Opera Vox Audiobooks

The Final Episode - The 258th Night features the end of the story of Badr, Jullanar and Jauhara and brings to an end the 271 nights of stories told to the King by Shaharazad to stay alive and prevent her meeting the fate of her predecessors in the morning. I hope you have enjoyed this long series of tales as much as I have enjoyed reading them. David

The 249th Night - In which we continue the story of Queen Jullanar of the Sea and the adventures of her son Badr and the Princess Jauhaar.

The 241st Night - In which we continue the story of the King, his Queen Jullanar of the Sea and their newborn son Badr.

The 230th Night - In which our storytelling Shaharazad continues to keep the King from killing her each morning with her strange and entertaining tales. This episode we embark on yet another new tale concerning Jullanar of the Sea!

The 220th Night - In which we are taken to the conclusion of the story of Nur Al Din and Anis Al Jalis. Things look bleak for Nur Al DIn, but the Caliph has plans that might just help our lover protagonists.

The 213th Night - In which we continue to follow the story and exploits of Nur Al Din and his love Anis Al Jalis as they make their way to Baghdad and discover a most beautiful garden and palace. They also encounter the garden's keeper Shaikh Ibrahim.

The 207th Night - In which we continue to hear Shaharazad's tale of Nur Al Din Ali and his lavish spending on his ten companions. Unfortunately, his funds are not destined to last!

The 201st. Night - In which we begin one more tale in Shaharazad's seemingly inexhaustible supply of stories designed to make the King "let her live." One also wonders how Dinarzad fits into the bedroom scene, as she clearly listens in on everyone!

The 196th Night - We finally reach the conclusion of the story of Ali Al Bakkar and Shams Al Nahar the two lovers who have sought to pursue a dangerous love affair.

The 189th Night - In which this, the longest saga so far in our heroine's storytelling, continues to follow the fate of our protagonists Ali bin Bakkar and Shams al Nahar and their love for each other.

The 183rd Night - In which the continued tale of love between our main protagonists generates much heartache and concern, particularly for Abu Al Hasan, who has to leave the city and whose place in the saga is taken by a local jeweller.

The 179th Night - In which Shaharazad once again leads the king deeper into her tales, continuing with the poor Nur Al Din Ali after he crosses the river.

The 175th Night - In which we continue the story of Nur Al Din Ali Bin Bakhar and the slave girl Shams Al Nahar. We are carried along by the ever unfolding tales of love, intrigue, accidents, death and just about any human experience possible that will keep Sharahazad and her sister Dinarzad alive another night.

The 171st Night - In which the stories continue and the King seems happy to allow the fascinating sequence of tales to move on to what happened between Nur al Din Ali Bin Bakhar and the slave girl Shams Al Nahar.

The 166th Night - In which the tale finally draws to a close and the King of China is able to make a decision about all he has heard...and of course Shaharazad and her sister remain alive and well, to tell further tales in this continuing saga.

The 157th Night - In which we finally reach the conclusion of the Taylor's tale and Shaharazad continues to regale the King with further tales that delay the seemingly inevitable fate she awaits should the King tire of her stories.

The 148th Night - In which the barber continues his tale, and even I am finding it somewhat tortuous working out who is telling what and to whom. It seems that Shaharazad is succeeding in bamboozling the poor king who just wanted to spend one night and then be rid of her. The tales continue!

The 127th Night - In which we continue to hear the story of the man with no thumbs. Will he impress the king or will there be another contender to tell his story and continue to save Shaharazad from the fate promised after the 1st night.

Dear Listeners - A very Happy New Year to you this 2023.  A very brief episode to let you know I am still here, but as a result of much travel, house moving and the Christmas and New Year festivities the wait has been much longer than I anticipated.  I should be back next week with the next episode of 'Arabian Nights'

The Arabian Nights - Prologue.  In which we meet some of the main characters of the book and hear of their early trials and tribulations as well as the resulting determination of the King Sharayar to treat women very differently than before.  It should be noted that this episode does contain references to adult interactions between men and women.

Chapter 10 - The Epilogue.  In which we hear some final conclusions from our storyteller in the aftermath of the terrible extra-terrestrial visit from the Martians and some of what has been learned since their demise.  I would love to hear from you with any feedback you may have or suggestions for future books.  You can reach me at [email protected]

Chapter 9 - Wreckage - In which our intrepid storyteller manages to emerge from the carnage of the last few weeks and observe the re-awakening of mankind in the aftermath of the alien visitors.

Chapter 8 - Dead London - In which our intrepid storyteller manages to wonder into the suburbs of London and witness a shocking but uplifting sight.

Chapter 7 - The Man on Putney Hill - In which we are introduced once again to the artilleryman our narrator encountered earlier in the story.  Quite a conversation ensues, dominated by the artilleryman's plans for the future of mankind.

Chapter 6 - The Work of Fifteen Days - In which our storyteller is finally able to emerge from hiding and discover the world as it has now been left by the Martians.

Chapter 5 - The Stillness - In which our intrepid narrator finally finds his way out of the prison created by the nearby Martian pit.  He now looks for a way to survive amidst a very changed world in which he finds himself.

Chapter 3 - In which our protagonist continues to use the peep hole to spy upon the invaders and recounts the challenges of waiting out the situation with the curate.

Part 2 Chapter 2 - In which our narrator has a unique opportunity to observe the Martians from close up and provide a reliable account of these extraordinary creatures.

Book 2 - The Earth Under the Martians, Chapter 1, Under Foot - In which our narrator reverts back to his own story after relating his brother's experiences in London.  He continues to travel with the timorous Curate.

Chapter 17 - In which the fate of mankind continues to be held in the balance and the fleeing masses look for ways to escape the oncoming threat of their extra-terrestrial invaders.

Chapter 16 - In which we hear a description of the narrator's brother and his disturbing experiences as he makes his way out of London in advance of the Martians' advance.

Chapter 15 - What Had Happened in Surrey.  In which we now hear news of the overnight events in Surrey, the county on the outskirts of London and the activities of the Martians as they near the Capital.

Chapter 14 - In London, apologies for the first version of this chapter, which, for some reason was cut off in mid sentence!  The narrator's brother relates his experiences in London, where the arrival of the Martians has yet to make an impression.  However, it is not long before this changes.

Chapter 12 - What I Saw of the Destruction of Weybridge and Shepperton - In which we are regaled with a graphic description of the actions of the Martians in a first hand account of the ensuing carnage.

Chapter 10 - In the Storm - In which our narrator proceeds on his journey back to his house in Maybury Hill and encounters a storm and other more disturbing developments.

Chapter 9 - In which the the British military gather around the Martian crash site, ready to take them on in battle.  Later in the day our narrator realizes that it is time to leave home and escape the coming conflict

Chapter 8 - Friday Night, in which our narrator paints a picture of the events of Friday night on the common and the reaction of those in the nearby towns.

Chapter 6 - In which our narrator recounts the latest events on the common and the aftermath of the shocking Martian aggression

Chapter 5 - In which the onlookers who stayed to observe the strange sight on the common were finally shown something of the Martians' intentions for their visit to Earth.

Chatper 4 - In which the mysterious entity that has landed on the common finally reveals its contents and the crowds that have gathered realise this is no normal meteorite.

Chapter 3 - In which the corwds begin to gather at the site of the mysterious meteorite, and the experts start to examine the unusual cylinder and the faint sounds from within.

Chapter 59 - The final chapter in the history of our protagonists, Tess, Angel and Alec.  Also a brief history of the author, Thomas Hardy.  I hope you have enjoyed this recording and I look forward to announcing our next season, Season 4 in the next few days.  Thanks for listening,  All recordings are copyright David Clarke and no reproduction is allowed without permission.  Thanks

Chapter 58 - In which Tess and Angel make their way north to seek a way out of their current predicament, and as they travel, are confronted by the reality of all that has transpired in the last few days.

Chapter 57 - In which Tess and Angel are finally re-united and Tess readily shares her recent encounter with Alec at the Herons and as they walk, Angel contemplates the predicament in which they now find themselves.

Chapter 56 - In which we are allowed to witness the consequences of Angel's visit through the eyes of the landlord Mrs Brooks and the reaction of Tess to her husband's return.

Chapter 55 - In which, at last Angel manages to follow the clues to his wife's whereabouts, only to be met with a surprising discovery.

Chapter 54 - In which Angel continues his quest to be re-united with his wife and makes the journey to Flintcomb Ash only to find that she has long gone and he must search further.

Chapter 53 - In which we hear of the imminent of arrival of Angel Clare to his home in Emminster.  And how do things stand now between the 2 erstwhile lovers.

Chapter 52 - In which Tess and her family are finally having to leave their family home and find a new life in Kingsbere.  They find themsleves very close to their supposed ancient roots in the churchyard of the D'Urbervilles.

Chapter 51 - In which Tess and her family are finally needing to move on from Marlott after the recent death of Mr Durbeyfield.  However, Alec continues to press his case.