Showing results by narrator "Daniel Allen" in All Categories

"Chess Story," also known as "The Royal Game," is Stefan Zweig's compelling novella that unfolds on a passenger steamer. It narrates the psychological duel between Mirko Czentovic, a chess champion with a mysterious past, and Dr. B, a reclusive genius. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the story explores themes of isolation, obsession, and the struggle for intellectual sanity.

Notes from Underground is a timeless classic that delves into the depths of the human psyche, challenging listeners to confront their own beliefs and assumptions. It remains a must-listen for those seeking to understand the roots of existentialist thought and the enduring complexities of the human soul.

Straitlaced Evelyn and reformed bad boy Marco might make an unlikely pair, but the two lovebirds couldn’t be more head over heels for each other. Sure, they’ve had some missed calls along the way, but all that’s in the past. They’ve got their sights set on forever, and the next stop is a walk down the aisle in front of their friends and family. It’s the big day, and everyone’s gathered to watch Marco and Evelyn say "I do". Everyone except Evelyn that is. Is the bride running late or running? The surprising answer might just be in their voicemails.

In the heart of the vast and untamed wilderness along the Danube River, two friends embark on a seemingly tranquil canoe trip. As they navigate the river’s meandering paths, they decide to camp on a remote, desolate island, thick with ominous willows swaying in the relentless wind. Yet, what starts as an idyllic adventure quickly spirals into a nightmarish struggle for survival.

In the ancient lands of Judea, where the boundary between life and death is both sacred and feared, one man crosses that divide and returns irrevocably changed. Lazarus, raised from the grave by the hand of Christ, emerges not as the man he once was but as a shadow of his former self, haunted by the specter of death. The miracle of Lazarus's resurrection reverberates across the land, drawing pilgrims and skeptics alike. Yet, as Lazarus walks among the living, he carries with him an unsettling aura that instills dread and despair in all who encounter him.

Mademoiselle Jeanne, drawn by curiosity and the allure of mystery, attends a midnight Mass at the village church, said to be haunted by spirits of the departed. As the night unfolds, the air grows thick with a palpable sense of dread, and the shadows of the past emerge to claim their presence among the living. In the dim candlelight, ghostly figures and ethereal whispers fill the sacred space, weaving an eerie tapestry of fear and fascination. As Jeanne witnesses the ethereal procession, she is confronted with the haunting reality of mortality and the power of faith.

Set in a mysterious boarding house in the heart of 19th-century New York, a group of residents decides to investigate the house’s eerie reputation. Among them is Harry, who soon finds himself at the center of a nightmarish encounter. In the dead of night, as shadows loom and silence reigns, he is seized by an invisible force, a creature that defies explanation and challenges the very fabric of human understanding.

In a quaint New England village, the Glynn siblings gather to mourn the unexpected death of their brother Henry. As they convene in the dimly lit family home, old tensions and secrets begin to surface, intertwining with an unsettling presence that lurks within the house. The siblings soon discover eerie shadows cast upon the walls—shadows that seem to move of their own volition, whispering untold tales of the past. As the family grapples with their own guilt and grief, the mysterious shadows grow darker, revealing a truth more sinister than any of them could have imagined.

In the quiet corners of an English estate, where shadows stretch long and secrets linger, a sinister force is unleashed. "The Beast with Five Fingers" unfolds with an unsettling mystery that will grip your imagination and chill your soul. When the reclusive scholar Adrian Borlsover dies unexpectedly, a macabre discovery awaits his family and friends: a disembodied hand that refuses to remain still.

In the heart of Paris, amidst the bohemian world of artists and dreamers, a chilling tale of mystery and the macabre unfolds. Louis De Cressac, a gifted painter, lives a life of solitude and obsession, haunted by a dark legacy tied to the sinister Black King. When his friend, Jack Scott, visits, he is drawn into a world where art and the supernatural intertwine in terrifying ways.

"The Burning Secret" by Stefan Zweig is a captivating novella that delves into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Set against the backdrop of an Austrian resort in the early 20th century, the story revolves around a young baron who, in his pursuit of an intriguing woman, unwittingly befriends her young son. This friendship becomes a strategic tool in his quest, leading to an intricate web of deceit, passion, and emotional turmoil.

Explore the human psyche's extremes in Knut Hamsun's renowned novel, "Hunger." Set in 19th-century Oslo, this modernist masterpiece follows a starving artist's struggle for survival and self-expression. The novel intricately portrays the protagonist's inner turmoil, balancing between sanity and madness, as he wanders through the city's streets, battling hunger and pursuing his artistic vision.

In the ethereal twilight of St. Petersburg's white nights, a young loner's solitary existence is transformed by a chance encounter with the enchanting Nastenka. Over several luminous evenings, two kindred souls embark on a journey of emotional discovery, sharing dreams, disappointments, and the fragile hope of love.

The History Plays is a series of five two-hander plays by Vent author Nigel Smith, which are imagined conversations at key moments in recent history, moments that have permanently changed the British psyche. Starting with Mick Jagger's conviction for drug possession and the surprising pro-Jagger line taken in a Times editorial through the fragmented morality of John Stonehouse, the Indian summer of patriotism over the Falklands, the death of Diana, and the end of the Blair years, The History Plays are a satirical and thoughtful exploration of huge social forces.

Daniel Allen Cox grew up with firm lines around what his religion considered unacceptable: celebrating birthdays and holidays, voting in elections, pursuing higher education, and other forays into independent thought. Their opposition to blood transfusions would have consequences for his mother, just as their stance on homosexuality would for him. But even years after whispers of his sexual orientation reached his congregation’s presiding elder, catalyzing his disassociation, the distinction between “in” and “out” isn’t always clear.