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The Jonathan Swift Library

The Jonathan Swift Library

By: Jonathan Swift
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About this listen

Welcome, curious listener, to The Jonathan Swift Library, a most serious repository of voyages, follies, and uncomfortable truths. Within this auditory cabinet you shall find entire books read aloud, as if rescued from the dust of some neglected Enlightenment shelf. Expect giants and tiny emperors, philosophers both wise and ridiculous, and the occasional reminder that mankind, for all its claims to reason, remains delightfully absurd. Pray sit upright, adjust your headphones with dignity, and prepare to be entertained, corrected, and perhaps gently mocked.Public domain
Episodes
  • A Tale of a Tub Section 4
    Apr 13 2026
    In which we observe the great metamorphosis of Lord Peter, who, upon securing his own estate, embarks on a series of whimsical and extravagant ventures, inventing odd contrivances and establishing curious institutions that win both notoriety and wealth. Yet, as pride inflates him to madness and knavery, his extravagant pretensions and tyrannical demeanour alienate his brothers, culminating in a grievous family estrangement that darkens their common inheritance.
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    23 mins
  • A Tale of a Tub Section 3
    Apr 11 2026
    In which the noble art of criticism is explored with delicate irony, tracing its ancient and heroic origins through allegory and myth, while casting a shrewd eye on the critic’s perpetual quest to uncover faults amidst the literary harvest. With a tone both reverent and satirical, the discourse sets forth the critic’s nature, office, and enduring character, preparing the way for the tale’s further progress.
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    19 mins
  • A Tale of a Tub Section 2
    Apr 9 2026
    In which three young brothers inherit plain yet extraordinary coats from their late father, destined to grow with them and to be worn strictly according to his precise will, as they embark on their adventures amidst the capricious fashions and fancies of society. In an age where attire is both law and language, these gentlemen grapple with ever-changing modes and casuistries to maintain their father's injunctions while courting high society, their fortunes and follies entwined with ribbons, lace, and the subtle art of interpretation.
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    23 mins
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