Franz Kafka: Metamorphosis (with forward and Quixplainer)
Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis,” inarguably his most famous work, tells the story of Gregor Samsa, who inexplicably transforms into an insect and his – and his family’s – reaction to that…
Brothers Grimm — The Hare’s Bride
Imagine if you will that a rabbit eats all of your cabbages. Then imagine that while you’re asking him not to, he whisks you away and forces you to marry…
Beatrix Potter — The Tale of Mrs. Tiggywinkle
July 28th is the birthday of Beatrix Potter. So in her honor, I decided to record one of her wonderful animal tales. The main character, Mrs. Tiggywinkle, was reportedly named…
HP Lovecraft — Azathoth
“Azathoth” is the beginning of a never-completed novel written by H. P. Lovecraft in June 1922. It was published as a fragment in the journal Leaves in 1938, after Lovecraft’s…
Remembering Philip Seymour Hoffman with some birthday trivia
Today we’re celebrating the life and unparalleled career of one of modern cinema’s greatest actors, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Ten questions. Multiple choice. No cheating. And don’t forget to subscribe!
HP Lovecraft — Memory
In H.P. Lovecraft’s prose poem “Memory,” two ancient, elemental entities observe the crumbling ruins of a long-extinct humanity, reflecting on how mankind’s forgotten existence is now echoed only in mimicry.
Brothers Grimm — Allerleirauh
After her widower father takes the phrase “keep it in the family” way too literally, a princess flees her arranged marriage wearing a fur coat made from a thousand different…
Edgar Allan Poe: Never Bet The Devil Your Head
Edgar Allan Poe’s “Never Bet the Devil Your Head” is essentially a morbid cautionary tale about why you shouldn’t overuse a catchphrase … and why you shouldn’t make bets with…
Brothers Grimm — The Golden Goose
“The Golden Goose” is essentially the Brothers Grimm inventing the world’s most awkward, magical conga line. Of course, in typical Brothers Grimm style, there’s three brothers and one of them…
Lionel Messi by the numbers: 10 trivia questions about the World Cup record holder
The man who just broke a FIFA World Cup record for number of goals scored also just happens to be celebrating a birthday today. So for Life Story, I thought…