Episodes

  • 020 - Letters 63-65

    020 - Letters 63-65
    Jan 6 2026
    The Power of Sympathy, published in Boston in January 1789, holds the distinction of being the first American novel. This captivating epistolary tale unfolds the tragic romance between an orphaned girl and a man of good family, culminating in a dramatic twist and heart-wrenching conclusion. Inspired by a real scandal within the Apthorp family of Boston, the characters of Ophelia and Martin echo the tumultuous events of their lives. Initially published anonymously, the true authorship remained a mystery for over a century, with Boston antiquarians eventually suggesting the poet Sarah (Apthorp) Morton, who was intertwined in the real-life drama, as the likely author. However, in the autumn of 1894, following the release of this recordings edition, William Hill Brown’s niece finally revealed the truth, confirming him as the true author. (Summary by TriciaG using public domain sources)
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    11 mins
  • 019 - Letters 58-62

    019 - Letters 58-62
    Jan 6 2026
    The Power of Sympathy, published in Boston in January 1789, holds the distinction of being the first American novel. This captivating epistolary tale unfolds the tragic romance between an orphaned girl and a man of good family, culminating in a dramatic twist and heart-wrenching conclusion. Inspired by a real scandal within the Apthorp family of Boston, the characters of Ophelia and Martin echo the tumultuous events of their lives. Initially published anonymously, the true authorship remained a mystery for over a century, with Boston antiquarians eventually suggesting the poet Sarah (Apthorp) Morton, who was intertwined in the real-life drama, as the likely author. However, in the autumn of 1894, following the release of this recordings edition, William Hill Brown’s niece finally revealed the truth, confirming him as the true author. (Summary by TriciaG using public domain sources)
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    11 mins
  • 018 - Letters 51-57

    018 - Letters 51-57
    Jan 6 2026
    The Power of Sympathy, published in Boston in January 1789, holds the distinction of being the first American novel. This captivating epistolary tale unfolds the tragic romance between an orphaned girl and a man of good family, culminating in a dramatic twist and heart-wrenching conclusion. Inspired by a real scandal within the Apthorp family of Boston, the characters of Ophelia and Martin echo the tumultuous events of their lives. Initially published anonymously, the true authorship remained a mystery for over a century, with Boston antiquarians eventually suggesting the poet Sarah (Apthorp) Morton, who was intertwined in the real-life drama, as the likely author. However, in the autumn of 1894, following the release of this recordings edition, William Hill Brown’s niece finally revealed the truth, confirming him as the true author. (Summary by TriciaG using public domain sources)
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    13 mins
  • 017 - Letter 50

    017 - Letter 50
    Jan 6 2026
    The Power of Sympathy, published in Boston in January 1789, holds the distinction of being the first American novel. This captivating epistolary tale unfolds the tragic romance between an orphaned girl and a man of good family, culminating in a dramatic twist and heart-wrenching conclusion. Inspired by a real scandal within the Apthorp family of Boston, the characters of Ophelia and Martin echo the tumultuous events of their lives. Initially published anonymously, the true authorship remained a mystery for over a century, with Boston antiquarians eventually suggesting the poet Sarah (Apthorp) Morton, who was intertwined in the real-life drama, as the likely author. However, in the autumn of 1894, following the release of this recordings edition, William Hill Brown’s niece finally revealed the truth, confirming him as the true author. (Summary by TriciaG using public domain sources)
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    10 mins
  • 016 - Letter 49

    016 - Letter 49
    Jan 6 2026
    The Power of Sympathy, published in Boston in January 1789, holds the distinction of being the first American novel. This captivating epistolary tale unfolds the tragic romance between an orphaned girl and a man of good family, culminating in a dramatic twist and heart-wrenching conclusion. Inspired by a real scandal within the Apthorp family of Boston, the characters of Ophelia and Martin echo the tumultuous events of their lives. Initially published anonymously, the true authorship remained a mystery for over a century, with Boston antiquarians eventually suggesting the poet Sarah (Apthorp) Morton, who was intertwined in the real-life drama, as the likely author. However, in the autumn of 1894, following the release of this recordings edition, William Hill Brown’s niece finally revealed the truth, confirming him as the true author. (Summary by TriciaG using public domain sources)
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    9 mins
  • 015 - Letters 42-48

    015 - Letters 42-48
    Jan 6 2026
    The Power of Sympathy, published in Boston in January 1789, holds the distinction of being the first American novel. This captivating epistolary tale unfolds the tragic romance between an orphaned girl and a man of good family, culminating in a dramatic twist and heart-wrenching conclusion. Inspired by a real scandal within the Apthorp family of Boston, the characters of Ophelia and Martin echo the tumultuous events of their lives. Initially published anonymously, the true authorship remained a mystery for over a century, with Boston antiquarians eventually suggesting the poet Sarah (Apthorp) Morton, who was intertwined in the real-life drama, as the likely author. However, in the autumn of 1894, following the release of this recordings edition, William Hill Brown’s niece finally revealed the truth, confirming him as the true author. (Summary by TriciaG using public domain sources)
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    10 mins
  • 014 - Letters 40-41

    014 - Letters 40-41
    Jan 6 2026
    The Power of Sympathy, published in Boston in January 1789, holds the distinction of being the first American novel. This captivating epistolary tale unfolds the tragic romance between an orphaned girl and a man of good family, culminating in a dramatic twist and heart-wrenching conclusion. Inspired by a real scandal within the Apthorp family of Boston, the characters of Ophelia and Martin echo the tumultuous events of their lives. Initially published anonymously, the true authorship remained a mystery for over a century, with Boston antiquarians eventually suggesting the poet Sarah (Apthorp) Morton, who was intertwined in the real-life drama, as the likely author. However, in the autumn of 1894, following the release of this recordings edition, William Hill Brown’s niece finally revealed the truth, confirming him as the true author. (Summary by TriciaG using public domain sources)
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    12 mins
  • 013 - Letter 39

    013 - Letter 39
    Jan 6 2026
    The Power of Sympathy, published in Boston in January 1789, holds the distinction of being the first American novel. This captivating epistolary tale unfolds the tragic romance between an orphaned girl and a man of good family, culminating in a dramatic twist and heart-wrenching conclusion. Inspired by a real scandal within the Apthorp family of Boston, the characters of Ophelia and Martin echo the tumultuous events of their lives. Initially published anonymously, the true authorship remained a mystery for over a century, with Boston antiquarians eventually suggesting the poet Sarah (Apthorp) Morton, who was intertwined in the real-life drama, as the likely author. However, in the autumn of 1894, following the release of this recordings edition, William Hill Brown’s niece finally revealed the truth, confirming him as the true author. (Summary by TriciaG using public domain sources)
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    26 mins