#562: Ch. 13, Fatherless Fanny by Anon.

Fatherless Fanny continues, and so does Amelia’s hoax on the Duke and poor Fanny.

Chapter 13: Cross Purposes.

13:05.

#561: Book 13B, Gerusalemme Liberata by Torquato Tasso

Gerusalemme Liberata continues. Laying siege to Jerusalem in the summer is just a tad bit hot.

Book 13B

8:54.

#560: Book 13A, Gerusalemme Liberata by Torquato Tasso

Gerusalemme Liberata continues, with a spinechilling spell that infests an ancient wood with spirits straight from Hades. Clearly inspired by Lucan’s ghastly grove, Tasso throws in all sorts of fairy tale and knightly romance detail as well. This Godfrey of Bouillon’s logistics problems could make a fantasy novel in themselves!

Book 13A

25:22.

#559: “The Mayflower Compact” by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony

The Mayflower Compact is one of the foundation documents of American democracy. It’s a wonderful combination of political theory, religious faith, personal honor, and the business contract. And it created a brave new world.

The Mayflower Compact

2:56.

Be sure to visit the Internet Archive page for a bonus poem by William Bradford. Also, don’t forget last year’s 1859 story of going to Thanksgiving over the river and through the woods, “An Armistice” by Alice B. Haven, and the four chapters of Andre Norton I put up earlier this week. That should keep you busy.

#558: “The Hasty Pudding” by Joel Barlow

“The Hasty Pudding” is a semi-comedic tribute to America’s great indigenous plant, corn, the American customs surrounding it, and the wonders of the substance we today call “polenta” or, more humbly, “cornmeal mush”. Written by the early American poet Joel Barlow while he was homesick in Savoy, I think it’s a fitting Thanksgiving treat.

“The Hasty Pudding”

22:07.

There’s also a short prose preface back on the Internet Archive page, but I didn’t see much point in  podcasting that.

#557: Ch. 17A, The Nebuly Coat by John Meade Falkner

The Nebuly Coat continues, as Miss Joliffe has a day full of worries and annoyance.

Chapter 17A

28:50.

#556: Part 3, “Of Patience” by Tertullian

Finally, “Of Patience” concludes. Thanks, folks, for being patient with me despite all the interruptions. Like Tertullian, I have a wee bit of trouble with this particular virtue.
Part 3

17:38.

Btw, although I’m sure countless Christians down the years have prayed for the soul of impatient Tertullian of the overly high standards, it would be particularly nice to do so in this month of remembering the dead. Also, of course, ask him to pray for you. Assuming he wasn’t damned outright, he’s surely one soul determined to get the ear of the Lord and produce results!

#555: Part 5, “On the Life of St. Martin” by St. Sulpitius Severus

“On the Life of St. Martin” concludes with a postscript consisting of three letters. One deals with a story omitted from the book which proved controversial; the other two tell the story of events surrounding St. Martin of Tours’ death.

Part 5

37:29.

#554: Chs. 10-11, Part 3, Pastoral Care by St. Gregory the Great

Pastoral Care continues with chapters on admonishing the generous-minded and the envious, and the simple and crafty.

Chs. 10-11

15:45.

#553: Ch. 4, Star Hunter by Andre Norton

Star Hunter continues, as Ras Hume discovers that a simple plan might not be all that simple.

Chapter 4

19:35.

Btw, you can see the original 1961 Ace cover and the original Ed “Emsh” Emshwiller cover painting over at the Noreascon Retro Art Show catalog. Pretty cool, eh? Star Hunter was one half of an Ace Double. The other side was an abridged version of The Beast Master, also by Andre Norton.

#552: Ch. 3, Star Hunter by Andre Norton

Star Hunter continues, as we begin our visit to the beautiful, hospitable planet of Jumala.

Chapter 3

18:24.

#551: Ch. 2, Star Hunter by Andre Norton

Star Hunter continues, as we meet a typical post-WWII Norton protagonist — a displaced kid with smarts but no family, no home, and no hope. This one finds a bit rougher way out of the port slums than most.

Chapter 2

19:50.

#550: Ch. 1, Star Hunter by Andre Norton

Since last week’s segment of science fiction was a bit dry, I decided to provide everyone with some bonus chapters this week from a different story. Star Hunter is a fast-moving noir jungle space adventure, which should contrast nicely with the creepy science worship of “The Brazen Android”. So thank you, Andre, for not renewing your copyright on this version!

Chapter 1

20:38.

#549: Part 3, “The Brazen Android” by William Douglas O’Connor

This is the end of the first half of “The Brazen Android”, and for my money, this is where the story really gets rolling — because this is when we learn Brother Roger’s bizarre scheme. For some reason, sf writers love solving governmental problems by running scams and playing tricks, and I was amused to learn that this tendency goes so far back in the genre’s history.

Part 3

34:52.

#548: Ch. 9, Cabbages and Kings by O. Henry

Cabbages and Kings continues, as we learn the strange fate of Anchuria’s first and only admiral.

Chapter 9: “The Flag Paramount”

24:46.