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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--7129670</link><description><![CDATA[Step into the whimsical and vibrant world of "At the Sign of the Cat and Racket," where the interplay of social classes and the complexities of love unfold against a backdrop of Parisian charm. This podcast invites you to explore a rotating collection of audiobooks that delve into themes of bourgeois propriety, artistic aspiration, and the delightful tension of romance across societal divides. Each episode features a new complete audiobook, offering unique explorations of domestic life, ambition, and the ways in which individuals navigate the intricate dance of relationships. As you listen, you'll encounter characters from various walks of life, each with their own stories to tell, reflecting the rich tapestry of human experience. Discover a new book with every episode and immerse yourself in narratives that resonate with the timeless themes of love, art, and social dynamics, all while celebrating the enchanting essence of a bygone era.]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7129670/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/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.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--7129670</link></image><lastBuildDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:15:59 +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/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Step into the whimsical and vibrant world of "At the Sign of the Cat and Racket," where the interplay of social classes and the complexities of love unfold against a backdrop of Parisian charm. This podcast invites you to explore a rotating collection...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Step into the whimsical and vibrant world of "At the Sign of the Cat and Racket," where the interplay of social classes and the complexities of love unfold against a backdrop of Parisian charm. This podcast invites you to explore a rotating collection of audiobooks that delve into themes of bourgeois propriety, artistic aspiration, and the delightful tension of romance across societal divides. Each episode features a new complete audiobook, offering unique explorations of domestic life, ambition, and the ways in which individuals navigate the intricate dance of relationships. As you listen, you'll encounter characters from various walks of life, each with their own stories to tell, reflecting the rich tapestry of human experience. Discover a new book with every episode and immerse yourself in narratives that resonate with the timeless themes of love, art, and social dynamics, all while celebrating the enchanting essence of a bygone era.]]></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>c0814df8-2df3-5a0c-a469-05a5b0c98903</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Love in a Mask, or Imprudence and Happiness-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/love-in-a-mask-or-imprudence-and-happiness-honore-de-balzac--74655323</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/74655323</guid><pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:02:26 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74655323/love_in_a_mask_or_imprudence_and_happiness_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="51049972" 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>6375</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Shadow-Line-Joseph Conrad</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/shadow-line-joseph-conrad--74618985</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/74618985</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:02:35 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74618985/shadow_line_joseph_conrad.mp3" length="111923338" 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>13976</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus (Edition 1831)-Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/frankenstein-or-the-modern-prometheus-edition-1831-mary-wollstonecraft-shelley--74586359</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/74586359</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:02:28 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74586359/frankenstein_or_the_modern_prometheus_edition_1831_mary_wollstonecraft_shelley.mp3" length="252257070" 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>31500</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Crisis A Record of the Darker Races, Vol. I, No. 5-W. E. B. Du Bois</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/crisis-a-record-of-the-darker-races-vol-i-no-5-w-e-b-du-bois--74554741</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/74554741</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:02:21 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74554741/crisis_a_record_of_the_darker_races_vol_i_no_5_w_e_b_du_bois.mp3" length="69377394" 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>8664</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Watsons (Dramatic Reading)-Jane Austen, L. Oulton</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/watsons-dramatic-reading-jane-austen-l-oulton--74522495</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/74522495</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:08:26 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74522495/watsons_dramatic_reading_jane_austen_l_oulton.mp3" length="112077080" 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>13995</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>In the Garden of Delight-Lily Hammond</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/in-the-garden-of-delight-lily-hammond--74492418</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/74492418</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:08:17 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74492418/in_the_garden_of_delight_lily_hammond.mp3" length="175845959" 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>21959</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Hester A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 2-Margaret O. Oliphant</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/hester-a-story-of-contemporary-life-volume-2-margaret-o-oliphant--74452053</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/74452053</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:07:35 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74452053/hester_a_story_of_contemporary_life_volume_2_margaret_o_oliphant.mp3" length="188993544" 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>23601</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Crisis A Record of the Darker Races, Vol. I, No. 4-W. E. B. Du Bois</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/crisis-a-record-of-the-darker-races-vol-i-no-4-w-e-b-du-bois--74419850</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/74419850</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:08:13 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74419850/crisis_a_record_of_the_darker_races_vol_i_no_4_w_e_b_du_bois.mp3" length="69435279" 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>8671</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.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--74371615</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/74371615</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:08:26 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74371615/6850_maid_of_maiden_lane_dramatic_reading_amelia_e_barr.mp3" length="238049339" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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>29726</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Is Shakespeare Dead-Mark Twain</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/is-shakespeare-dead-mark-twain--74332564</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/74332564</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:49:57 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74332564/is_shakespeare_dead_mark_twain.mp3" length="85255632" 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>10646</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.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--74189372</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/74189372</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:08:26 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74189372/another_study_of_woman_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="47390812" 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>5918</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.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--74142466</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/74142466</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:08:39 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74142466/thy_soul_shall_bear_witness_selma_lagerlo_f.mp3" length="128685734" 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>16069</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.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--74105310</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/74105310</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:07:46 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74105310/girl_with_the_golden_eyes_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="130082087" 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>16244</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.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--73385114</link><description><![CDATA["Ball at Sceaux" by Honoré de Balzac invites listeners into the intricate social dynamics of French high society, centered around a lavish ball that serves as a backdrop for ambition, love, and rivalry. This novella explores the themes of social status and the pursuit of wealth, which remain relevant today as we navigate our own social landscapes. Balzac's keen observations on human nature and societal expectations resonate across time, reminding us of the timeless struggles for acceptance and the complexities of personal relationships. Engaging with this classic work offers a rich perspective on the enduring nature of ambition and the intricate dance of social interactions.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73385114</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:50:14 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73385114/ball_at_sceaux_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="78637454" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Honoré de Balzac</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Ball at Sceaux" by Honoré de Balzac invites listeners into the intricate social dynamics of French high society, centered around a lavish ball that serves as a backdrop for ambition, love, and rivalry. This novella explores the themes of social...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Ball at Sceaux" by Honoré de Balzac invites listeners into the intricate social dynamics of French high society, centered around a lavish ball that serves as a backdrop for ambition, love, and rivalry. This novella explores the themes of social status and the pursuit of wealth, which remain relevant today as we navigate our own social landscapes. Balzac's keen observations on human nature and societal expectations resonate across time, reminding us of the timeless struggles for acceptance and the complexities of personal relationships. Engaging with this classic work offers a rich perspective on the enduring nature of ambition and the intricate dance of social interactions.]]></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/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.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--72689438</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/72689438</guid><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:03:49 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72689438/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/f1de7f91-5373-4e2a-baad-43764b1e00d5/f1de7f91-5373-4e2a-baad-43764b1e00d5.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/f1de7f91-5373-4e2a-baad-43764b1e00d5/f1de7f91-5373-4e2a-baad-43764b1e00d5.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/f1de7f91-5373-4e2a-baad-43764b1e00d5/f1de7f91-5373-4e2a-baad-43764b1e00d5.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. 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>9965</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>balzac,cartoon,cat,maison,pelote,prim,racket,racquetball,sign,woos</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/7730c2678b5576b534a70b245d1a2195.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
