Pulp-Fiction Podcasts: The Simple Joy of A Tale Well Told

By: DThompson | in: Books, General, Technology |

Back in the day, (and by that I mean several thousand years ago) there were no books, and no movies; no pulp fiction, no literature, no drama, or horror, or romance. There were only people to listen and stories to be told. The single greatest thing about recorded stories is how they embrace this basic essence of ‘storyness’, returning the tale to its original oral roots. They also tend to take even the most modern and jaded listener back to a time when they were much younger. Back to a time when books meant being read to. As such, the recorded story can be a simultaneously exciting and relaxing experience.

Though I realize the essentially lazy nature of listening to taped novels I do love a taped short story now and again, The site Well Told Tales. Com is just that, detective, sci-fi and horror stories available as downloads, podcasts, and, if you’ve got the time, to just be listened to on the site.

The story that was my introduction was “Death’s A Bitch”. It played out well over its half hour length, full of evocative phrasing and humerous observances as a policeman fights his way through hordes of zombies and zombie dogs as well, (the ‘bitch’ of the title). Though the story holds few surprises for anyone well-versed in zombie lore it is an entirely satisfying listen. The simple act of being allowed to relax and really exercise your imagination is just plain fun.
Well Told Tales currently features thirteen stories, so if hearing about fluffy little Precious and what he ultimately does to his elderly mistress is not your cup of joe, there are twelve other pulpy tales to choose from. The only down side I can see is that there are no straight dramatic or literary stories read here which can certainly be just as interesting as the wilder product currently available. However, all of the entries, from fighting Nazis in a hotel to hiring a lukemia victim as an assassin, sounded interesting to me. I have no doubt I’ll be visiting the site again.

VERDICT: If you’ve got a spare thirty minutes.

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Posted on July 17, 2007