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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>Futility: A Novel on Russian Themes</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/futility-a-novel-on-russian-themes--7134090</link><description><![CDATA[Explore the intricate tapestry of Russian life and the complexities of human experience in "Futility: A Novel on Russian Themes." This podcast delves into the rich interplay between English and Russian cultures, revealing the nuances of their perceptions and misunderstandings. With every episode featuring a new complete audiobook, listeners are invited to immerse themselves in a rotating collection that captures the essence of Russian themes—ranging from existential reflections to societal critique. Each selection offers a unique exploration of identity, conflict, and the quest for meaning within a rapidly changing world. This is not a single narrative but a diverse anthology that encourages deeper understanding and appreciation of the literary landscape. Discover a new book with every episode and embark on a journey through the heart of Russia's literary tradition.]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7134090/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Books</category><copyright>Copyright Religion Genre</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg</url><title>Futility: A Novel on Russian Themes</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/futility-a-novel-on-russian-themes--7134090</link></image><lastBuildDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:19:39 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Religion Genre</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker78@podcastlibrary.org</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Explore the intricate tapestry of Russian life and the complexities of human experience in "Futility: A Novel on Russian Themes." This podcast delves into the rich interplay between English and Russian cultures, revealing the nuances of their...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Explore the intricate tapestry of Russian life and the complexities of human experience in "Futility: A Novel on Russian Themes." This podcast delves into the rich interplay between English and Russian cultures, revealing the nuances of their perceptions and misunderstandings. With every episode featuring a new complete audiobook, listeners are invited to immerse themselves in a rotating collection that captures the essence of Russian themes—ranging from existential reflections to societal critique. Each selection offers a unique exploration of identity, conflict, and the quest for meaning within a rapidly changing world. This is not a single narrative but a diverse anthology that encourages deeper understanding and appreciation of the literary landscape. Discover a new book with every episode and embark on a journey through the heart of Russia's literary tradition.]]></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>27ba5ca5-796f-53df-9d22-d6ccfe9305fa</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Imperialism and World Politics, Part 3 of 4-Parker Thomas Moon</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/imperialism-and-world-politics-part-3-of-4-parker-thomas-moon--74625121</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74625121</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:02:54 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74625121/20957_imperialism_and_world_politics_part_3_of_4_parker_thomas_moon.mp3" length="191104690" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>23862</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Tales of the Five Towns-Arnold Bennett</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/tales-of-the-five-towns-arnold-bennett--74592886</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74592886</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:03:08 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74592886/3157_tales_of_the_five_towns_arnold_bennett.mp3" length="163219208" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>20382</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Jeremy At Crale; His Friends, His Ambitions And His One Great Enemy-Hugh Walpole</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/jeremy-at-crale-his-friends-his-ambitions-and-his-one-great-enemy-hugh-walpole--74560767</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74560767</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:02:38 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74560767/jeremy_at_crale_his_friends_his_ambitions_and_his_one_great_enemy_hugh_walpole.mp3" length="245369786" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>30641</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Peggy Raymond's School Days (or Old Girls And New)-Harriet Lummis Smith</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/peggy-raymond-s-school-days-or-old-girls-and-new-harriet-lummis-smith--74528486</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74528486</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:08:52 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74528486/peggy_raymond_s_school_days_or_old_girls_and_new_harriet_lummis_smith.mp3" length="151028696" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>18860</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Black Pawl-Ben Ames Williams</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/black-pawl-ben-ames-williams--74497537</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74497537</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:08:35 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74497537/black_pawl_ben_ames_williams.mp3" length="102229178" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>12766</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji)-Murasaki Shikibu</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/genji-monogatari-the-tale-of-genji-murasaki-shikibu--74458261</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74458261</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:07:52 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74458261/genji_monogatari_the_tale_of_genji_murasaki_shikibu.mp3" length="255865488" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>31951</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Human Boy-Eden Phillpotts</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/human-boy-eden-phillpotts--74425815</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74425815</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:08:28 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74425815/human_boy_eden_phillpotts.mp3" length="125099387" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>15622</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Running Water-A. E. W. Mason</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/running-water-a-e-w-mason--74380539</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74380539</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:42:13 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74380539/5569_running_water_a_e_w_mason.mp3" length="248837065" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>31073</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Shifting Sands-Sara Ware Bassett</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/shifting-sands-sara-ware-bassett--74340425</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74340425</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:17:09 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74340425/shifting_sands_sara_ware_bassett.mp3" length="202769081" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>25321</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Crimson Gardenia And Other Tales Of Adventure-Rex Beach</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/crimson-gardenia-and-other-tales-of-adventure-rex-beach--74198022</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74198022</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:08:46 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74198022/crimson_gardenia_and_other_tales_of_adventure_rex_beach.mp3" length="247274485" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>30879</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Street of Seven Stars-Mary Roberts Rinehart</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/street-of-seven-stars-mary-roberts-rinehart--74151390</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74151390</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:08:47 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74151390/street_of_seven_stars_mary_roberts_rinehart.mp3" length="219170428" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>27369</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Charles Simeon-Handley Carr Glyn Moule</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/charles-simeon-handley-carr-glyn-moule--74111124</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74111124</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:08:12 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74111124/charles_simeon_handley_carr_glyn_moule.mp3" length="215575010" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>26919</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Town is Drowning-C. M. Kornbluth, Frederik Pohl</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/town-is-drowning-c-m-kornbluth-frederik-pohl--73391388</link><description><![CDATA["Town is Drowning" by C. M. Kornbluth and Frederik Pohl explores the complexities of human existence in the face of overwhelming environmental challenges. As the town grapples with the encroaching floodwaters, the narrative delves into themes of survival, community, and the often futile struggle against nature's indifference. This thought-provoking tale resonates today as we confront pressing issues of climate change and ecological disaster, reminding us of the fragility of our lives and the importance of collective action. With its sharp social commentary and enduring relevance, this audiobook invites listeners to reflect on the human condition and our place within a rapidly changing world.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73391388</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:15:20 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73391388/town_is_drowning_c_m_kornbluth_frederik_pohl.mp3" length="132353313" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Town is Drowning" by C. M. Kornbluth and Frederik Pohl explores the complexities of human existence in the face of overwhelming environmental challenges. As the town grapples with the encroaching floodwaters, the narrative delves into themes of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Town is Drowning" by C. M. Kornbluth and Frederik Pohl explores the complexities of human existence in the face of overwhelming environmental challenges. As the town grapples with the encroaching floodwaters, the narrative delves into themes of survival, community, and the often futile struggle against nature's indifference. This thought-provoking tale resonates today as we confront pressing issues of climate change and ecological disaster, reminding us of the fragility of our lives and the importance of collective action. With its sharp social commentary and enduring relevance, this audiobook invites listeners to reflect on the human condition and our place within a rapidly changing world.]]></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/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Futility A Novel on Russian Themes - William Alexander Gerhardi</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/futility-a-novel-on-russian-themes-william-alexander-gerhardi--72724584</link><description><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72724584</guid><pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:24:31 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72724584/futility_a_novel_on_russian_themes_william_alexander_gerhardi.mp3" length="197104574" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>William Alexander Gerhardi</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[From the preface written by Edith Wharton: Then I fell upon Futility. Some one said: “It's another new novel about Russia” –and every one of my eager feelers curled up in a tight knot of refusal. But . . . I read on, amused, moved, absorbed, till the tale and the journey ended together. This, it seems to me, is the most striking quality of Mr. Gerhardi's book: that he has (even in this, his first venture) enough of the true novelist's “objectivity” to focus the two so utterly alien races to whom he belongs almost equally, by birth and bringing-up – the English and the Russian – to sympathize with both, and to depict them for us as they see each other, with the play of their mutual reactions illuminating and animating them all. - Summary from the preface by Edith Wharton]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>24639</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>curled,edith,feelers,futility,gerhardi,novel,onward,russian,themes,wharton</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/07a5c9184dfe8088a010484b09083f04.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
