Hush & Fable

In episode six, we begin the first chapters of Frankenstein. Chapters one and two are covered in this episode, as well as some final thoughts on who Shelley modeled the mother after. We just straight into the story in the beginning of the podcast, and save all dialogue and thoughts for the final section of the episode. Content warnings for today's episode include infant death and incest. Pleas...

In episode five, we finally begin Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. We begin with the first four letters of the work, which are in this episode. We discuss Mary Shelley's tragic life, her dances with loss, and the hypothesized influences on her work. What does Frankenstein mean to you? We look at allegories for Frankenstein and the possibilities of what it represents. Next episode we will begin...

In episode four, we finish John Polidori's The Vampyre. We discuss one particularly uncomfortable but common trope in gothic fiction; Where did it come from and what purpose does it serve? Additionally, what do YOU think of when you think of Gothic Horror? What stories or themes come to mind for you? Content warnings for today's episode include: incest, emaciation, mention of insanity, med...

In this episode, we read part one of John Polidori's The Vampyre shortly after discussing the impact of this work on gothic horror fiction and the Vampire genre as a whole. We revisit the Summer of Discontent from John Polidori's perspective and how his relationships influenced his work and life. We also discuss what's coming up next on Hush & Fable. Content warnings for today'...

Episode two takes us to the famous summer weekend where four writer besties get drunk, possibly also high, and challenge one another to a writing contest of the supernatural variety. Also someone gets pregnant. We read Lord Byron's "Darkness," followed by the introduction of John Polidori's The Vampyre. Content warnings for today's episode include: mention of mental illness,...

Episode one features Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart. With Halloween coming up, future episodes will cover other dark and gothic fiction, including The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and more. Content warnings for today's episode include: mention of madness, homicide, description of murder, dismemberment, and a mental health episode.  Introduction...

Hush & Fable is a narrative podcast of told stories and books available through public domain. Each story, chapter, and book is narrated by Joy (sensitivejoy). The podcast is designed to be enjoyed as you rest, work, or slip into a comfortable, easeful place. If you enjoy narrative podcasts, this is a place you might enjoy cozying up and staying a while.