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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>Commission in Lunacy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/commission-in-lunacy--7129666</link><description><![CDATA[Delve into the intricate interplay of sanity, societal expectations, and personal ambition as "Commission in Lunacy" sets the stage for a compelling exploration of human psychology and the legal intricacies surrounding mental competence. This podcast invites listeners to engage with a rotating collection of audiobooks that navigate the complexities of character and motive, reflecting on how the perceptions of mental health have evolved over time. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that unravels the layers of aristocratic life, moral dilemmas, and the often turbulent quest for self-determination within the constraints of societal norms. Through these unique narratives, listeners are encouraged to contemplate the fine line between sanity and madness, as well as the profound impact of personal relationships on one's sense of identity. Discover a new book with every episode, and immerse yourself in tales that resonate with the timeless themes of power, control, and the human condition.]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7129666/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Books</category><copyright>Copyright 1900s genre</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg</url><title>Commission in Lunacy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/commission-in-lunacy--7129666</link></image><lastBuildDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:17:40 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>1900s genre</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker77@podcastlibrary.org</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Delve into the intricate interplay of sanity, societal expectations, and personal ambition as "Commission in Lunacy" sets the stage for a compelling exploration of human psychology and the legal intricacies surrounding mental competence. This podcast...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Delve into the intricate interplay of sanity, societal expectations, and personal ambition as "Commission in Lunacy" sets the stage for a compelling exploration of human psychology and the legal intricacies surrounding mental competence. This podcast invites listeners to engage with a rotating collection of audiobooks that navigate the complexities of character and motive, reflecting on how the perceptions of mental health have evolved over time. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that unravels the layers of aristocratic life, moral dilemmas, and the often turbulent quest for self-determination within the constraints of societal norms. Through these unique narratives, listeners are encouraged to contemplate the fine line between sanity and madness, as well as the profound impact of personal relationships on one's sense of identity. Discover a new book with every episode, and immerse yourself in tales that resonate with the timeless themes of power, control, and the human condition.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Health &amp; Fitness"/><itunes:category text="Health &amp; Fitness"><itunes:category text="Mental Health"/></itunes:category><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>77654bed-f6c1-5cac-b17c-42402c21b43c</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Monday or Tuesday-Virginia Woolf</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/monday-or-tuesday-virginia-woolf--74656077</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74656077</guid><pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:02:26 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74656077/monday_or_tuesday_virginia_woolf.mp3" length="58158943" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>7263</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Blue Review, Number 1-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/blue-review-number-1-various--74619504</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74619504</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:02:31 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74619504/blue_review_number_1_various.mp3" length="86670409" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>10823</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>All the Sad Young Men-F. Scott Fitzgerald</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/all-the-sad-young-men-f-scott-fitzgerald--74586884</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74586884</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:02:30 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74586884/all_the_sad_young_men_f_scott_fitzgerald.mp3" length="196546740" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). 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In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>24544</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Unknown Masterpiece-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/unknown-masterpiece-honore-de-balzac--74555321</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74555321</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:02:23 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74555321/20981_unknown_masterpiece_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="41407466" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>5171</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>1891 Collection-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/1891-collection-various--74523193</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74523193</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:08:27 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74523193/1891_collection_various.mp3" length="168790685" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>21078</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Girl with the Golden Eyes-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/girl-with-the-golden-eyes-honore-de-balzac--74492851</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74492851</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:08:28 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74492851/girl_with_the_golden_eyes_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="130082087" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>16244</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Elizabeth's Pretenders-Hamilton Aïdé</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/elizabeth-s-pretenders-hamilton-aide--74452620</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. 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In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>32927</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Astrophel and Stella-Sir Philip Sidney</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/astrophel-and-stella-sir-philip-sidney--74420363</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. 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In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6054</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Colonel Chabert (Version 2)-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/colonel-chabert-version-2-honore-de-balzac--74372537</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. 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An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>10917</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Colonel's Dream-Charles Waddell Chesnutt</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/colonel-s-dream-charles-waddell-chesnutt--74333327</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. 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An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>32741</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Backwater (Pilgrimage, Vol. 2)-Dorothy Richardson</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/backwater-pilgrimage-vol-2-dorothy-richardson--74190193</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74190193</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:08:38 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74190193/backwater_pilgrimage_vol_2_dorothy_richardson.mp3" length="157472568" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>19664</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.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--74143476</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74143476</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:08:42 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74143476/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 Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - 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/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Shadow-Line-Joseph Conrad</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/shadow-line-joseph-conrad--74105886</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74105886</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:08:10 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74105886/shadow_line_joseph_conrad.mp3" length="111923338" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>13976</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Duchess of Langeais-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/duchess-of-langeais-honore-de-balzac--73385611</link><description><![CDATA["Duchess of Langeais" by Honoré de Balzac delves into the intricate dynamics of love, desire, and societal expectations in 19th-century France. The narrative explores the complexities of relationships and the often unbridgeable gap between passion and propriety. This timeless tale resonates today as it reflects the enduring struggles between personal longing and societal constraints, inviting listeners to ponder the nature of love and the roles we play in our relationships. Balzac's keen observations and rich characterizations make this work a compelling examination of the human heart, ensuring its relevance across generations. Immerse yourself in this classic that continues to captivate and provoke thought.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73385611</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:04:36 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73385611/duchess_of_langeais_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="208683253" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Duchess of Langeais" by Honoré de Balzac delves into the intricate dynamics of love, desire, and societal expectations in 19th-century France. The narrative explores the complexities of relationships and the often unbridgeable gap between passion and...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Duchess of Langeais" by Honoré de Balzac delves into the intricate dynamics of love, desire, and societal expectations in 19th-century France. The narrative explores the complexities of relationships and the often unbridgeable gap between passion and propriety. This timeless tale resonates today as it reflects the enduring struggles between personal longing and societal constraints, inviting listeners to ponder the nature of love and the roles we play in our relationships. Balzac's keen observations and rich characterizations make this work a compelling examination of the human heart, ensuring its relevance across generations. Immerse yourself in this classic that continues to captivate and provoke thought.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>26059</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d07db1ea9d44d0c927aca62381b00d3.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Commission in Lunacy - Honore de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/commission-in-lunacy-honore-de-balzac--72689432</link><description><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage his own affairs. To achieve this, the petition must pass through the hands of an examining judge — a man of old-fashioned integrity and conscience. In this story of Parisian society, we see Balzac developing techniques of rich character portrayal and psychological realism. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72689432</guid><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:03:29 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72689432/commission_in_lunacy_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="103621736" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). An aristocratic woman wants the courts to declare her estranged husband mentally incompetent to manage...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[“The Commission in Lunacy” is a short novel first published in 1836 with the French title “L’interdiction” (i.e., “The Ban” or “The Prohibition”). 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