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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>Benefactress</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/benefactress--7129910</link><description><![CDATA[Explore the rich tapestry of independence, empowerment, and the complexities of human relationships in "Benefactress." This podcast delves into the lives of women who, like Anna Estcourt, seek to forge their own paths in a world that often tries to confine them. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that highlights the struggles and triumphs of characters navigating societal expectations and personal aspirations. From tales of unexpected inheritances to the challenges of opening one’s heart and home to others, these stories embody the spirit of resilience and benevolence. This is not a single narrative but a series of unique explorations that offer insight into the transformative power of self-discovery and altruism. Join us in discovering a new book with every episode and immerse yourself in the journeys of those who dare to change their destinies.]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7129910/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/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg</url><title>Benefactress</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/benefactress--7129910</link></image><lastBuildDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:16:26 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</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/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Explore the rich tapestry of independence, empowerment, and the complexities of human relationships in "Benefactress." This podcast delves into the lives of women who, like Anna Estcourt, seek to forge their own paths in a world that often tries to...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Explore the rich tapestry of independence, empowerment, and the complexities of human relationships in "Benefactress." This podcast delves into the lives of women who, like Anna Estcourt, seek to forge their own paths in a world that often tries to confine them. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that highlights the struggles and triumphs of characters navigating societal expectations and personal aspirations. From tales of unexpected inheritances to the challenges of opening one’s heart and home to others, these stories embody the spirit of resilience and benevolence. This is not a single narrative but a series of unique explorations that offer insight into the transformative power of self-discovery and altruism. Join us in discovering a new book with every episode and immerse yourself in the journeys of those who dare to change their destinies.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="History"/><itunes:category text="Society &amp; Culture"/><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>fa465106-2980-59c3-ad8e-c2453c1246d2</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Lucky Piece A Story of the North Woods-Albert Bigelow Paine</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/lucky-piece-a-story-of-the-north-woods-albert-bigelow-paine--74655520</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74655520</guid><pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:02:25 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74655520/10233_lucky_piece_a_story_of_the_north_woods_albert_bigelow_paine.mp3" length="174722480" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>21819</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Stichus; or, The Parasite Rebuffed-Titus Maccius Plautus</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/stichus-or-the-parasite-rebuffed-titus-maccius-plautus--74619121</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74619121</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:02:29 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74619121/stichus_or_the_parasite_rebuffed_titus_maccius_plautus.mp3" length="40851865" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>5101</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Wanted A Husband-Samuel Hopkins Adams</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/wanted-a-husband-samuel-hopkins-adams--74586489</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74586489</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:02:49 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74586489/8473_wanted_a_husband_samuel_hopkins_adams.mp3" length="151552521" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>18925</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Voice and Public Speaking-John Poole Sandlands</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/voice-and-public-speaking-john-poole-sandlands--74554867</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74554867</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:02:17 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74554867/voice_and_public_speaking_john_poole_sandlands.mp3" length="120606608" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>15061</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>In Old Narragansett-Alice Morse Earle</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/in-old-narragansett-alice-morse-earle--74522672</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74522672</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:08:14 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74522672/in_old_narragansett_alice_morse_earle.mp3" length="110431343" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>13790</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Town is Drowning-C. M. 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Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74492522</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:08:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74492522/town_is_drowning_c_m_kornbluth_frederik_pohl.mp3" length="132353313" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>16527</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Midsummer Night's Dream-William Shakespeare</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/midsummer-night-s-dream-william-shakespeare--74452197</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74452197</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:07:33 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74452197/midsummer_night_s_dream_william_shakespeare.mp3" length="59810368" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>7469</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Sea Voyage-John Fletcher, Philip Massinger</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/sea-voyage-john-fletcher-philip-massinger--74419985</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74419985</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:08:15 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74419985/sea_voyage_john_fletcher_philip_massinger.mp3" length="54732195" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6835</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Armand; or The Peer and The Peasant-Anna Cora Mowatt Ritchie</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/armand-or-the-peer-and-the-peasant-anna-cora-mowatt-ritchie--74371814</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74371814</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:08:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74371814/armand_or_the_peer_and_the_peasant_anna_cora_mowatt_ritchie.mp3" length="54637846" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6823</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Avalanche-Gertrude Atherton</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/avalanche-gertrude-atherton--74332744</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74332744</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:52:52 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74332744/avalanche_gertrude_atherton.mp3" length="122231544" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>15263</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.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--74189562</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74189562</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:08:34 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74189562/thy_soul_shall_bear_witness_selma_lagerlo_f.mp3" length="128685734" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></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/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Germania-Publius Cornelius Tacitus</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/germania-publius-cornelius-tacitus--74142672</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74142672</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:08:47 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74142672/germania_publius_cornelius_tacitus.mp3" length="33594511" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>4195</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Barberry Bush and Eight Other Stories for Girls-Susan Coolidge</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/barberry-bush-and-eight-other-stories-for-girls-susan-coolidge--74105430</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74105430</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:07:49 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74105430/barberry_bush_and_eight_other_stories_for_girls_susan_coolidge.mp3" length="179418911" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. 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Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>22405</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Tenterhooks-Ada Leverson</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/tenterhooks-ada-leverson--73385226</link><description><![CDATA[Tenterhooks by Ada Leverson is a captivating exploration of the intricate dynamics of relationships and the emotional tensions that arise within them. This timeless narrative delves into the delicate balance of love, friendship, and societal expectations, making it a poignant reflection on the human experience. Leverson's keen observations and wit resonate with readers today, reminding us of the challenges we face in navigating our connections with others. The themes of longing and the complexities of intimacy are as relevant now as they were at the time of its writing, ensuring that Tenterhooks remains a compelling listen for those seeking insight into the heart of human interactions.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73385226</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:53:35 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73385226/9418_tenterhooks_ada_leverson.mp3" length="158768773" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Tenterhooks by Ada Leverson is a captivating exploration of the intricate dynamics of relationships and the emotional tensions that arise within them. This timeless narrative delves into the delicate balance of love, friendship, and societal...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Tenterhooks by Ada Leverson is a captivating exploration of the intricate dynamics of relationships and the emotional tensions that arise within them. This timeless narrative delves into the delicate balance of love, friendship, and societal expectations, making it a poignant reflection on the human experience. Leverson's keen observations and wit resonate with readers today, reminding us of the challenges we face in navigating our connections with others. The themes of longing and the complexities of intimacy are as relevant now as they were at the time of its writing, ensuring that Tenterhooks remains a compelling listen for those seeking insight into the heart of human interactions.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>19826</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Benefactress - Elizabeth von Arnim - Part 2</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/benefactress-elizabeth-von-arnim-part-2--72690681</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72690681</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:21 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72690681/benefactress_elizabeth_von_arnim_part_2.mp3" length="49837077" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6230</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>arnim,artfulness,benefactress,estcourt,femininity,gentlewomen,independence,lohm,onward,scornful</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Benefactress - Elizabeth von Arnim - Part 1</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/benefactress-elizabeth-von-arnim-part-1--72690679</link><description><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72690679</guid><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:04:38 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72690679/benefactress_elizabeth_von_arnim_part_1.mp3" length="280449806" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Elizabeth von Arnim</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Anna Estcourt, twenty-five and beautiful, is the penniless ward of her distant brother and his exasperating wife. Turning down all offers of marriage, scornful at the thought of leaning on a man for help and comfort, she thinks only of the independence which seems an impossible dream. But out of the blue Uncle Joachim, her mother's brother, leaves her a handsome property in Germany. Her longed for independence is within her grasp, and though it's a rocky beginning with the locals, she loves her new home. Keen to use her new-found wealth for the benefit of others, she embarks on a plan to throw open her doors to distressed gentlewomen - a project which takes a far greater physical and emotional toll than she could have imagined. Although she maintains that she is not interested in men, might the friendship of her neighbouring landowner, Axel Lohm, make her new life a little easier to bear?...A warm, charming story which is packed with Elizabeth von Arnim's trademark humour and wry observation of character. It's also a perceptive critique of society's constraints on women, holding up a glass to all the artfulness and falseness of 'femininity' - but despite its strong feminist overtones, it manages simultaneously to be a wonderful romantic comedy! - Summary by Helen Taylor]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>35057</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>arnim,artfulness,benefactress,estcourt,femininity,gentlewomen,independence,lohm,onward,scornful</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3713eb1849dc854391a42633931b6329.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
