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Audiobooks Narrated by Simon Hester
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Today we take for granted the exploration of the fascinating submarine depths of the oceans, so ubiquitous are its many representations on our screens. It is therefore surprising to realise that in his thrilling 1869 novel Jules Verne was anticipating much which was then not even imagined by science.
The enigmatic Captain Nemo takes his awe-inspiring Nautilus around the Oceans of the world exploring the deep with its wonders and horrors. The story is narrated by Professor Aronax, who, though enthralled and fascinated by all that Captain Nemo shows him, fears that he and his companions may never escape from this submarine fortress.
Head Stories Audio presents the classic tale of underwater science fiction, narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.
Once again Alice enters into an imaginary world full of nonsense, colour and paradox. This time she enters through a mirror and, as one might expect, everything becomes back to front. She is on a quest to become a Queen in a fantastical game of chess meeting both help and hinderance in a cast of unforgettable characters such as Humpty Dumpty and the White Knight.
The Father Brown stories sit in relation to other detective literature much as the diminutive and seemingly unworldly Priest himself often sits; quietly, thoughtfully and often to be overlooked. However, when he at lasts speaks it is with such understanding of human knowledge that the self-styled sophisticates that surround him are dumbfounded. C.K Chesterton is not concerned with the procedural minutiae of the detective’s work, nor with leaving a trail of red herrings with which to keep us guessing. Father Brown reaches his conclusions through staring into the human psyche, indeed, at times, into the human soul.
Although accepted to be a classic of children's literature, Kenneth Grahame's tale of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad is layered with the universal themes of nature, longing, belonging, awe and friendship; all woven around the exciting adventures of the incorrigible Mr Toad and his faithful companion's attempts to tame his wayward spirit.
Set against the context of the Late Victorian period H.G Wells narrative of a Martian invasion of earth creates a powerful and frightening
juxtaposition of the past and the future.Ultimately the story leaves us pondering the place of the human race in the universe amidst an exciting tale of adventure which never loses its capacity to shock.
H.G Wells takes us on a fascinating and frightening journey forwards in time to find that the Human Race has divided into two distinct types. One, devoid of all obstacles to progress has become saturated in pleasure and leisure to the point of feebleness. The other, dwelling underground has become so acclimatised to its subterranean existence that only at night is it able to venture above ground. The Time Traveller slowly becomes aware of the horrific connection between these two races.
Books often suffer when over taken by the notoriety of the adaptations which they inspire. This was never truer than of Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Yet in his novella Robert Louis Stevenson cleverly takes a primal human fantasy, in this case that of freeing oneself from all moral responsibility with impunity and explores the possibility of separating human nature into the diabolical and the virtuous.
Stevenson’s work stands as a work of philosophy, and indeed its narrative characteristics are slight with the final letter of confession from Jekyll providing us with much of the stories dark heart.
The tragedy of Dr Jekyll emerges in the truth that the two sides are really one nature that needs not separation but redemption
Sherlock Holmes makes his second literary appearence in this thrilling novella by Conan Doyle. In addition to a gripping tale of murder, lost treasure and revenge the author begins to flesh out his famous detective, with fascinating insights into his character, habits,methods and philosophy.
Simon Hester performs this new reading; the third installment in the Head Stories Audio complete Sherlock Holmes, which includes specially written theme music.
Edgar Wallace was one of the most prolific British authors of the 20th Century and yet his work is now little known, apart from perhaps his work on the story of King Kong in 1933.
“The Ringer” is a wonderful example of his work. Set in a 1920s London where the fog cloaked streets echo to the rumours that a ruthless and fiendishly clever assassin has returned to reek vengeance on his enemies. He is a man who takes on ever changing personas, so much so that some suspect he may even infiltrate the law itself!
Head Stories Audio presents Simon Hester’s stylish narration of this classic murder mystery. With original music.
In 1905 Conan Doyle reluctantly decided to bring his most famous creation Sherlock Holmes back to life. It is no easy thing to convincingly resurrect a man whom you have so decisively thrown over a Swiss waterfall. There is however no sense of reluctance in the collection of short stories that make up The Return of Sherlock Holmes. The great detective reenters the stage with convincing aplomb and his usual theatricality, albeit at the expense of the bemused and shocked Watson.
The “Return” contains some of the most popular adventures of the Holmes canon, including the melodramatic “Solitary Cyclist”, the ingenious “Six Napoleons” (with Lestrade’s surprisingly warm endorsement of Holmes at the end). We have the clever “Second Stain” and the inventive “Dancing Men” The stories also have some memorable villains, (who could so easily pale in the dark memory of Professor Moriarty), not least the despicable Charles Augustus Milverton.
Head Stories Audio presents “The Return of Sherlock Holmes” narrated by Simon Hester. With original music. Performed by Simon Hester and Carmine Lauri.
Authors all too often become the victims of their own success, forever associated with only a handful of their works which are a relatively small part of an otherwise prolific output. For an author of successful plays and novels as A.A. Milne was, to be then only known as a children's writer was an annoyance to say the least. Yet it comes as no surprise that in Milne's 1922 book 'The Red House Mystery' we find much of the warmth and wit that was a few years later to characterize his children's writing in The' Winnie The Pooh' books; albeit in the very different setting of a murder mystery!
Here is a classic 'locked room' conundrum with a delicious twist in the tale.
Narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.
E. Nesbit’s beautiful story of The Railway Children has faired well in many excellent and faithful adaptations on stage and screen. It is always refreshing however to return to the original book. The story has a charm and a depth which raises it, like all the best children’s literature, to something which can be appreciated by all ages.
Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter, through their adventures on the railway begin to come of age as they face thrilling adventures and meet new friends. Nothing is sugar coated by Nesbit; there is real danger, there are real human conflicts to be navigated and over it all hangs the dark cloud of their missing father.
Head Stories Audio presents The Railway Children narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.
