We return this week to the magical world of "The Alchemist."  This is magical realism at its finest - there is no doubt that magic underlies this simple Tale, and yet, everything takes place very much in our world.  Last week, we left our intrepid shepherd boy preparing to leave his life at the crystal shop for a chance to cross the desert with a caravan.  Also joining the caravan is an Englishman who is crossing the desert in search of...an alchemist.

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 Alchemist - https://amzn.to/3dWNfmX
The Essential Paulo Coelho - https://amzn.to/3nvb3Sf
The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel - https://amzn.to/3nugsJb
 
I would like to thank my patrons: Toni A, Joshua Clark, Maura Lee, Jane, Drew Atkins, John Bowles, Glen Thrasher and Cade Norman.

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Last week, we left our protagonist, Santiago, ready to leave the Spanish countryside and head for Africa.  Having met the King of Salem, Melchizadek, the shepherd boy has decided to embrace his destiny and head to the pyramids to search for the treasure that awaits him there.  Now he's sold his flock and heading to a new continent.  But how will he make his way to Egypt?

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 Alchemist - https://amzn.to/3dWNfmX
The Essential Paulo Coelho - https://amzn.to/3nvb3Sf
The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel - https://amzn.to/3nugsJb
 
I would like to thank my patrons: Toni A, Joshua Clark, Maura Lee, Jane, Drew Atkins, John Bowles, Glen Thrasher and Cade Norman.

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This week, we start a more modern Tale, 'The Alchemist' by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho.  This book has been translated into over 100 languages and it is safe to say it is a worldwide publishing phenomenon, yet it continues to defy description.  It is a novel, but is it a fable? A self help book?  A spiritual guide?  Listen to the story of Santiago and decide for yourself...

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 Alchemist - https://amzn.to/3dWNfmX
The Essential Paulo Coelho - https://amzn.to/3nvb3Sf
The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel - https://amzn.to/3nugsJb
 
I would like to thank my patrons: Toni A, Joshua Clark, Maura Lee, Jane, Drew Atkins, John Bowles, Glen Thrasher and Cade Norman.

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This week's Tale is a short story from one of the great figures of 20th century literature, Franz Kafka.  "The Judgement" - written originally in German as "Der Urteil" - can also be translated as "The Verdict" and since its publication has defied a single, absolute interpretation.  As with all of Kafka's writing, this is a dark tale, infused with a nightmarish quality of feeling out of control.  There is indeed a judgement taking place here, but who is being judged, the father or the son?

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 Greatest Works of Franz Kafka - https://amzn.to/32v9bPy
The Metamorphosis: and Other Stories - https://amzn.to/3v6xL5H
The Trial - https://amzn.to/3x9LVoy

Films
The Castle - https://amzn.to/2QGOmOq
 
I would like to thank my patrons: Toni A, Joshua Clark, Maura Lee, Jane, Kaffee Stark, Drew Atkins, John Bowles, Glen Thrasher and Cade Norman.

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Last week, we went to Canterville Chase where the Otis family have settled after moving to the English countryside from America.  They were warned about the Canterville Ghost which has haunted the property for centuries, but upon encountering it, they seemed more irritated than scared.  To make matters worse for the ghost, the Otis twins appear to enjoy playing practical jokes on him.  He has never met a family so unwilling to be terrified and he's feeling rather lost. What is a ghost to do when no one is frightened of 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 Canterville Ghost and Other Stories - https://amzn.to/39I0tSf
The Picture of Dorian Gray - https://amzn.to/3s3mQbf
Oscar Wilde: The Complete Works - https://amzn.to/3usLvr2

Films
The Canterville Ghost (1996) - https://amzn.to/39NoqYm
The Canterville Ghost (1944) - https://amzn.to/3dDlUVI
Dorian Gray - https://amzn.to/39OmKO9
 
I would like to thank my patrons: Toni A, Joshua Clark, Maura Lee, Jane, Kaffee Stark, Drew Atkins, John Bowles and Glen Thrasher.

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This charming Tale is from one of the finest and funniest writers of all time, Oscar Wilde. "The Canterville Ghost" was Wilde's first published story, and has been adapted many times since for stage and screen.  Wilde would perhaps become best known for his acerbic wit and poking fun at genteel society, but he would return to supernatural themes in his more frightening work "The Picture of Dorian Gray". As for the Canterville Ghost, he's had a long career of terrifying visitors to his stately home, but has he met his match in the form of the latest occupants?

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 Canterville Ghost and Other Stories - https://amzn.to/39I0tSf
The Picture of Dorian Gray - https://amzn.to/3s3mQbf
Oscar Wilde: The Complete Works - https://amzn.to/3usLvr2

Films
The Canterville Ghost (1996) - https://amzn.to/39NoqYm
The Canterville Ghost (1944) - https://amzn.to/3dDlUVI
Dorian Gray - https://amzn.to/39OmKO9
 
I would like to thank my patrons: Toni A, Joshua Clark, Maura Lee, Jane, Kaffee Stark, Drew Atkins, John Bowles and Glen Thrasher.

Support the show

This week, we return to one of our favourites, master of horror Edgar Allan Poe, and one of his most famous works, "The Tell Tale Heart."  First published in 1843, it quickly became a classic. Be warned, its themes of murder and madness are not for the faint 'hearted'.

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 Edgar Allan Poe Collection - https://amzn.to/2PJtV3a
The Tell Tale Heart (graphic novel) - https://amzn.to/3syegCa

Films
The Tell Tale Heart - https://amzn.to/3czHtXO
The Raven - https://amzn.to/3m429ua
 
I would like to thank my patrons: Toni A, Joshua Clark, Maura Lee, Jane, Kaffee Stark, Drew Atkins, John Bowles and Glen Thrasher. 

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This week, we bring you three Tales in one - three of Rudyard Kipling's 'Just So' stories. Kipling used to tell these fanciful origin stories to his daughter every night, and she would insist that he told them each time in the same way, 'just so.'  We may revisit his others at some point - there are twelve in all - but for now, let us hear 'How the Camel Got His Hump', 'How the Whale Got His Throat' and 'How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin'.

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):
Just So Stories - https://amzn.to/2PoZ0su
The Jungle Book - https://amzn.to/3sirWRR
Kim - https://amzn.to/2PpSK40

Films
The Jungle Book (animated) - https://amzn.to/2P26LF8
Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book (1994) - https://amzn.to/39b2xSs
 
I would like to thank my patrons: Toni A, Joshua Clark, Maura Lee, Jane, Kaffee Stark, Drew Atkins, John Bowles and Glen Thrasher. 

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This week we present a Tale unusual in that it forms part of a more famous story, that of Bram Stoker's gothic masterpiece, 'Dracula'.  Published after his death in a collection of short stories, it is almost certain that this was intended as the original opening to Dracula.  It forms a prologue and an introduction to the world of the 'nosferatu', but it would seem Stoker's publishers did not consider it integral to the story we have come to know.  So, how did Stoker first intend to introduce us to the horrifying world of Dracula?

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):
Dracula - https://amzn.to/3cE5bBd
Dracula's Guest & Other Weird Tales - https://amzn.to/3vtaGLH
The Lost Novels of Bram Stoker - https://amzn.to/30MUzKC

Films
Bram Stoker's Dracula - https://amzn.to/3eJDuJT
Dracula Untold - https://amzn.to/3vxflvQ
 
I would like to thank my patrons: Toni A, Joshua Clark, Maura Lee, Jane, Kaffee Stark, Drew Atkins and John Bowles. 

Support the show

Last week found Conan, King of Aquilonia, stripped of all his powers and imprisoned by the evil wizard Tsotha-lanti.  A host of horrors await him in this dungeon.  How will he escape and reclaim his kingdom?

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
Conan the Barbarian (2011) - https://amzn.to/3iZYvOR

Games
Conan Exiles (PS4) - https://amzn.to/2H1qCzS
Conan Exiles (XBOX ONE) - https://amzn.to/3j1dS9E  

Support the show