Tonight, we’ll read the opening to “Mr. Midshipman Easy,” an 1836 novel by Frederick Marryat, a retired captain in the Royal Navy. The novel is set during the Napoleonic Wars, in which Marryat himself served with distinction. This episode first aired in February of 2021.

At fourteen, the naive Jack Easy leaves the luxury of his family estate in England and sails into a world of adventure aboard the sloop of war HMS Harpy. At first, Jack finds it hard to bear the discipline of naval life and is always getting himself into trouble. But soon he is bravely taming a band of mutinous seamen as the Harpy chases Spanish ships on the Mediterranean.

This episode is dedicated to our many listeners who have requested Roald Dahl stories. Alas, he is not in the public domain yet for us to read. However, this particular author was listed as a literary influence on Dahl.
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Mr. Midshipman Easy

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Stories for Kids

Tonight, we’ll read the opening to “The Patagonia” a story written by Henry James and published in 1888. Like many of James’s other stories, its origins were inspired by an anecdote relayed to him over the dinner table. It features a young woman on a long sea voyage going to meet the man to whom she is betrothed.
This story also exemplifies two themes James is well known for. One being the contrasts between old and new worlds of America and England. The other is of the ‘new type’ of woman or the ‘self-made girl’ who pushes against the boundaries of social convention – at a cost to herself.

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The Patagonia

Tonight, we shall read the next part to “Persuasion”, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, a twenty-seven year old Englishwoman, whose family moves in order to lower their expenses and reduce their debt, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife.

In the last episode, Admiral and Mrs. Croft visit Kellynch to the great satisfaction of all parties. The deal of the renting of Kellynch Hall is settled. Mary complains that she is feeling unwell and Anne must stay with her instead of heading straight to Bath with Sir Walter and Elizabeth. Anne is pleased with the opportunity to be useful and not go to Bath so soon. Lady Russell and Anne share concern that Mrs. Clay plans to travel to Bath with Sir Walter and Elizabeth. She warns Elizabeth of the danger that their father may fall for the young woman, but Elizabeth rejects the notion as ridiculous and offensive. When Anne visits Mary, she finds her in a sour mood as is usual. Anne patiently perseveres in cheering up her sister, and the two take a walk to visit the Musgroves.

We will pick up at the beginning of chapter 6.

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Persuasion pt. 5

Tonight, we’ll read the classic Norwegian folk tale “Soria Moria Castle” originally written by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, and collected in “The Red Fairy Book”.

In this story, a poor, lazy son named Halvor is offered the opportunity to go sailing at sea. A storm blows the ship far off course. Halvor eventually finds a mysterious land and starts his journey towards a castle.

According to legend, the path to the castle is not clearly marked, and the journey is solitary because all people are different and therefore cannot reach the goal in the same manner. One of the most common values expressed is the idea of a common person rising above the circumstances of his birth and finding his own happiness and success.

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Soria Moria Castle

Tonight, we’ll read a section from “At Home In the Smokies”, a History Handbook for Great Smoky Mountains National Park produced by the National Park Service and written by Wilma Dykeman and James Stokely.

The Great Smoky Mountains, a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, are renowned for their breathtaking beauty and rich history. Straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, they boast the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the United States. This majestic area draws millions of visitors each year with its ancient mountains, diverse ecosystems, and vibrant display of wildflowers, which bloom year-round.
The Smokies are named for the natural fog that often hangs over the range, appearing as large smoke plumes from a distance. This mist is caused by vegetation exhaling volatile organic compounds, a phenomenon that adds to the mystical quality of the landscape.
For tonight’s selection we’ll be reading the section titled “Birth of a Park”

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At Home in the Smokies

Tonight, we’ll read the next part to “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” a classic science fiction adventure novel by French writer Jules Verne.
In the last episode, Arronax is puzzled over the direction in which the Nautilus is heading, wondering if Nemo is aiming to reach the South Pole. They are so far south that there are only a few hours of darkness per night. The Nautilus navigates through icebergs, and Arronax sees cities in their “surprising” shapes.As the submarine progresses, ice forms over its surface, and Arronax realizes that they have become trapped in a kind of vice. Nemo however, is confident that it will come loose, and that they will be able to go even further south. The Nautilus descends into the icy depths of the sea.

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Mr. Midshipman Easy

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