Classics Narrated

John, exhausted, wounded, and sick, believes Lorna dead. Almost, but Ruth brings her back with devoted care, and Lorna's recovery enables John's.

After almost a month's delay, this podcast is back in action. Lyme disease, rather than the flu, turned out to be the problem. The antibiotics seem to be kicking in now, so, God willing, episodes should resume on a regular basis. Thanks for patience and understanding. -Scott G.

Lorna, in charge of herself (thanks to bribing Lord Jeffreys), returns to John and Plover's Barrows. Their wedding is tragically disrupted by Carver, who finally faces John's implacable wrath.

Just a quick note to explain to any subscribers who may trouble to look into why it's been a week since the last episode of Lorna Doone: I've been down with flu, pretty stiff case, but hope to be back in recording mode early next week. Thanks for your patience! - Scott G.

Local people, under John's leadership, fight to rid themselves of the murderous Doones. Much is unsettled after the battle, and the most dangerous Doone, Carver, escapes.

Sir John returns to Exmoor and finds the Doones have newly outraged their long-suffering neighbors. He tries to talk them into making amends. When they refuse with bullets, he joins the plan for a new attack.

John and Lorna see one another after long separation, and come to a clear understanding, despite her rank and wealth. John prevents her uncle from being robbed, and gains royal regard.

John is led to badly wounded rebel Tom by Winnie, Tom's mare. Tom escapes, but innocent John is captured, and threatened with death. Reprieved to wait trial in London, he hears there from Lorna.

Annie boldly obtains a truce from the Doones, freeing John to search for her husband, who rashly joined the Monmouth Rebellion. Amid carnage, John finds a sign of Tom.

Lives of ordinary people and outlaws alike change when Charles II dies. Disturbances follow, which John tries to ignore in his sorrow at Lorna's absence and silence, but he is caught up too.

In Lorna's absence, sharp tempers and hurt feelings abound. John seeks comfort from sister Annie at her new home. Getting none, and giving less, he goes to cousin Ruth in Dulverton.

John reunites Gwenny and her father. He's challenged to wrestle an even bigger man in Cornwall. While he's away, Lorna is taken by court order from the farm, to live with her guardian in London.

John reflects on a legend about Wizard's Slough, where he meets Uncle Reuben. He is shown his uncle's secret, meets a sceptical Cornishman, and breaks a big obstacle.

John visits the forlorn grave of Lorna's mother, and reunites Lorna with her nanny. Tom convinces John and Mrs. Ridd to allow his marriage to Annie. John is sent to Dulverton to buy gifts, where Uncle Reuben promises to disclose his secret.

Lorna and John's love is tested by news of her wealth, rank, and legal jeopardy. John seeks Lorna's nurse, to verify her identity.

Jeremy leads the rival militias of Devon and Somerset against the Doone stronghold. Agents of the Court of Chancery seek Lorna and her estate at the Ridd's farm.

Jeremy tells John of meeting the hostess of an inn; she came to England from Italy, in service to a noble family, and reveals the tragic end of Lorna's real parents.

Counsellor Doone visits the Ridds, intimidates, flatters, and tells Lorna and John that their fathers killed one another. Failing to split them, the Counsellor steals Lorna's precious necklace.

Lorna's presence in John's life causes a stir in the neighborhood, the household, and especially with Cousin Ruth.

John and Jeremy prepare to defend the farm from marauding Doones. Carver threatens Lorna. She wakes the weary John, and reinforced, they fight off the Doones.

Despite floods, Squire Faggus visits Plover's Barrows, and finds Lorna's necklace tremendously valuable. Jeremy Stickles makes his way there afterwards, chased by three murderous Doones.

Lorna and Gwenny are rescued by John from the Doones, despite the blizzard. The Ridds receive Lorna into their home, and spring comes, with threat of flood.

A fierce blizzard endangers all the livestock, and separates John and Lorna. His bookworm sister suggests snowshoes and sled, which bring him to Lorna and Gwenny, with chance of escape from starvation or forced marriage.

Lorna summons John Ridd for a difficult talk with her dying grandfather, patriarch of the Doones. After his funeral, perilous winter weather sets in.

John Ridd learns of plans to raid the outlaw Doones, risking Lorna's safety. Tom Faggus wins pardon for highway robbery, but a posse plans to shoot him on his way home.

John Fry neglects his farm work to help Jeremy Stickles, much to John Ridd's annoyance. John Ridd narrowly escapes murder by Doones pursuing Jeremy Stickles, who John saves from ambush.

John, desperate to hear from Lorna, makes his will and scouts Glen Doone. At risk of his life, he finds Lorna, meets Gwenny, and new signals are set.

Relationships clarify, as Mrs. Ridd learns of Annie's commitment to Tom Faggus, and John's to Lorna. Ruth's feelings are hurt, Lorna gives John a ring, and communication stops.

John has no idea why he can't see Lorna until Betty Muxworthy makes him help feed the pigs. Thanks to Betty's hint, he and Lorna reach an understanding.

Mysteries abound: an unidentified intruder, Uncle Ben visits without stating his purpose, and John Fry sees what he takes for a ghost when spying on Uncle Ben.

Lorna and John agree to spend two months apart. The harvest begins, John and his sister Annie confide in one another, and the Ridds host a harvest dance.

John's interview with the "Hanging Judge," Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys, goes surprisingly well. With difficulty, he returns home, loving it more for being away, and meets Lorna again.

John and Jeremy Stickles travel to London, avoiding highwaymen. In London, John finds a member of the bar as greedy as any knight of the road.

Scott Gadwa

www.classicsnarrated.com

183 Guinevere Ridge

 Cheshire, CT 06410

 203-623-9408 scottgadwa@juno.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Summer Reading Becomes Summer Listening

Cheshire, Connecticut, July 31, 2007 -- Tired of lugging a heavy book to the pool? Searching for stories the whole family can enjoy on the next vacation road trip? More and more Americans are listening to books via audio podcast - quickly, easily, and in most cases, for free.

Scott Gadwa provides high-quality, family-friendly readings of classic novels and short stories at www.classicsnarrated.com. All readings may be downloaded free of charge from the Classics Narrated website, or from Apple's www.iTunes.com. This website is a strong example of an emerging trend - the use of Apple's iPod and related technologies to stream narrative content at home, at work, and at play. Previous audio book formats were awkward and unwieldy - requiring the listener to carry around and change out multiple disks or cassettes. In addition to its compact size, the new technology allows listeners to subscribe to their favorite podcasts, meaning they can receive regular downloads of new episodes with no extra effort.

All books and short stories on the Classics Narrated website are in the public domain, enabling Scott G. to share these timeless works without charge. Full-length novels Kim and Lorna Doone take the audience on journeys of intrigue and adventure through India under the British Raj, and lawless Restoration England. Driving to New Hampshire? Download The Great Stone Face by Nathaniel Hawthorne, an American parable about the state's beloved icon, the Old Man of the Mountain. Crossing New York's Tappan Zee Bridge? Try The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on your car stereo. More than an entertaining story of a ghost and a love triangle, it paints a vivid picture of early American country life, from schoolroom to harvest feast, in a place that would later lie in the bridge's shadow. The Man Without a Country by Edward Everett Hale explores the meaning of American patriotism, at a time when the country was nearly torn apart. The good old days theme takes a more outrageous turn with O. Henry's The Ransom of Red Chief, where cowboys and Indians fill the imagination of a kidnapped child who turns the tables on his bumbling abductors.

This summer, whether driving to the family reunion, relaxing at the beach, or waiting at the airport, why not catch up on your reading via audio podcast?

Narrator Scott G. studied literature and acting at Brown University, and worked for over a decade in bookselling. His vocal talents are in demand from assorted community organizations, including the Connecticut chapter of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and his local church, e.g., as Narrator for congregational retelling of the Passion of Our Lord on Palm Sundays. He was inspired to start podcasting by many years of reading aloud nightly to his two daughters. The Classics Narrated website is a way to share literary gems, many almost forgotten, with a larger audience.

 For more information contact Scott Gadwa at 203-623-9408.

 Website: www.classicsnarrated.com

On www.iTunes.com, use search keywords: "Scott Gadwa"

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Lorna and John arrange a signal, and that John is not to return to the Glen for at least one month. John finds separation hard, particularly in the beauty of Spring. As the month is up, John is summoned to court in London, much against his inclination.

Since this was last updated, technology has changed. Basic QuickTime, all by itself, is no longer enough to play these podcasts, since the format, m4b, turns out to be protected from unauthorized copying/playing, whether I like it or not. There's a deluxe stand-alone version of QuickTime, but that costs money.

Starting from a point of departure, that iTunes for Windows may be scary to some folks, I looked at a few conversion alternatives (m4b to mp3), & tried a free test of one. That was a bust. How they expect to sell it, when the demo flops, is beyond me.

I then persuaded my interlocutor (the owner of the family PC) that iTunes for Windows might not be so bad, not overwhelm the PC, monopolize all free time, etc. We downloaded iTunes for Windows to said PC, pulled up a podcast episode previously downloaded directly from this website, clicked, & lo & behold, it started to play! Free, to boot.

As of this writing, iTunes for Windows 8.2.1 requirements include: a 1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, compatible video & audio cards, Windows service pack 2 or later, or 32 bit Windows Vista, 200 MB available disk space - & it will automatically update itself.

• Downloading directly from Classicsnarrated.com can be done with Internet Explorer by right-clicking the m4a or m4b link and selecting "Save Target As," then selecting the destination on your PC. In Firefox, right click the m4a or m4b link, select "Save Link As," then select the destination on your PC.

Why m4a as a file format? It conforms to the current international standard for "multimedia container," MPEG4, which is likely to keep growing. It enables "enhanced podcast" containing chapter markers, integral artwork, and so on. Those features are available through iTunes/iPod, not necessarily all "MP3" players. m4b is designed specifically for audiobooks and podcasts, and enables bookmarking on non-clickwheel iPods, so future (and possibly past) episodes will go that way. Otherwise, same as m4a (bookmarking already present for most iPods).

If you still have trouble downloading or saving, or should any of the above information be mistaken, please let me know. Post your constructive comments, and I will do my best to make appropriate changes. -Scott G.

Now well in to the story of Lorna Doone, it seems appropriate that something other than my deliberations in choosing this appear to welcome visitors. With the latest episode (vol. 1, chapters 20 & 21) I have started to use chapter markers and additional art. For now, I don't plan to revise previous episodes, but could do so, if listeners want. Within the next day or two, tips for downloading episodes directly from this web page, without visiting iTunes, will appear for PC users. Reports from family members have made it clear that it's not quite as straightforward as it should be. Further information from listeners (still more from visitors who were frustrated in their attempts to download) would be most welcome.

Lorna explains her circumstances: isolated, frightened, and mystified about how she came to be among the cruel, violent Doones. She also tells John about a young cousin who came to bring her to her respectable family, and his murder.

John's hopes of Lorna are cast down by his interview with Mother Melldrum. Undaunted, he keeps his feelings for Lorna secret, returns to visit her with a gift of fresh eggs, and wins her confidence by his self-control.

John returns to Glen Doone on St. Valentine's Day, where he meets Lorna again. He falls in love, can't concentrate, loses himself in work, and seeks advice of a "wise woman" about when he should venture to see Lorna next.

Uncle Reuben vents his resentment over being robbed on his relatives and their guests. Mollified by their hospitality, he goes with John to the local squire, for justice. Humiliated there, they scout the Doones' stronghold to plan future action.

John tells of his cousin, a popular highway robber, and uncle, a prosperous merchant, who falls in with a different sort of thief.

A dashing kinsman rescues an animal, allows John to try to ride his fine horse, and ingratiates himself with the family.

This chapter, in which fourteen year-old John kisses eight year-old Lorna, made me uncomfortable. The strangeness persisted to a certain extent as I narrated the chapter, but both John and Lorna were uncomfortable with the kiss, bashful, unselfconscious, and each innocently drawn to the other. No carnal element in the mutual interest can be discerned, only a preoccupation as John remembers. Indeed, Blackmore clearly states that John at that age found kissing in general repugnant, which makes his impulsive salute to Lorna all the more exceptional, almost an unwilling tribute to her precocious beauty.

Fourteen year-old John meets eight year-old Lorna, who helps him escape the Doones' stronghold. He returns to the family farm, never forgetting her.

We learn more about the Ridd household, John's preparation for defense, and a fishing trip that leads him astray, into danger.

Young John learns his father's fate, his mother pleads for justice, and we learn how the Doones came to Exmoor.

John Fry and young John Ridd encounter two very different groups of travelers on their way home.

"...a simple tale told simply..." begins the story of John Ridd, in his maturity, looking back at his schoolboy days, before he met the lovely and mysterious Lorna.

Continuously in print since its publication (though not an immediate bestseller), here are a few of R.D. Blackmore's prefaces, still of interest, at least to the scholar.

Owen Johnson tells how an unlikely hero achieved schoolboy immortality.

This is for my wife, whose pancakes are unsurpassed, and for one of my old college roomates, who attended the great boarding school of this story at just about the time it took place - I think.

The Old Man of the Mountain, also known as "The Great Stone Face," in Hawthorne, fell to earth in May, 2003. Few seem to have recalled Hawthorne's tale, and the feelings of wisdom, patience, and serenity he attributed to the Old Man.

Plans are afoot to restore him to his mountainside. I hope they go forward, for his fall seems like a rebuke from Nature itself, as if his sorrow over the state of humanity, which borrowed his image, were so great that his own existence became insupportable. For more information, visit franconianotchstatepark.com/oldman

It's been a week or so since I recorded the last chapter, so all I wanted to do was set down a few thoughts that may not be commonplace. The touchstone for this is the most recent novel in the great Tony Hillerman's Indian Country mysteries, "The Shape Shifter." (SPOILER WARNING!) Writing about a hundred years after Kipling, he turns the story inside out. Of course, the comparison between these two may be only coincidental. In Kim, the student or orphan/protege is white, and a master of disguise; he is educated, and even brought to salvation and holiness, by his mentor, the Tibetan Teshoo Lama. In Hillerman's "The Shape Shifter," the mentor is a white American psychopathic serial killer, who fancies himself a predator, and ordinary people nothing more than sheep to feed on. His southeast-Asian orphan/protege is trained only to cook and clean, being too decent to exploit others routinely. Justice, in the end, is meted out by people of color. That's really something both books share, and the reason Kipling's story goes beyond mere jingoistic "Rule Brittania" blather, though traces of it coming from the Indian characters do occur in the book, and may be wishful thinking on his part. In the end, the love the characters feel for each other, beautifully shown in action (the Sahiba, Teshoo Lama, Kim) and restraint (Mahbub Ali), pushes the issues of color, creed, and caste completely off stage.

Hapless kidnappers find the limit of parental affection.

My narration of the last chapter of Kipling's "Kim" has just been released, so a choice on the next major project I undertake is imminent. In the next day or two, I plan to add a note with thoughts on "Kim," and also Hawthorne's "The Great Stone Face," but here's what's mainly on my mind- For those who have been kind enough to listen to my podcast, please let me know if this seems worthwhile: R.D. Blackmore's "Lorna Doone." Here's why it interests me: -First, I had a horrible misconception of what the book is. I thought it was some imitation of Sir Walter Scott, merely derivative. In fact, it's flavor and setting are quite distinct. This is a story of England's West Country, during the Restoration, when the law didn't reach into the far corners of the kingdom, and robber barons were not metaphorical. -Second, nothing to do with cookies, despite Nabisco. The connection must be the prized butter of Devon mentioned in the story, and shortbread. Of course, using real butter in mass-produced cookies would probably leave them stale and rancid, so I credit Nabisco with doing a good job of capturing the taste in their butterless recipe, though the romantic in me is disappointed. -Third, the characters. There is modesty and integrity in both Lorna and Jan Ridd, which made them a pleasure to know. There is also an occasional pungent proverb, showing Jan's strong judgment. -Finally, the language. I had the pleasure of recording part of this book for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Connecticut chapter, and found what seemed to me a "voice" for Jan Ridd, who tells this tale. The accent would be the West Country of England, which seemed to me to fit the "pirate accent" that we know in America from Robert Newton's classic portrayal of Long John Silver in Treasure Island. The rector of our church, an English lady from Somerset, confirmed that. Of course, I'm open to suggestions; please bear in mind that this podcast is limited to works in the public domain (unless you own the rights, in which case I'd be happy to negotiate). Unless persuaded to the contrary, I expect to start podcasting "Lorna Doone" by next Tuesday, May 29th.

Edward Everett Hale's story of a U.S. Army officer in the early 19th century. Caught up in Aaron Burr's conspiracy, when court-martialled, he wishes he might never hear of the United States again. That becomes his sentence.

Especially for Memorial Day, this story, written during the American Civil War, takes us back to a time when the very existence of the United States was again in doubt. It begins when its protagonist, Philip Nolan, a young U.S. Army officer, is caught up with the Burr conspiracy in the early 19th century. Tried and found guilty of treason (unlike Burr, who was acquitted), Nolan curses his country and wishes he may never hear of it again. His sentence is to have his wish granted: he is put into custody of the U.S. Navy, and in many different ships, over the course of fifty-five years, never again comes within a hundred miles of America, or hears of her until his death. In the climax of the story, the officer responsible for Nolan, reformed into a fervent (if ignorant) patriot, doesn't have the heart to tell him of the Civil War, knowing it would break his heart. His repentance gives the story its power, and his shame, broken only to shyly extend kindness to young naval officers and men in the course of his captivity, is palpable. As America looks forward to another election, one sentence from this tale seems particularly pertinent (yet again): "...I have thought our danger was in keeping up those regular successions in the first families." All the officers in charge struggle to do their duty, despite fecklessness of their superiors. Elements in this story, from patriotic devotion to government claims of ignorance or deniability, continue to this day.

Conclusion: Kim and the lama return to the plains, both ill. Rest and healing at the house of the virtuous (and garrulous) old woman of Kulu. The lama and Mahbub discuss Kim's future, and the transfigured lama brings Kim to the end of the Search.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's parable of holiness and humility in the White Mountain valleys that look up to New Hampshire's now fallen Old Man of the Mountain.

After crisis, the Lama and Kim are welcomed in a small mountain village. There the lama teaches, meditates, and changes direction, though weak. Kim meets the woman of the village, and negotiates badly needed help.

The lama finds rejuvenation in the Hills, and crisis, when he and Kim encounter a team of foreign spies.

Lama and disciple take to the Road to visit the hospitable and sharp-tongued lady they met before. At her place, they encounter a hakim or healer, and arrange to return to the lama's beloved Hills.

Identity and talent are explored, as Kim rejoins the Lama in Benares, heals a child, and transforms a desperate colleague.

Set in the California Gold Rush, the author asks an old man for news of a friend's friend. Instead, he hears of a compulsive gambler with the same last name, and his animal contestants.

Mapping, disguise, danger, the intercession of friends and the supernatural form Kim's initiation into the Great Game: Britain's struggle to hold India, the jewel in the crown of Empire, against Russian subversion.

Kim meets the Healer of Pearls, his jealous apprentice, and the Babu. He learns of fear, illusion, memory, disguise, his calling, and a novel use of the multiplication tables.

Kim & Mahbub come to understand one another, and foil a plot against Mahbub's life. They then travel to Simla, where a unique teacher awaits Kim.

Kim is taken to his first term at St. Xavier's School by the mysterious Col. Creighton, is seen safely inside by the beloved Lama, and has his unusual vacation trip explained by Mahbub Ali.

Kim, as Indian street-smart as can be, is the subject of negotiation over his formal education.

Kim and the Lama stumble across his father's old regiment, and separate.

Kim, an orphaned Irish beggar boy in 19th century India, meets an ancient lama, and becomes his pupil. He also carries a dangerous message from the horse-trader, Mahbub Ali.

Kim and the lama take the train for the first time, and meet a cross-section of India. Kim delivers a message.

The lama and Kim enjoy 'hospitality' at a village. An old veteran of the Indian Mutiny travels with them briefly, to set them on the Grand Trunk Road.

The lama and Kim fall in with the retinue of a widow of a certain age, as they follow their road.

His partner's ghost warns Scrooge of Spirits who will scare greed out, and generosity into him.

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back to happier times, and shows how he lost his way.

The Ghost of Christmas Present acquaints Scrooge with the Cratchits, his nephew's family, and the very poor.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge how his death will improve his world; yet offers hope in repentance.

His heart changed by the Spirits of Christmas, Scrooge begins to change his life with a rush of joy.

A few words to clarify some old-fashioned language, and explain some of the choices made in this recording.

Part one of two: Ichabod, Katrina, and Brom in old Sleepy Hollow, where haunting stories linger.

Part two of two. The feast at the quilting party, rejection, and a desperate race with the Headless Horseman.