<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<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>Harmer John; An Unworldly Story</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/harmer-john-an-unworldly-story--7130000</link><description><![CDATA[Immerse yourself in a realm where idealism meets the struggles of reality, as suggested by the evocative title "Harmer John; An Unworldly Story." This podcast delves into themes of hope, transformation, and the clash between ambition and societal resistance. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that explores the lives of dreamers and visionaries who seek to uplift their communities in the face of adversity. Through the lens of fitness, beauty, and compassion, listeners will encounter narratives that highlight the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of greed and prejudice. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that invite you to reflect on the timeless battle between aspiration and the harsh truths of existence. Discover a new book with every episode and engage with the profound questions of purpose and belonging.]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7130000/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/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg</url><title>Harmer John; An Unworldly Story</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/harmer-john-an-unworldly-story--7130000</link></image><lastBuildDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:15:14 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</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/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Immerse yourself in a realm where idealism meets the struggles of reality, as suggested by the evocative title "Harmer John; An Unworldly Story." This podcast delves into themes of hope, transformation, and the clash between ambition and societal...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Immerse yourself in a realm where idealism meets the struggles of reality, as suggested by the evocative title "Harmer John; An Unworldly Story." This podcast delves into themes of hope, transformation, and the clash between ambition and societal resistance. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that explores the lives of dreamers and visionaries who seek to uplift their communities in the face of adversity. Through the lens of fitness, beauty, and compassion, listeners will encounter narratives that highlight the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of greed and prejudice. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that invite you to reflect on the timeless battle between aspiration and the harsh truths of existence. Discover a new book with every episode and engage with the profound questions of purpose and belonging.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Health &amp; Fitness"/><itunes:category text="Health &amp; Fitness"><itunes:category text="Fitness"/></itunes:category><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>2a97489c-dcf4-541d-9bb1-4e0e0ae72f72</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Perils of Pauline (dramatic reading)-Charles Goddard</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/perils-of-pauline-dramatic-reading-charles-goddard--74657423</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74657423</guid><pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:02:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74657423/2627_perils_of_pauline_dramatic_reading_charles_goddard.mp3" length="262253796" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>32748</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Henry VI, Part 2-William Shakespeare</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/henry-vi-part-2-william-shakespeare--74620411</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74620411</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:02:39 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74620411/henry_vi_part_2_william_shakespeare.mp3" length="91695721" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>11450</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Story of My Boyhood and Youth-John Muir</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/story-of-my-boyhood-and-youth-john-muir--74587835</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74587835</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:02:46 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74587835/story_of_my_boyhood_and_youth_john_muir.mp3" length="156496018" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>19542</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Sherman’s Recollections of California, 1846-1848, 1855-1857, from his Memoirs-William Tecumseh Sherman</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/sherman-s-recollections-of-california-1846-1848-1855-1857-from-his-memoirs-william-tecumseh-sherman--74556247</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74556247</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:02:19 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74556247/sherman_s_recollections_of_california_1846_1848_1855_1857_from_his_memoirs_william_tecumseh_sherman.mp3" length="118794558" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>14834</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Recollections of a Busy Life-William Forwood</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/recollections-of-a-busy-life-william-forwood--74524114</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74524114</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:08:32 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74524114/recollections_of_a_busy_life_william_forwood.mp3" length="220289348" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>27509</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Miser-Molière</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/miser-moliere--74493690</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74493690</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:08:22 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74493690/miser_molie_re.mp3" length="60105937" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>7506</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Ester Ried Yet Speaking-Pansy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/ester-ried-yet-speaking-pansy--74453727</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74453727</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:07:40 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74453727/ester_ried_yet_speaking_pansy.mp3" length="228585170" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>28545</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Hoodoo-Walter Ben Hare</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/hoodoo-walter-ben-hare--74421236</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74421236</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:08:19 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74421236/hoodoo_walter_ben_hare.mp3" length="90495472" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>11301</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Idomen, or The Vale of Yumuri-Maria Gowen Brooks</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/idomen-or-the-vale-of-yumuri-maria-gowen-brooks--74373804</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74373804</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:08:32 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74373804/idomen_or_the_vale_of_yumuri_maria_gowen_brooks.mp3" length="188860712" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>23584</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Joyous Gard-Arthur Christopher Benson</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/joyous-gard-arthur-christopher-benson--74334329</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74334329</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 19:22:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74334329/joyous_gard_arthur_christopher_benson.mp3" length="150466162" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>18790</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Exposition with Practical Observations upon the Book of Ruth-Matthew Henry</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/exposition-with-practical-observations-upon-the-book-of-ruth-matthew-henry--74191472</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74191472</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:08:41 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74191472/exposition_with_practical_observations_upon_the_book_of_ruth_matthew_henry.mp3" length="63292363" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>7904</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>As We Forgive Them-William Le Queux</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/as-we-forgive-them-william-le-queux--74144965</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74144965</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:08:49 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74144965/as_we_forgive_them_william_le_queux.mp3" length="197811534" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>24702</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Fortune Hunter A Novel of New York Society-Anna Cora Mowatt Ritchie</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/fortune-hunter-a-novel-of-new-york-society-anna-cora-mowatt-ritchie--74106708</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74106708</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:07:52 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74106708/fortune_hunter_a_novel_of_new_york_society_anna_cora_mowatt_ritchie.mp3" length="215800025" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>26948</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.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--73386692</link><description><![CDATA["Thy Soul Shall Bear Witness!" by Selma Lagerlöf invites listeners into a profound exploration of the human spirit and the moral dilemmas that define our existence. This timeless narrative resonates with themes of faith, redemption, and the quest for truth, making it a compelling listen for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of life and the choices we make. Lagerlöf's eloquent prose and deep philosophical insights encourage reflection on our own beliefs and the impact of our actions on others. As relevant today as it was at its inception, this work serves as a reminder of the enduring struggle between good and evil within us all, making it a worthy addition to any literary collection.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73386692</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:27:48 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73386692/thy_soul_shall_bear_witness_selma_lagerlo_f.mp3" length="128685734" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Thy Soul Shall Bear Witness!" by Selma Lagerlöf invites listeners into a profound exploration of the human spirit and the moral dilemmas that define our existence. This timeless narrative resonates with themes of faith, redemption, and the quest for...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Thy Soul Shall Bear Witness!" by Selma Lagerlöf invites listeners into a profound exploration of the human spirit and the moral dilemmas that define our existence. This timeless narrative resonates with themes of faith, redemption, and the quest for truth, making it a compelling listen for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of life and the choices we make. Lagerlöf's eloquent prose and deep philosophical insights encourage reflection on our own beliefs and the impact of our actions on others. As relevant today as it was at its inception, this work serves as a reminder of the enduring struggle between good and evil within us all, making it a worthy addition to any literary collection.]]></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/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Harmer John An Unworldly Story - Hugh Walpole - Part 2</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/harmer-john-an-unworldly-story-hugh-walpole-part-2--72691085</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72691085</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:22 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72691085/harmer_john_an_unworldly_story_hugh_walpole_part_2.mp3" length="136009810" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>17002</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>cathedral,harmer,healthier,john,onward,polchester,slumlords,unworldly,vision,walpole</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Harmer John An Unworldly Story - Hugh Walpole - Part 1</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/harmer-john-an-unworldly-story-hugh-walpole-part-1--72691084</link><description><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72691084</guid><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:25:31 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72691084/harmer_john_an_unworldly_story_hugh_walpole_part_1.mp3" length="276991409" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Hugh Walpole</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help people become healthier. He envisions tearing down the slums along the river and rebuilding the area with more attractive and publicly healthier buildings. But not everyone shares his vision, especially the slumlords who make their money by renting the slum to those who are poor and vulnerable, those unable to afford anything better. Harmer John encounters xenophobia, jealousy, and malice. In an earlier story Walpole novelized the Francis Thompson poem The Hound Of Heaven about a fearful soul pursued by an insistently loving God. Some observers see in Harmer John a parallel to Francis of Assisi, that is, a naïve holy man opposed by the selfish worldliness around him. - Summary by david wales]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>34624</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>cathedral,harmer,healthier,john,onward,polchester,slumlords,unworldly,vision,walpole</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0658ab7ca7ce26dd3943033bcde8a104.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
