By Gene Stratton-Porter

Presented by Voices of Today

Featuring the voices of Susan Iannucci, David Shears, Sarah Bacaller, Ben Stevens, Linda Barrans, Graham Scott, Marty Krz, John Burlinson, Trisha Rose and Lee Ann Howlett

Freckles is primarily set in the Limberlost Swamp of Indiana, U.S.A., with brief scenes set in Chicago. 

Freckles is the only name he has ever known. His right hand is missing at the wrist, and he is haunted by not knowing how it happened. Raised since infancy in a Chicago orphanage, he speaks with a slight Irish accent and sings with a beautiful voice. Now, exhausted after many days of walking, he applies for a job with the Grand Rapids Lumber Company, guarding timber in the Limberlost Swamp from timber thieves.

Along with timber thieves, visitors to the swamp are the Bird Woman, who often comes to photograph birds’ nests, and a lovely young woman who Freckles promptly falls in love with and names his “Swamp Angel”. He fears that he is descended from criminals who abused their baby and cut off his hand intentionally so he cannot be worthy of her. The Swamp Angel declares her love for him and promises that she will find his parents and prove that Freckles comes from “a race of men that have been gentlemen for ages, and couldn’t be anything else.”

Be sure to follow up by listening to this book with the sequel, The Girl of the Limberlost, also produced by Voices of Today.

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A Gene Stratton Porter Collection

Freckles and A Girl of the Limberlost are two of Gene Stratton Porter’s most famous novels. Set primarily in the Limberlost Swamp of Indiana, USA, Freckles follows the story of Freckles, a lame orphan whose innate character rises above his circumstances. A Girl of the Limberlost is the story of Elnora, blamed for her father’s death by her mother, who nevertheless meets every challenge that comes her way with admirable resilience. Uplifting and encouraging family listening!

Narration by Susan Iannucci. Also featuring the voices of David Shears, Sarah Bacaller, Ben Stevens, Linda Barrans, Graham Scott, Marty Krz, John Burlinson, Trisha Rose, Lee Ann Howlett, J D Sutter, Lee Ann Howlett, Andy Harrington, Emma Faye, Adam Skousen, Sara Morsey, and Kendra Murray.

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C. J. Dennis Collection

Narrated by Sarah Bacaller and Denis Daly

Between 1915 and 1921, C. J. Dennis published seven verse novels and two collections of poetry. The first of these was The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke, which features Dennis’ characteristic use of a distinctive Australian argot and which became an immediate bestseller.

The other titles are

The Moods of Ginger Mick (1916)

Doreen (1917)

Digger Smith (1918)

Jim of the Hills (1919)

Rose of Spadgers (1924)

Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (1918)

A Book for Kids (1921)

The Glugs of Gosh (1917)

Dennis’s poetry is significant not only for its skillful use of the vernacular but also for its evocative portrayal of a post-colonial lifestyle that has changed radically since the Second World War.

In 1985, the C. J. Dennis Prize for Poetry was established, and laureates have included such luminaries as Rosemary Dobson, Gwen Harwood, Bruce Beaver, and Les Murray.

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Unlike the other verse novels of C. J. Dennis, this collection of 13 poems is focused on political satire. The action is set in the society of an arboreal race, known as Glugs, and described by the author “stupid race of docile folk”. Among the targets of Dennis’s mocking scrutiny are free trade, social conformity, and extravagant bureaucracy.   

Although the book was not a commercial success, it is recognized today as one of Dennis’s most accomplished productions.

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Presented by Voices of Today

First published in 1909, A Girl of the Limberlost is a novel by American writer and naturalist Gene Stratton-Porter. This classic of Indiana literature is a sequel to Stratton-Porter’s earlier novel Freckles. Wholesome, sensible, and beautiful, the heroine, Elnora, is also compassionate, self-reliant, and intelligent. Neglected by her mother, Elnora reaches through this hardship toward education, friendship, and love. There are no shortcuts and her hard work brings joy to herself and all those she loves.

Cast

Narrator – Susan Iannucci

Elnora – Emma Faye 

Philip Ammon – Adam Skousen

Wesley Sinton – Ben Stevens

Mrs. Comstock – Sara Morsey

Edith Carr – Kendra Murray

Also featuring the voices of Sarah Bacaller, Trisha Rose, JD Sutter, John Burlinson, Lee Ann Howlett, and Andy Harrington.

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Collected Short Stories

By Lucy Maud Montgomery

Between 1896 and 1922, in addition to a series of full-length novels Lucy Maud Montgomery published over 140 short stories.

In general, these tales are reflective of the coming of age themes and the sylvan settings which are explored in greater detail in the novels. 

Short Stories – 1896-1901 narrated by P J Morgan

Short Stories – 1902-1903 narrated by Michelle Marie

Short Stories – 1904 narrated by Sarah Bacaller

Short Stories – 1905-1906 narrated by Christianne Lupher

Short Stories – 1907-1908 narrated by Suzanne Barbetta

Short Stories – 1909-1922 narrated by Melissa Green

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The Online Stage presents Two Tragedies in One Act by William Shakespeare, edited and condensed by J. P. Crabb.

Hamlet and Macbeth are two of Shakespeare’s best-known plays and contain some of the most famous speeches in world literature. These one-act versions of the plays, which were edited by J. P. Crabb (the details of whose life and other works have disappeared into obscurity) retain the significant monologues and dialogues while presenting a streamlined view of the action.

Featuring the voices of Alan Weyman, Amanda Friday, Anna Grace, Blythe Melin, David Shears, Denis Daly, Graham Scott, Huw Brentnall, Jeff Moon, Lance Rasmussen, P. J. Morgan, Rob Goll, Ron Altman, Sarah Bacaller, Senn Annis, Sydnee Fullmer, and Tyler Hyrchuk.

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The Jumblies and Other Nonsense Verses by Edward Lear

Narrated by Denis Daly, Sarah Bacaller, and Lucy Bacaller

These 14 poems have been drawn from the Nonsense Books of Edward Lear.

“The Jumblies”

“The Owl and the Pussy-Cat”

“The Daddy Long Legs and the Fly”

“The Broom, the Shovel, the Poker and the Tongs”

“Mr and Mrs Spikky Sparrow”

“The Duck and the Kangaroo”

“The Cummerband”

“The Dong with a Luminous Nose”

“The New Vestments”

“The Nutcrackers and the Sugar-Tongs”

“Calico Pie”

“The Table and the Chair”

“The Courtship of the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo”

“Incidents in the Life of my Uncle Arly”

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Sybylla Melvin is a misfit. She barely endures the dreary life of dairy farming in a family that can hardly make ends meet. Out of the blue, she is invited to move back to the family property, Caddagat, to live with Grannie, Aunt Helen, and Uncle Jay Jay. With a cast of interesting neighbors and friends, Sybylla finally seems to discover hope in the world. She is nourished by thoughtful conversation, books, and music. Harold Beecham’s love, however, throws her into indecision and painful tension. Will she be satisfied with following the well-trodden path of marriage – a path she perceives as demeaning and restrictive? And when she is abruptly sent away from Caddagat to help pay family debts, her “brilliant career” takes a disruptive turn.

This coming-of-age story, set in the Australian bush and originally published in 1901, is prefaced by an introduction from iconic Australian poet, Henry Lawson. The novel was written by Stella Miles Franklin when she was only a teenager. Franklin became a significant figure and patron of Australian literature through her involvement in the Australian literary scene in the 20th century. This impact continues today through the famous annual literary prize, the Miles Franklin award.

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A Little Princess tells the story of Sara Crewe, daughter of a rich English officer stationed in India, who is sent to Miss Minchin’s boarding school in London. Despite her wealth and privilege, Sara is kind and generous, befriending everyone from school outcast Ermengarde and motherless toddler Lottie to the teenage scullery maid Becky. When Sara’s status is abruptly changed, her resolve to behave like a princess no matter her circumstances is put to the test. Frances Hodgson Burnet’s children’s classic is performed by a full cast and will be loved by listeners of all ages.

Cast:

Narrator – Elizabeth Klett

Sara Crewe – Amanda Friday

Captain Crewe/Mr. Carmichael – Jeff Moon

Miss Minchin – Lillian Rachel

Miss Amelia – Sarah Mitchell

Lavinia/Janet – Shaina Summerville

Jessie/Nora – Anna Grace

Ermengarde/Donald – Sarah Bacaller

Lottie – Miranda Hodges

Becky/Anne – Amber Hegarty

Ram Dass – Ben Stevens

Mr. Carrisford – Rob Goll

Mrs. Carmichael/Cook – Trisha Rose

Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett

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Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Presented by The Online Stage

Oliver Twist is the well-loved tale of an orphan, who starts life in a workhouse and finds himself embroiled in London’s criminal underworld, before being saved by a kind gentleman who knows something of his surprising family history. A satire and social commentary as well as a page-turning yarn, full of grit, wit, and some of the most memorable characters in English Literature. The second published serialised novel by Charles Dickens, The British Library remarks that “it has proven to be one of the best-loved novels in the history of literature”.

Cast:

Narrator and Sikes – Ben Lindsey-Clark

Oliver – Sarah Bacaller

Fagin – Graham Scott

Mr. Bumble – Rob Goll

Dodger – Amber Hegarty

Nancy – Anna Grace

Rose Maylie – Amanda Friday

Dr. Losberne – David Prickett

Harry Maylie – Mark Crowle-Groves

Mrs. Corney – Elizabeth Klett

Mrs. Maylie – Lillian Rachel

Monks – Jeff Moon

Charlie Bates – P. J. Morgan

Grimwig – Max Gallo

Audio edited by Ben Lindsey-Clark

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Blood Guilt: Orestes on Trial freely adapted by Bob Gonzalez from The Oresteia by Aeschylus

Performed by The Online Stage

A modern adaptation of The Oresteia of Aeschylus, the only surviving ancient Athenian trilogy. Across three plays, Greece’s first major playwright tells the story of the cursed House of Atreus, where the bloody sins of the family’s ancestors are visited upon four succeeding generations. After a series of horrific past crimes by his ancestors, Orestes is driven to matricide and for that is relentlessly pursued by the Furies, underworld demons intent on revenging the spirit of his mother. He flees Argos for sanctuary at Athens, where the city’s patron goddess, Athena, decides to establish the first tribunal – a human jury. Apollo, the God of Truth, defends Orestes against the vengeful Furies. Faithful to the spirit of the original, this two-act version offers a contemporary perspective on the dilemma of conflicted loyalties.

Cast:

Athena – Lillian Rachel

Orestes – Lance Rasmussen

Elektra – Amanda Friday

Klytemnestra – Trisha Rose

Apollo – Huw Brentnall

Kassandra – P. J. Morgan

Agamemnon – Blythe Melin

Aigisthos – Tyler Hyrchuk

Calchas – Alan Weyman

Pylades – Andy Harrington

Iphigenia – Sarah Bacaller

Furies – Elizabeth Klett, Lee Ann Howlett, Sara Sheckells

Argos Women – Anna Grace, Jennie VanderLugt, Michelle Marie

Elders – Russell Gold, Ted Wenskus, Ron Altman

Narration by Bob Gonzalez

Audio edited by Amanda Friday and Bob Gonzalez

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