Classics Out Loud

Mary is stuck indoors on a rainy day and decides to explore the large, mysterious house. She wanders through long corridors and empty rooms, filled with old portraits, tapestries, and strange furniture. As she examines the collection of ivory elephants in one room, she comes across a family of mice.

Later, she hears a distant, muffled cry, echoing through the walls. When the housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock, finds Mary out of her room and exploring the house, she angrily brings her back to Mary's room. Upset and frustrated, Mary vows to continue investigating the strange sounds she has heard in the house.

Our protagonist Mary continues to explore the gardens and the outdoor surroundings of Misselthwaite Manor. She's intrigued by the mysterious locked garden, which she believes to be the source of her newfound robin friend. During her time outside, she begins to feel healthier, happier, and more alive than ever before.

Martha, the housemaid, becomes a more prominent character in this chapter. Both she and Mary get along better now that Mary is warming up to her new life in England. One evening, Mary asks Martha about the locked garden and why Mr. Craven hates it so much. Martha reluctantly shares the story of how the garden belonged to Mrs. Craven, who tragically died after falling from a tree in the garden. This event caused Mr. Craven to lock up the garden and forbid anyone from talking about it.

As Mary and Martha sit by the fire, Mary hears a crying sound that seems to be coming from inside the house. Despite Martha's insistence that it's just the wind or a scullery maid with a toothache, Mary is convinced that it is the sound of a child crying. This new mystery deepens the intrigue of Misselthwaite Manor and leaves listeners eager to learn more about the secrets hidden within its walls.

Mary wakes up to a new day and meets Martha, a young housemaid. As they talk, Mary starts to learn about the moor and the gardens surrounding the house. Martha tells Mary about her brother Dickon, who has a special connection with the animals on the moor. Mary becomes curious about the locked garden and its mysterious history. 

She explores the other gardens and meets Ben Weatherstaff, an old gardener, who tells her more about the robin redbreast that has taken a liking to her. Mary's curiosity about the locked garden grows, but Ben tells her there is no door to be found. Mary begins a friendship with the little bird, and starts to feel less lonely and becomes determined to find the entrance to the secret garden.

We follow Mary Lennox as she takes a long and mysterious journey to Misselthwaite Manor accompanied by Mrs. Medlock. As they travel across the moor, Mary experiences the vast expanse of wild land for the first time, feeling both curious and uneasy about her new surroundings. When they finally arrive at the Manor, Mary is led through a labyrinth of dimly lit corridors and grand rooms before being left in her own quarters, with a warning not to wander beyond them.

As Mary settles into her new home, she can't help but feel a sense of isolation and unease. What secrets lie within the walls of Misselthwaite Manor, and what does the future hold for our young protagonist? Join us in this podcast episode as we explore the enchanting world of The Secret Garden and follow Mary on her journey of self-discovery and adventure.

Left alone in the world, Mary is sent to England to live with her uncle, Mr. Archibald Craven, whom she knows nothing about. As she travels to her new home, Misselthwaite Manor, Mary's curious and stubborn nature begins to emerge.

She has already earned the nickname "Mistress Mary Quite Contrary" from the children she briefly stays with, and it seems that she is not one to make friends easily. As she learns more about her uncle and her new home, Mary is faced with the prospect of living in a dreary house filled with locked rooms and a hunchbacked uncle who keeps to himself. Will Mary's contrary nature be her downfall, or will it lead her to discover the secrets of Misselthwaite Manor?

Welcome to season 9 of Classics Out Loud.

Discover a classic story of hope and rebirth in The Secret Garden, as we explore the tale of Mary Lennox, a young and disagreeable girl who is sent to live at Misselthwaite Manor with her uncle. Unravel the mystery of the enchanting garden hidden away on the manor's grounds, and join Mary on her life-changing journey that brings growth, friendship, and healing. 

In the opening chapter "There Is No One Left," we meet young Mary at the age of nine, living a displeasing life in India. Born into a family consumed by vanity and neglect, she is raised by her Ayah, or nanny, as her mother busies herself with parties and socializing.

Fate takes a sudden turn as we witness Mary's life shift dramatically overnight. Awaking one day to find her world falling apart due to a deadly cholera outbreak, Mary is soon faced with the terrifying reality that she has been left utterly alone. But what does this mean for her future, and who will come to her rescue? 

Explore the depths of isolation, grief, and the power of human connection, as Mary learns to find her own way in a world that has forgotten her. Tune in and journey with us through The Secret Garden, a tale that promises to captivate, inspire, and awaken the hope of new beginnings within you. Don't miss out on this ageless classic that has enchanted generations – download our podcast recording of the first chapter now.

Step into the turbulent atmosphere of the final chapter of The Turn of the Screw.

Witness the fierce battle of a tormented soul against a demonic presence that haunts the corners of one's mind, leaving an unsettling scent of danger and an incomprehensible sense of dread. Join us in this nerve-racking climax to unravel the truth about sinister visions and dark secrets, and witness the heart-wrenching aftermath of a confrontation that decides the fate of a young boy.

Will the forces of evil truly be vanquished from their lives? Every word clawing into your thoughts, peeling back the layers of the haunting suspense, only to reveal the heart-wrenching crescendo. A broken confession and a shocking conclusion await you in this riveting podcast episode, sealing the fate of the tragic milestone in this gothic masterpiece. 

Don't hold your breath, because the end is here, and it brings forth the remnants of a soul forever changed.

The governess is pleased with the subtle shift in Miles' demeanour, a newfound vulnerability that seems to indicate he is becoming more open to her. This exchange between the two is tense but friendly, and Miles appears more open and genuine than ever. They discuss Bly and Miles' freedom there as well as their relationship with one another. The governess asks Miles if he wouldn't mind doing something for her.

Miles is hesitant about telling the governess what is on his mind, but he promises to eventually do so. However, he is inexplicably insistent on postponing this conversation until after he has spoken with Luke. The governess is ashamed to push him too much, but she does wonder why Miles is so urgent about seeing Luke first.

As Miles prepares to leave to find Luke, the governess makes one final small request: she queries if Miles had taken a letter of hers the previous day. As the chapter leaves off here, the listener is left in suspense about the secrets Miles is holding back. Will Miles eventually reveal what has been bothering him, and will that bring clarity to the governess? The tension in this chapter sets the stage for the stunning final chapter.

The governess finds herself alone with Miles after Mrs. Grose and Flora have left for London. She feels overwhelmed by the responsibility and the situation, and she can't help but notice the effect it has on the rest of the household. In order to maintain a sense of control and dignity, she decides to act as if she is completely unfazed by the situation and parades around the house in complete confidence.

Miles, on the other hand, seems to be taking the changes in stride. He's aware that his relationship with the governess has shifted, and he seems to have come to terms with the fact that she can no longer pretend to teach him anything. They now share an understanding, and this new dynamic between them is tested during their first meal alone together. 

Finally they finish, and once the wait-staff have finally left them, the chapter ends with Miles acknowledging the fact they can finally talk in private, leaving us hanging for the forthcoming revelations.

As we open, the day is breaking, and the atmosphere is charged with anxiety and anticipation. Mrs. Grose, deeply concerned about Flora's sudden feverish condition, is at the governess' bedside with an immense revelation. It appears that Flora's night has been filled with agitation and unrest, and it is not Miss Jessel that occupies her fears but our protagonist herself. 

This haunting chapter explores the complex relationships and unfolding mysteries within this troubled household, as the narrator begins to see the full extent of the children's cunning. With thickening tension and the prospect of illness looming, will Flora turn our protagonist's uncle against her? Will the governess finally get answers from Miles? What have the children been trying to achieve? And if she gets answers, will it save not just her livelihood but the lives of the children themselves?