Showing results by author "Samuel Butler" in All Categories

Full-cast dramatisations of six seminal sci-fi novels that have shaped the genre Thrilling and thought-provoking, shocking and satirical; science fiction has long captivated us with its surprising scenarios and subversion of the familiar. Included here are six classics from the past 250 years...

Setting out to make his fortune in a far-off country, a young traveller discovers the remote and beautiful land of Erewhon, and is given a home among its extraordinarily handsome citizens. But their visitor soon discovers that this seemingly ideal community has its faults - here crime is treated indulgently as a malady to be cured, while illness, poverty, and misfortune are cruelly punished, and all machines have been superstitiously destroyed after a bizarre prophecy.

The Iliad, together with The Odyssey, is one of two ancient Greek epic poems traditionally attributed to Homer. The work is commonly dated to the 8th or 7th century BC, and many scholars believe it is the oldest extant work of literature in the Greek language, making it the first work of European literature. The story concerns events during the 10th and final year in the siege of the city of Troy by the Greeks.

Having spent ten years fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus embarks on his journey back to Ithica. To get there he must deceive a giant Cyclops, face Poseidon’s wrath, escape cannibalism, defeat the witch-goddess Circe, skirt the land of the Sirens, sail between a six-headed monster and a raging whirlpool, and escape captivity on the island of Calypso. But perhaps his biggest threat is his prolonged absence from home, as 108 suitors are vying for his wife’s hand in marriage.

With The Way of All Flesh, Samuel Butler threw a subversive brick at the smug face of Victorian domesticity. Published in 1903, a year after Butler's death, the novel is a thinly disguised account of his own childhood and youth "in the bosom of a Christian family." With irony, wit, and sometimes rancor, he savaged contemporary values and beliefs, turning inside-out the conventional novel of a family's life through several generations.

What if everything we believed about morality, crime, health, and machines was reversed? In Erewhon, Samuel Butler delivers a brilliant satirical utopia where illness is treated as a crime, criminals are pitied like the sick, and machines are feared as dangerous competitors to mankind’s future. Originally published in 1872, this classic dystopian novel was far ahead of its time—questioning Victorian values, blind progress, and the foundations of civilization itself.

Originally meant to be heard rather than read, this great epic returns to the oral form for today's listeners.

Erewhon is not only an adventure story but also Butler's satirical inversion of English customs and philosophy in the 19th century. The explorer Higgs discovers a well organised and civilised country - apparently idyllic. However, the body politic has two ruling obsessions, disease is considered a crime and machinery is seen as a threat to the supremacy of man.

A thinly disguised autobiographical novel, The Way of All Flesh is a powerful critique of late Victorian beliefs and values. It tells of several generations of the Pontifex family, with Ernest, son of hypocritical and domineering parents, at the center of its narrative. After a disastrous career in the church, culminating in a spell in prison, Ernest goes on to find his own way in the world, rejecting both Christianity and the strictures imposed by his family.

This brilliant satirical novel, tracing the life and loves of Ernest Pontifex, has continued in popularity since its original publication in 1903. Every generation finds in The Way of All Flesh a reaffirmation of youth's rightful struggle against the tyranny of harsh parents and its admirable will for freedom of personal expression.

Early in his life Samuel Butler began to carry a note-book and to write down in it anything he wanted to remember; it might be something he heard some one say, more commonly it was something he said himself. In one of these notes he gives a reason for making them:“One’s thoughts fly so fast that one must shoot them; it is no use trying to put salt on their tails.”So he bagged as many as he could hit and preserved them, re-written on loose sheets of paper which constituted a sort of museum stored with the wise, beautiful, and strange creatures that were continually winging their way ...

Explore the intriguing ideas of societal norms and philosophical introspection suggested by this classic title, as it challenges perceptions and invites thought-provoking discussions. This podcast brings you a rotating collection of complete audiobooks, with a different title featured each week. Experience a diverse array of perspectives, spanning various time periods and literary styles, offering a rich landscape of thought and imagination. Whether you're seeking intellectual curiosity, insightful exploration, or a literary escape, there's something here for every listener. New books are ...

The Way of All Flesh is a semi-autobiographical novel by Samuel Butler which attacks Victorian-era hypocrisy. Written between 1873 and 1884, it traces four generations of the Pontifex family. It represents a relaxation from the religious outlook from a Calvinistic approach, which is presented as harsh. Butler dared not publish it during his lifetime, but when it was published, it was accepted as part of the general revulsion against Victorianism.

Dive into the thought-provoking world of Erewhon, a novel that challenges the norms of society and explores the complexities of human nature. This captivating narrative invites you to question the very foundations of morality and progress, making it a timeless read that resonates with our modern lives.

The Way of All Flesh (1903) is a compelling semi-autobiographical novel by Samuel Butler that boldly critiques the hypocrisy of the Victorian era. Spanning the lives of four generations of the Pontifex family, the narrative explores the decline of religious fervor, particularly through a Calvinistic lens that Butler portrays as unforgiving. Although he hesitated to publish it during his lifetime, the novel emerged posthumously as a powerful voice against Victorian ideals. Recognized for its impact, it ranks as the 12th greatest novel of the 20th century according to the Modern Library Board of...

Dive into the thought-provoking world of Erewhon, a timeless classic by Samuel Butler that masterfully blends satire, philosophy, and speculative fiction. Set in a mysterious and isolated land, Erewhon explores a society that challenges conventional notions of morality, technology, religion, and justice.

Embark on an evocative journey into the heart of the 19th century with "First Year in Canterbury Settlement," where themes of exploration, ambition, and the challenges of pioneering life come to life. This podcast invites listeners to delve into the rich tapestry of early settlement in New Zealand, exploring the trials and triumphs of those who sought to carve a new existence in a rugged landscape. With every episode featuring a new complete audiobook, listeners will experience a series of unique explorations that illuminate the spirit of adventure and resilience found in the stories of early ...