator has spied town drunkard, Zadok Allen, and has heard that the old man might know a lot about the town's dark history,. However, he gets the sense that Innsmouth folk don't like outsiders talking to old Zadok for too long... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel whil...
May 11, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 120
This week, we start a new Tale from one of our favourite writers, H. P. Lovecraft. 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth' was the only novella published in Lovecraft's lifetime, and although it forms a central part of his Cthulhu Mythos, Lovecraft didn't actually like it when it was finished, and it was only published after his friend August Derleth got involved. The original run of books was a mere 200 bound copies, and have become a sought-after rarity in collector's circles. If you'd like to support The...
May 03, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 119
We return for the final part of 'Alice Through the Looking Glass'. Alice has almost made it to the last row of the Looking Glass Land chessboard, where Alice will apparently become a Queen. What does this mean for her? And will she ever get home? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to you): Books...
Apr 27, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 118
This week, we return to Alice trying to navigate her way through Looking Glass Land. After successfully dealing with Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, Alice has moved on, and will shortly encounter Humpty Dumpty and the Lion and the Unicorn. How will Alice deal with these colourful characters? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting...
Apr 20, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 117
This week, we continue with Alice's journey through the Looking Glass Land, where everything is backwards, or opposite, or just plain odd. The theme of opposites seems to have been important for Lewis Carroll - Alice's journey to Wonderland began outside on a warm spring day, whereas her travels in Looking Glass Land began inside on a cold autumn one. The theme of playing cards was pervasive in Wonderland, whereas Looking Glass Land features chess. Now we meet Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee. What w...
Apr 13, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 116
This week, we begin a new Tale in a familiar world - we return with Alice to Wonderland in 'Through The Looking Glass' by Lewis Carroll. Although the first book, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' is often most remembered, it was actually after this sequel was published that interest in Wonderland took off. Expect strange occurrences, baffling logic, fantastical characters and maybe even a Jabberwocky... If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon...
Apr 06, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 115
This week, we have the dramatic final part of "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Dorian's conscience has been starting to prick at him, but a more pressing danger awaits him. James Vane, the brother of actress Sybil Vane, who Dorian abandoned so many years ago, has finally tracked him down, hell bent on vengeance. What will James Vane do when he catches Dorian? Will Dorian's conscience win out? And what will happen to the picture of Dorian Gray? If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please vis...
Mar 16, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Last week, Dorian committed an act he cannot come back from - he murdered Basil in cold blood after showing him his portrait, the true face of his depravity. After all these years of degradation, does he still have a conscience to trouble him? 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 Picture of Dorian Gray - https://amzn.to/31UykXq The Compl...
Mar 09, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Last week, Dorian locked away his portrait from prying eyes, and we learned of his indulgences over the years. Free from the visible signs of his degradation, he is happy to indulge every vice and hide behind his ever-present beauty, but how long can he keep up this pretence? 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 Picture of Dorian Gray - ...
Mar 02, 2022•57 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Dorian is getting crueller by the day, and with every transgression depicting itself in the painted face of his portrait, Dorian has decided to store the canvas away where it can't be viewed accidentally. But his own face remains untainted. What will Dorian do, knowing that his misdeeds are never going to be visible to others? 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...
Feb 23, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Last week was a watershed moment for the innocence of Dorian's youth. His idealised love for Sybil Vane ended in terrible circumstances and now, Dorian's soul has been irrevocably changed. So too, has his portrait. To Dorian's disbelief, the corruption that has crept in under Lord Henry's tutelage has not changed his perfect beauty, but his picture now bares a cruel smile. He has shielded the portrait from view, but what will he do when a friend wants to see it? If you'd like to support The Well...
Feb 16, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 108
This week, we return to Victorian London's seedy theatrical world to learn more about the relationship between Dorian Gray and young actress Sybil Vane. Dorian is keen to show Sybil and her sublime talent off to his friends Lord Henry and Basil, and all seems well. However, this is where our Tale takes a dark turn... 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 t...
Feb 09, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Dorian has been enjoying living life away from its sheltered beginning. Following Lord Henry's teachings, he has been going regularly to the theatre over the last several weeks and has met - and got engaged to - the actress Sybil Vane, who refers to him as Prince Charming. Is all this moving a bit too fast? 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...
Feb 02, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 106
Last week, we saw the completion of Basil's portrait of Dorian Gray. Lord Henry Wotton has taken the impressionable youth under his wing, much to Basil's dismay. Lord Henry was taken with the picture, which he mused had captured Dorian at the peak of his beauty, and opined on how unfortunate it was that the picture would stay perfect while Dorian himself degenerated with age, and not the other way around. Leaving philosophical musings aside, Lord Henry has determined it's high time Dorian got a ...
Jan 26, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Last time, we met Lord Henry Wotton, a hedonistic aristocrat, and his friend Basil Hallward, an artist who is infatuated with his muse, Dorian Gray. They discussed Dorian, a youth whose beauty has made a considerable impression on Basil, but he is reticent to let Lord Henry meet him, as he considers he might prove a corrupting influence on young Dorian. However, Lord Henry is about to get his way, and the eponymous portrait of Dorian Gray is about to be completed... If you'd like to support The ...
Jan 19, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 104
We start the New Year with a new Tale from one of the English language's greatest writers, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. Wilde produced many plays, poems and short stories in his illustrious career, but this is his only novel, or rather, novella. He was feted in late Victorian society for his biting wit, but this story holds a much darker mirror up to the society he satirised so well. If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/...
Jan 12, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 103
This Christmas week, we have a charming story from one of the world's greatest writers, Leo Tolstoy, called 'Where Love Is, God Is'. Arguably best known for his epic novels such as 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina', Tolstoy did write a number of short stories, including this one, first published in 1885. This Tale is known by a few different names in the English translation, including 'Martin the Cobbler' for its protagonist, a humble shoe maker trying to become a more virtuous man. If you'd l...
Dec 22, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 102
To celebrate our 100th episode, we asked our high tier Patrons to choose a poem, and they have selected Samuel Taylor Coleridge's masterwork "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." A Tale of life, death, tragedy, and consequences, this is an expansive story as told to an unwitting wedding guest by the ancient mariner himself. If you'd like to support The Well Told Tale, and get access to exclusive Patron-only Tales, please visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying a...
Dec 08, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 100
