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<rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title>At the Sign of the Cat and Racket</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/at-the-sign-of-the-cat-and-racket--6885684</link><description><![CDATA[Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop where a cartoon cat plays racquetball. The shop is run by a family steeped in the narrow confines of bourgeois propriety, their lives upended by the arrival of a gifted young artist from an aristocratic background who charms their daughter. This beautifully woven tale captures the complexities of domestic life and the tensions that arise when contrasting social classes collide in romance and marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/6885684/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Books</category><copyright>Copyright Fiction Classics</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/67503c65dbd4afe0e424ada7b5742244.jpg</url><title>At the Sign of the Cat and Racket</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/at-the-sign-of-the-cat-and-racket--6885684</link></image><lastBuildDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:30:31 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Fiction Classics</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker27@adfreesounds.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/67503c65dbd4afe0e424ada7b5742244.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop where a cartoon cat plays racquetball. The shop is run by a family steeped in the narrow confines of bourgeois propriety, their lives upended by the arrival of a gifted young artist from an aristocratic background who charms their daughter. This beautifully woven tale captures the complexities of domestic life and the tensions that arise when contrasting social classes collide in romance and marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Fiction"/><itunes:category text="Society &amp; Culture"/><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Murder of Delicia-Marie Corelli</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/murder-of-delicia-marie-corelli--73559232</link><description><![CDATA["Murder of Delicia-Marie Corelli" delves into the enigmatic and tragic demise of a captivating figure, exploring themes of intrigue, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. This gripping tale invites listeners to reflect on the darker aspects of ambition and the consequences of unfulfilled desires. The story's exploration of morality and the human condition remains relevant today, as it resonates with our ongoing fascination with the mysteries of life and death. As listeners journey through this haunting narrative, they will find themselves pondering the timeless questions of justice, legacy, and the shadows that linger in the wake of tragedy.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73559232</guid><pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:30:31 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73559232/murder_of_delicia_marie_corelli.mp3" length="181506010" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Murder of Delicia-Marie Corelli" delves into the enigmatic and tragic demise of a captivating figure, exploring themes of intrigue, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. This gripping tale invites listeners to reflect on the darker...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Murder of Delicia-Marie Corelli" delves into the enigmatic and tragic demise of a captivating figure, exploring themes of intrigue, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. This gripping tale invites listeners to reflect on the darker aspects of ambition and the consequences of unfulfilled desires. The story's exploration of morality and the human condition remains relevant today, as it resonates with our ongoing fascination with the mysteries of life and death. As listeners journey through this haunting narrative, they will find themselves pondering the timeless questions of justice, legacy, and the shadows that linger in the wake of tragedy.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>22666</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/67503c65dbd4afe0e424ada7b5742244.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Home-Maker-Dorothy Canfield Fisher</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/home-maker-dorothy-canfield-fisher--73522338</link><description><![CDATA["Home-Maker" by Dorothy Canfield Fisher explores the complexities of domestic life and the role of women in early 20th-century America. This insightful narrative delves into the struggles and triumphs of homemaking, highlighting the importance of individuality and personal fulfillment within the confines of traditional expectations. Its themes of self-discovery and the pursuit of happiness remain relevant today, as many continue to navigate the balance between personal aspirations and societal roles. Fisher's poignant observations on family dynamics and the essence of home resonate with listeners, making this an enduring story that invites reflection on the evolving nature of domestic life.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73522338</guid><pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:33:12 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73522338/home_maker_dorothy_canfield_fisher.mp3" length="216585745" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Home-Maker" by Dorothy Canfield Fisher explores the complexities of domestic life and the role of women in early 20th-century America. This insightful narrative delves into the struggles and triumphs of homemaking, highlighting the importance of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Home-Maker" by Dorothy Canfield Fisher explores the complexities of domestic life and the role of women in early 20th-century America. This insightful narrative delves into the struggles and triumphs of homemaking, highlighting the importance of individuality and personal fulfillment within the confines of traditional expectations. Its themes of self-discovery and the pursuit of happiness remain relevant today, as many continue to navigate the balance between personal aspirations and societal roles. Fisher's poignant observations on family dynamics and the essence of home resonate with listeners, making this an enduring story that invites reflection on the evolving nature of domestic life.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>27046</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/67503c65dbd4afe0e424ada7b5742244.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>004 - Section 4</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/004-section-4--70166226</link><description><![CDATA[Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop where a cartoon cat plays racquetball. The shop is run by a family steeped in the narrow confines of bourgeois propriety, their lives upended by the arrival of a gifted young artist from an aristocratic background who charms their daughter. This beautifully woven tale captures the complexities of domestic life and the tensions that arise when contrasting social classes collide in romance and marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70166226</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:15:24 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70166226/atthesignofthecatandracket_04_balzac_64kb.mp3" length="13492673" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/74cbc700-5c1a-479b-b50c-0d0a35fd80ea/74cbc700-5c1a-479b-b50c-0d0a35fd80ea.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/74cbc700-5c1a-479b-b50c-0d0a35fd80ea/74cbc700-5c1a-479b-b50c-0d0a35fd80ea.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/74cbc700-5c1a-479b-b50c-0d0a35fd80ea/74cbc700-5c1a-479b-b50c-0d0a35fd80ea.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop where a cartoon cat plays racquetball. The shop is run by a family steeped in the narrow confines of bourgeois propriety, their lives upended by the arrival of a gifted young artist from an aristocratic background who charms their daughter. This beautifully woven tale captures the complexities of domestic life and the tensions that arise when contrasting social classes collide in romance and marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1685</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>art,balzac,class,conflict,culture,family,literature,paris,romance,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/67503c65dbd4afe0e424ada7b5742244.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>003 - Section 3</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/003-section-3--70166225</link><description><![CDATA[Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop where a cartoon cat plays racquetball. The shop is run by a family steeped in the narrow confines of bourgeois propriety, their lives upended by the arrival of a gifted young artist from an aristocratic background who charms their daughter. This beautifully woven tale captures the complexities of domestic life and the tensions that arise when contrasting social classes collide in romance and marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70166225</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:15:23 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70166225/atthesignofthecatandracket_03_balzac_64kb.mp3" length="18668626" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/a2956621-1ed6-4823-a8d0-1c52b6387416/a2956621-1ed6-4823-a8d0-1c52b6387416.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/a2956621-1ed6-4823-a8d0-1c52b6387416/a2956621-1ed6-4823-a8d0-1c52b6387416.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/a2956621-1ed6-4823-a8d0-1c52b6387416/a2956621-1ed6-4823-a8d0-1c52b6387416.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop where a cartoon cat plays racquetball. The shop is run by a family steeped in the narrow confines of bourgeois propriety, their lives upended by the arrival of a gifted young artist from an aristocratic background who charms their daughter. This beautifully woven tale captures the complexities of domestic life and the tensions that arise when contrasting social classes collide in romance and marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>2332</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>art,balzac,class,conflict,culture,family,literature,paris,romance,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/67503c65dbd4afe0e424ada7b5742244.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>002 - Section 2</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/002-section-2--70166224</link><description><![CDATA[Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop where a cartoon cat plays racquetball. The shop is run by a family steeped in the narrow confines of bourgeois propriety, their lives upended by the arrival of a gifted young artist from an aristocratic background who charms their daughter. This beautifully woven tale captures the complexities of domestic life and the tensions that arise when contrasting social classes collide in romance and marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70166224</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:15:21 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70166224/atthesignofthecatandracket_02_balzac_64kb.mp3" length="28260132" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/bcd770a8-ece6-4c7e-b60d-9766047e5b20/bcd770a8-ece6-4c7e-b60d-9766047e5b20.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/bcd770a8-ece6-4c7e-b60d-9766047e5b20/bcd770a8-ece6-4c7e-b60d-9766047e5b20.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/bcd770a8-ece6-4c7e-b60d-9766047e5b20/bcd770a8-ece6-4c7e-b60d-9766047e5b20.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. The title, which translates to La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote, refers to a whimsical sign above a Parisian fabric shop where a cartoon cat plays racquetball. The shop is run by a family steeped in the narrow confines of bourgeois propriety, their lives upended by the arrival of a gifted young artist from an aristocratic background who charms their daughter. This beautifully woven tale captures the complexities of domestic life and the tensions that arise when contrasting social classes collide in romance and marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>3529</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>art,balzac,class,conflict,culture,family,literature,paris,romance,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/67503c65dbd4afe0e424ada7b5742244.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>001 - Section 1</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/001-section-1--70166222</link><description><![CDATA[Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. 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This beautifully woven tale captures the complexities of domestic life and the tensions that arise when contrasting social classes collide in romance and marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70166222</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:15:20 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70166222/atthesignofthecatandracket_01_balzac_64kb.mp3" length="19380495" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/388ff538-17fc-435d-947f-583374cd61d2/388ff538-17fc-435d-947f-583374cd61d2.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/388ff538-17fc-435d-947f-583374cd61d2/388ff538-17fc-435d-947f-583374cd61d2.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/388ff538-17fc-435d-947f-583374cd61d2/388ff538-17fc-435d-947f-583374cd61d2.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Step into the enchanting world of Balzac’s early work, At the Sign of the Cat and Racket, first published in 1830 and later refined. 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