Ep 115: The Riddle of the Sands

This episode starts a multi-part adventure in early 20th century international politics, as seen from the sea level in a small sailing boat (I can't bring myself to call it a yacht, although I know it to be the customary appellation).
In reading The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers or 39 Steps by John Buchan, and many other works, I find it amazing and feel grateful how far we have come from the insular, hostile, and paranoid xenophobia of only a 100 or 60 years ago. Europe today is completely different in atmosphere than it was in those days.
Also, it is pleasant to enjoy writing where the author thinks we can maintain attention even if we are not hit on the forehead with a baseball bat every 3.2 minutes. The adventure begins...

Complete episode listing for the Forgotten Classics production of The Riddle of the Sands

Episode 115. Chapters 1 - 2
Episode 116. Chapters 3 - 5
Episode 117. Chapters 6 - 7
Episode 118. Chapters 8 - 9
Episode 119. Chapters 10 - 11
Episode 120. Chapters 12 - 14
Episode 125. Chapters 15 - 16
Episode 125. Chapters 17 - 18
Episode 125. Chapters 19 - 20
Episode 126. Chapter 21
Episode 127. Chapter 22
Episode 128. Chapter 23
Episode 129. Chapter 24
Episode 130. Chapter 25
Episode 131. Chapter 26
Episode 132. Chapter 27
Episode 133. Chapter 28
Episode 134. Epilogue

In several episodes, in both intro and outro, Julie expresses her worry that she might be mispronouncing the Dutch and German names of persons and places in a way that is unrecognizable to non-American listeners.

In my experience, such worry is often excessive. Of course it happens that when I am listening to a text read by a Briton or an American, they sometimes declaim a sound that does not parse. On that instant there is a flash in my mind "what was that... oh, it was word x pronounced as if it were English, never mind". From that moment on, during that listening session, I recognize the variant pronunciation without problem.

Of course having more correct-ish pronunciation removes even that little stumble from the immersion in the story. Julie, together with her research assistants and other sources, manages pretty well. (What else does one expect of a well-bred Southern lady.)

I speak Finnish, English, Swedish and German, and have a passing (or passed, more exactly) acquaintance with French, Hebrew, Spanish, and naturally Danish and Norwegian. I should think most people who have heard other languages, even if they do not speak those themselves, have some ear for the different sounds of the same printed symbols in other languages.

I've just finished listening to this with great enjoyment -- it's the first podcast that I've actually watched for new episodes of (instead of just listening to them days or weeks later). Great job, Julie -- thanks!

I listened to this one all the way through but I just couldn't get into it with all the nautical talk just threw me a lot. I did love the two chapters where they went James Bond on the bad guys though.