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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>Second Home</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/second-home--7129668</link><description><![CDATA[Welcome to "Second Home," a podcast that delves into the complexities of relationships, domesticity, and the search for belonging. This rotating collection of complete audiobooks invites listeners to explore the various dimensions of home, both as a physical space and an emotional sanctuary. Each episode presents a new narrative that examines the intricate ties of family, love, and the often conflicting desires for personal freedom and societal acceptance. Through diverse voices and perspectives, these stories illuminate the challenges and joys of finding a place to call home in a world that is constantly shifting. As you immerse yourself in these unique explorations, you will discover the profound impact of human connections and the struggles that shape our understanding of what it truly means to belong. Tune in and uncover a new book with every episode, enriching your journey through the tapestry of life and relationships.]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7129668/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/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg</url><title>Second Home</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/second-home--7129668</link></image><lastBuildDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:18:18 +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/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Welcome to "Second Home," a podcast that delves into the complexities of relationships, domesticity, and the search for belonging. This rotating collection of complete audiobooks invites listeners to explore the various dimensions of home, both as a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Welcome to "Second Home," a podcast that delves into the complexities of relationships, domesticity, and the search for belonging. This rotating collection of complete audiobooks invites listeners to explore the various dimensions of home, both as a physical space and an emotional sanctuary. Each episode presents a new narrative that examines the intricate ties of family, love, and the often conflicting desires for personal freedom and societal acceptance. Through diverse voices and perspectives, these stories illuminate the challenges and joys of finding a place to call home in a world that is constantly shifting. As you immerse yourself in these unique explorations, you will discover the profound impact of human connections and the struggles that shape our understanding of what it truly means to belong. Tune in and uncover a new book with every episode, enriching your journey through the tapestry of life and relationships.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Fiction"/><itunes:category text="Fiction"><itunes:category text="Drama"/></itunes:category><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>f122f21f-a25c-58dc-a2c2-c1e3f131a378</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Later Life-Louis Couperus</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/later-life-louis-couperus--74622344</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74622344</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:02:39 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74622344/later_life_louis_couperus.mp3" length="233338167" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>29138</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Alice Adams-Booth Tarkington</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/alice-adams-booth-tarkington--74589820</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74589820</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:02:47 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74589820/alice_adams_booth_tarkington.mp3" length="217733183" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>27190</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Ball at Sceaux-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/ball-at-sceaux-honore-de-balzac--74558242</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74558242</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:02:32 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74558242/ball_at_sceaux_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="78637454" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>9820</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>St. George and St. Michael, Volume 3-George MacDonald</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/st-george-and-st-michael-volume-3-george-macdonald--74525975</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74525975</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:08:40 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74525975/st_george_and_st_michael_volume_3_george_macdonald.mp3" length="171166465" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>21374</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Trachiniai (Campbell Translation)-Sophocles</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/trachiniai-campbell-translation-sophocles--74495388</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74495388</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:08:28 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74495388/10496_trachiniai_campbell_translation_sophocles.mp3" length="34237666" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>4275</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Heptameron of the Tales of Margaret, Queen of Navarre, Volume 4-Marguerite of Navarre</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/heptameron-of-the-tales-of-margaret-queen-of-navarre-volume-4-marguerite-of-navarre--74455617</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74455617</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:07:51 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74455617/heptameron_of_the_tales_of_margaret_queen_of_navarre_volume_4_marguerite_of_navarre.mp3" length="111438738" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>13916</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Another Study of Woman-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/another-study-of-woman-honore-de-balzac--74423177</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74423177</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:08:26 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74423177/another_study_of_woman_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="47390812" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>5918</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Country House-John Galsworthy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/country-house-john-galsworthy--74376641</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74376641</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:40:59 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74376641/country_house_john_galsworthy.mp3" length="262503019" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>32780</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Thy Soul Shall Bear Witness!-Selma Lagerlöf</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/thy-soul-shall-bear-witness-selma-lagerlof--74336863</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74336863</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 20:11:30 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74336863/thy_soul_shall_bear_witness_selma_lagerlo_f.mp3" length="128685734" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>16069</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Maid of Maiden Lane (dramatic reading)-Amelia E. Barr</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/maid-of-maiden-lane-dramatic-reading-amelia-e-barr--74194442</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74194442</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:08:57 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74194442/6850_maid_of_maiden_lane_dramatic_reading_amelia_e_barr.mp3" length="238049339" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>29726</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Man of the Desert-Grace Livingston Hill</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/man-of-the-desert-grace-livingston-hill--74147766</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74147766</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:08:52 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74147766/man_of_the_desert_grace_livingston_hill.mp3" length="164173432" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>20501</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Nami-ko-Kenjiro Tokutomi</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/nami-ko-kenjiro-tokutomi--74108524</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74108524</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:08:07 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74108524/nami_ko_kenjiro_tokutomi.mp3" length="213177001" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>26621</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Armand Durand-Rosanna Eleanor Leprohon</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/armand-durand-rosanna-eleanor-leprohon--73388698</link><description><![CDATA["Armand Durand-Rosanna Eleanor Leprohon" invites listeners into a rich tapestry of narrative that explores the lives and experiences of its titular characters. This audiobook delves into themes of identity, culture, and the complexities of human relationships, making it a timeless exploration of the human condition. With its profound insights and emotional depth, the story resonates with contemporary audiences, reminding us of the enduring struggles and triumphs that shape our lives. Engaging and thought-provoking, this work offers a compelling reflection on the intricacies of love and belonging, ensuring its relevance continues to shine through the ages.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73388698</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:13:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73388698/armand_durand_rosanna_eleanor_leprohon.mp3" length="221955412" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Armand Durand-Rosanna Eleanor Leprohon" invites listeners into a rich tapestry of narrative that explores the lives and experiences of its titular characters. This audiobook delves into themes of identity, culture, and the complexities of human...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Armand Durand-Rosanna Eleanor Leprohon" invites listeners into a rich tapestry of narrative that explores the lives and experiences of its titular characters. This audiobook delves into themes of identity, culture, and the complexities of human relationships, making it a timeless exploration of the human condition. With its profound insights and emotional depth, the story resonates with contemporary audiences, reminding us of the enduring struggles and triumphs that shape our lives. Engaging and thought-provoking, this work offers a compelling reflection on the intricacies of love and belonging, ensuring its relevance continues to shine through the ages.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>27717</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Second Home - Honore de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/second-home-honore-de-balzac--72689435</link><description><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72689435</guid><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:03:39 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72689435/second_home_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="97069390" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[This novella was first published in French in 1830, with the title “La femme vertueuse” (“The virtuous woman”). In an 1842 edition, the title was changed to “Une double famille” (“A double family”). For Balzac, success in marital relations depended on partners being well matched both in temperament and in social class. In this story, a young lawyer marries a childhood friend, only to discover too late that she has become narrow-mindedly religious. She is described as a “bigot.” (In French, the word specifically suggests religious prudery more than it does in English.) To escape the sanctimonious chill of this marital home, the lawyer sets up an impoverished seamstress as his mistress. The story explores the plight of women and the pathology of marriage. - Summary by Bruce Pirie]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>12134</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>balzac,bigot,double,famille,femme,home,lawyer,marital,sanctimonious,vertueuse</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/5b8a0580d638854dfd12044fb8fb7d47.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
