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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--7088453</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7088453/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Books</category><copyright>Copyright Literary Fiction Genre</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.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--7088453</link></image><lastBuildDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:05:27 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Literary Fiction Genre</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker64@podcastlibrary.org</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Kids &amp; Family"><itunes:category text="Pets &amp; Animals"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Science"><itunes:category text="Nature"/></itunes:category><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>b38c5035-eff6-597f-980c-abe63cb52314</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>To the Lighthouse' by Virginia Woolf Contemporary Reviews (1927)-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/to-the-lighthouse-by-virginia-woolf-contemporary-reviews-1927-various--74061358</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74061358</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:00:40 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74061358/to_the_lighthouse_by_virginia_woolf_contemporary_reviews_1927_various.mp3" length="88307039" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>11027</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Black Cat Vol. 01 No. 01 October 1895-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/black-cat-vol-01-no-01-october-1895-various--74037020</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74037020</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:02:03 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74037020/black_cat_vol_01_no_01_october_1895_various.mp3" length="57849210" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>7224</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Short Stories (Household Words 1850-53)-Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/short-stories-household-words-1850-53-elizabeth-cleghorn-gaskell--74015140</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74015140</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:01:52 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74015140/short_stories_household_words_1850_53_elizabeth_cleghorn_gaskell.mp3" length="287323199" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. 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What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>35879</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Foxe's Book of Martyrs Vol 2: Lives and Deaths of Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs-Forbush, Foxe</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/foxe-s-book-of-martyrs-vol-2-lives-and-deaths-of-early-christian-and-protestant-martyrs-forbush-foxe--73990254</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73990254</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:01:24 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73990254/foxe_s_book_of_martyrs_vol_2_lives_and_deaths_of_early_christian_and_protestant_martyrs_forbush_foxe.mp3" length="274822740" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>34318</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Town is Drowning-C. M. Kornbluth, Frederik Pohl</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/town-is-drowning-c-m-kornbluth-frederik-pohl--73967226</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73967226</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:01:30 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73967226/town_is_drowning_c_m_kornbluth_frederik_pohl.mp3" length="132353313" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>16527</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Japanese Girls and Women-Alice Bacon</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/japanese-girls-and-women-alice-bacon--73944634</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. 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The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>27994</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Molly Brown's Senior Days-Nell Speed</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/molly-brown-s-senior-days-nell-speed--73919849</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73919849</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:01:10 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73919849/molly_brown_s_senior_days_nell_speed.mp3" length="174389800" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>21777</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Purple Springs-Nellie McClung</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/purple-springs-nellie-mcclung--73895173</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73895173</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:01:38 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73895173/purple_springs_nellie_mcclung.mp3" length="250554670" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>31288</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Recollections of Life in Ohio, from 1813-1840-William Cooper Howells</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/recollections-of-life-in-ohio-from-1813-1840-william-cooper-howells--73871113</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73871113</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:01:29 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73871113/recollections_of_life_in_ohio_from_1813_1840_william_cooper_howells.mp3" length="189716772" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. 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The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73851284</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:01:25 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73851284/prelude_to_adventure_hugh_walpole.mp3" length="177880577" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>22213</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Mortal Coils-Aldous Huxley</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/mortal-coils-aldous-huxley--73834473</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73834473</guid><pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 09:02:16 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73834473/mortal_coils_aldous_huxley.mp3" length="152960265" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>19101</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Search-Grace Livingston Hill</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/search-grace-livingston-hill--73797501</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73797501</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:27:39 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73797501/search_grace_livingston_hill.mp3" length="171215079" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>21381</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Second Home-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/second-home-honore-de-balzac--73342136</link><description><![CDATA["Second Home" by Honoré de Balzac invites listeners into a world where the intricacies of human relationships and societal dynamics unfold with poignant clarity. This work explores themes of belonging, ambition, and the quest for identity, resonating with anyone who has ever grappled with their place in the world. Balzac's keen observations and rich characterizations offer timeless insights into the human condition, making it a compelling listen for contemporary audiences. The enduring relevance of these themes ensures that "Second Home" remains a significant exploration of personal and social landscapes, echoing the complexities of life that continue to shape our experiences today.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73342136</guid><pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 16:37:10 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73342136/second_home_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="97169247" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Second Home" by Honoré de Balzac invites listeners into a world where the intricacies of human relationships and societal dynamics unfold with poignant clarity. This work explores themes of belonging, ambition, and the quest for identity, resonating...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Second Home" by Honoré de Balzac invites listeners into a world where the intricacies of human relationships and societal dynamics unfold with poignant clarity. This work explores themes of belonging, ambition, and the quest for identity, resonating with anyone who has ever grappled with their place in the world. Balzac's keen observations and rich characterizations offer timeless insights into the human condition, making it a compelling listen for contemporary audiences. The enduring relevance of these themes ensures that "Second Home" remains a significant exploration of personal and social landscapes, echoing the complexities of life that continue to shape our experiences today.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>12134</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d76950b0367f60d05ce69eab5e6a1fc5.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>At the Sign of the Cat and Racket - Honore de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/at-the-sign-of-the-cat-and-racket-honore-de-balzac--72389448</link><description><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. What follows is a poignant picture of domestic life and the stress that ensues when different social classes meet and marry. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72389448</guid><pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:55:44 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72389448/at_the_sign_of_the_cat_and_racket_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="79716561" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/4bcac658-0a8d-44ee-939c-a4fb5795ac2e/4bcac658-0a8d-44ee-939c-a4fb5795ac2e.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/4bcac658-0a8d-44ee-939c-a4fb5795ac2e/4bcac658-0a8d-44ee-939c-a4fb5795ac2e.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/4bcac658-0a8d-44ee-939c-a4fb5795ac2e/4bcac658-0a8d-44ee-939c-a4fb5795ac2e.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The short novel “At the Sign of the Cat and Racket” was one of Balzac’s earliest fictions, first published in 1830 and substantially revised in following years. The title (“La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote”) refers to a sign that hangs over a Parisian fabric shop, depicting a cartoon cat playing racquetball. The business is owned by a family with a narrow view of prim bourgeois propriety. Their complacency is disrupted when a gifted young man of artistic temperament and aristocratic upbringing woos their daughter. 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