The Well Told Tale

Our next story has seen numerous adaptations, including films, plays, radio dramas, and even a theme park ride.  'Journey to the Centre of the Earth', a classic by Jules Verne first published in French in 1864, gained further popularity with the English translation by Frederick Amadeus Malleson in 1877.  This is the edition we have selected to read. You can support the channel via our Pa...

Our story this week is by Miles J Breuer, an American-Czech physician who wrote science fiction and short stories in his spare time.  This story is typical of Breuer's writing: fast paced and full of interesting ideas. In this case, what would you do if, driving down the road, you suddenly encountered a Roman legion...? You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thew...

We rejoin Nathaniel in Australia, where he is excavating ancient ruins. He believes these ruins are the place where he was held captive during his period of amnesia. Despite his apprehensions, he finds himself increasingly drawn into the darkness of the excavation site. What horrors await him? You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ thewelltoldtale Books - (buying boo...

Last week, we learned more about our protagonist, Nathaniel Wingate Peaslee, as he worked through what happened to him between 1908 and 1913. Piecing it all together from his dreams and accounts of others who seem to have gone through the same thing, it seems too incredible to be true - could some...thing really have taken over his body during that time? You can support the channel via our Patreon...

Last week, we were introduced to our protagonist, Nathaniel Wingate Peaslee, who cannot remember what happened to him between 1908 and 1913. During that time, it appears he was overtaken by another personality. He has dreams of being a prisoner in an alien land. Nathaniel also discovered that he is not the only person who has experienced these feelings and dreams. What could it all mean? You can s...

We revisit one of our favorite authors, H.P. Lovecraft. In this story, Lovecraft delves into themes of psychological horror and the fragility of sanity. Influenced by the film Berkeley Square, Lovecraft believed that writing this novella helped him solve the conceptual problems of time travel portrayed in Berkeley Square. You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewell...

This week we have an original fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen: The Ugly Duckling. Was it inspired by the bullying Hans Christian Andersen faced as a child, or by his discovery that he was the illegitimate son of Prince Christian Frederick? Whatever the inspiration, it's a tale that still resonates today.  You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldta...

Mr Cavor's messages from the Moon continue. In his latest communication, he has revealed that he is set to meet the leader of the Selenites: the Grand Lunar. Will this be the last time we hear from him? You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local boo...

A Dutch Scientist has contacted Mr Bedford: Mr Julius Wendigee, who claims he has received messages from Mr Cavor on the Moon.  Mr Bedford is eager to find out what happened to Cavor... You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to...

After finding the Sphere, Mr Bedford was unable to find Mr Cavour.  Without knowing Mr Cavour's fate, Mr Bedford has left the moon.  Now, all he needs to do is figure out how to land the Sphere on Earth... You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local...

Things aren’t looking good for our duo. Although they have managed to escape the Selenites, they still need to find the sphere to return to Earth. They have split up in hopes of locating the sphere before the cold lunar night sets in... You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel wh...

Mr Bedford & Mr Cavour managed to escape the Selenites, but is their freedom going to be short-lived? You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to you): Books by our favourite authors - https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-well-to...

In our previous episode, Mr. Cavor and Mr. Bedford tried to communicate with the Selenites, hoping to prove they, too, are intelligent beings.  So far, their efforts have been unsuccesssful. However, our duo still hopes to escape.  Will an opportunity present itself as the Selenites move them to somewhere new? You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Boo...

The mysterious Selenites have captured Mr Bedford & Mr Cavor on the moon.  How will they escape? You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to you): Books by our favourite authors - https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-well-told-ta...

In our last episode, Mr Cavour and Mr Bedford found plant life on the surface of the moon.  But lost the sphere in the course of their investigations.  What other surprises does the moon hold for our heroes? You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local boo...

After surveying the surface of the Moon, Mr. Bedford and Mr. Cavor have found living plants. The next logical step is to leave the sphere and investigate, but are they ready? You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to you): Books...

Mr Bedford and Mr Cavor have landed on the moon and are ready to explore... You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to you): Books by our favourite authors - https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-well-told-tale Buy The First Men in t...

Mr. Bedford and Mr. Cavor have set off on an adventure, heading to the moon in their spaceship... You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to you): Books by our favourite authors - https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-well-told-tale...

Last week, we were introduced to our main characters: the businessman Mr. Bedford and the scientist Mr. Cavor, who has invented a new anti-gravity material called "Cavorite." Mr. Bedford believes that Cavorite has the potential to be profitable, but they still need to find a practical use for it... You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books...

This week, we're starting a classic science fiction novel, "The First Men in the Moon" by H.G. Wells. It's not as well-known as Wells' other works, but it's equally important. This book seems to be inspired by Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" and is believed to contain the first depiction of 'the alien hive mind'. Many science fictio...

Today's Tale was one of  six stories to appear in the very first issue of 'Amazing Stories' magazine. In 1926 it was the first magazine devoted to science fiction. You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to you): B...

This week we return to The Brothers Grimm and two of their classic fairy tales.  Tom Thumb: an old English folk tale and Rupelstiltskin a German folktale with roman and greek traditions. You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to...

We continue the story of Black Colossus.  Natohk a mysterious and powerful sourceror advances upon the kingdom of Khoraja, ruled by Princess Yasmela; who has enlisted Conan to lead her army against Natohk. But who is Natohk and how will Conan beat him in the battle to come?... You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Booksh...

We return to the tales of Conan:  Black Colossus by Robert E. Howard.  This story is a turning point for Conan from mercenary to the road to becoming a King... You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps support this channel while also supporting local bookshops, at no cost to you): Books by our favouri...

This week's tale is the fairy tale Rapunzel.  Over time there have been several variations of this tale and it continues to be told with modern day twists.  Enjoy this version from the Brothers Grimm translated by Edgar Taylor & Marian Edwardes... You can support the channel via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thewelltoldtale Books - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop helps sup...