Tonight we'll read the next chapter of Good Wives, written by Louisa May Alcott, titled "Surprises". This is also known as the second half of the Little Women novel, and is considered the 43rd chapter as part of that work as a whole.
In our last chapter, Jo found herself adrift in a quieter home, struggling to lift her spirits or rekindle her sense of purpose. Though she tries to be useful, her days feel empty until simple comforts. Conversations with her parents. Small household tasks, and time with Meg and the children begin to steady her. Encouraged to write again, Jo pours her heart into a story that unexpectedly resonates with readers.
She warmly supports Amy and Laurie's news, though it stirs her own longing for connection. Alone in the attic, Jo finds an old note from Professor Bear and holds it close. Sensing something quietly beginning.
— read by 'V' —
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32:54
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32:54
Old Pipes and the Dryad
Tonight, for our monthly Snoozecast+ Deluxe episode, we’ll read the tale “Old Pipes and the Dryad” by Frank R. Stockton and published in 1894.
Stockton was a popular American writer best known for his whimsical and gently satirical fairy tales. His most famous story, “The Lady, or the Tiger?”, posed a famously unsolvable riddle and brought him wide acclaim. But many of his lesser-known tales, like tonight’s, are just as imaginative and charming. Stockton often gave mythological or magical elements a lighthearted twist, grounding them in everyday human kindness or folly.
In classical mythology, a dryad is a tree spirit or nymph—typically female—who is bound to a particular tree, often an oak. The Greeks believed dryads were shy and long-lived, emerging only when their tree was especially old or under threat. Over time, the dryad became a symbol of the forest itself—an embodiment of nature’s quiet, watchful presence.
— read by 'N' —
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7:15
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7:15
The Portrait of a Lady
Tonight, we’ll read the first chapter to “The Portrait of a Lady” written by Henry James and published in 1880. It is one of James's most popular novels and is regarded by critics as one of his finest.
The novel follows Isabel Archer, a spirited and idealistic young American who travels to Europe in search of experience and independence. When she unexpectedly inherits a fortune, her circumstances shift dramatically—but so too do the stakes of her freedom. Henry James uses Isabel’s story to explore the quiet perils of autonomy, as she is gradually drawn into a web of manipulations and choices that test the boundaries of her self-determination.
James wrote “The Portrait of a Lady” during his middle period, after moving to Europe himself, and the novel reflects his deepening interest in psychological realism and the nuances of cultural contrast. The book stands as a key work in the development of the modern novel, notable for its subtle characterization and moral ambiguity.
— read by 'V' —
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36:44
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36:44
The White Doe
Tonight, we’ll read a version of the French literary fairy tale called “The White Doe” originally written by Madame d'Aulnoy. This version was found in “My Book of Favourite Fairy Tales” edited by Captain Edric Vredenburg and published in 1921.
Madame d’Aulnoy, writing at the end of the 17th century, is credited with helping to popularize the term “fairy tale” itself—conte de fées—as she brought together aristocratic salon wit and magical storytelling. Her tales were never strictly for children; they were often satirical, romantic, and filled with elaborate detail meant to entertain adult audiences in the court of Louis XIV. They reflected the social norms and expectations of her time, particularly around the roles of women and the idea of destiny.
“The White Doe” is one of her lesser-known but richly imagined stories, blending themes of transformation, betrayal, and enchanted punishment. In this tale, the heroine is bound by a strange prophecy, and a single broken rule sets off a chain of magical consequences. The story’s combination of court intrigue, fairy interventions, and symbolic metamorphosis makes it a quintessential example of d’Aulnoy’s genre-bending flair.
— read by 'V' —
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19:29
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19:29
Persuasion pt. 19
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, an Englishwoman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife.
In the last episode, Anne is stunned to learn of Louisa Musgrove’s sudden engagement to Captain Benwick. The pairing seems unlikely—Louisa being lively and high-spirited, Benwick reserved and mournful—but Anne quickly attributes their attachment to circumstance: close proximity and shared vulnerability. Reflecting on it, Anne concludes their union makes sense and could bring mutual happiness.
Anne also feels an unspoken joy at the idea that Captain Wentworth is now free—though she barely dares to examine those feelings. Meanwhile, Sir Walter and Elizabeth are indifferent to the news, concerned only with social status, and reluctant to associate with the Crofts. Anne, in contrast, finds quiet joy in observing Admiral and Mrs. Croft’s warm, equal companionship. A chance meeting with the Admiral in a print shop reveals his usual charm and humor, further endearing him to Anne.
— read by 'V' —
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