The Moth Podcast: The Play’s The Thing

In 'Gypsy' by Carole Mortimer, the story revolves around Shay, a widowed and pregnant woman who returns to the home of her former lover, Lyon Falconer, who is also her dead husband's brother. The novel explores their complex relationship and the irresistible attraction between them, as well as the involvement of other characters who find Shay captivating.

In this 1962 science fiction novel, Brian W. Aldiss depicts a future where Earth has stopped rotating, resulting in one side constantly facing a larger and hotter sun. The planet is now a veritable hothouse, with plants filling almost all ecological niches. Humans have shrunk to a fraction of their original size and live in a continent-encompassing banyan tree, constantly fearing killer flora and fauna. The story follows Gren and his group as they navigate this alien world, encountering various strange creatures and plants, and grappling with themes of survival, evolution, and humanity's decline. The novel is composed of five novelettes originally serialized in 'The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction' in 1961 and was collectively awarded the Hugo Award for Best Short Fiction in 1962.

In this traditional Gothic novella, Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor, is dispatched to Crythin Gifford to attend the funeral of Mrs. Alice Drablow and sort through her papers. Upon arriving, he encounters a mysterious and menacing ghost, the Woman in Black, whose appearances are linked to tragic events involving children. The story unfolds through Kipps' recollections, detailing his descent into fear and his determination to uncover the dark secrets behind the ghost's hauntings. The novella is renowned for its atmospheric setting, vivid descriptions of the desolate marshland, and the psychological tension built through suggestion rather than explicit horror.

Jacqueline Goldfinger's adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' is a family-friendly version that includes music, making it suitable for a wide range of audiences. This play retains the core themes and characters of the original while adding a musical element to enhance the storytelling and emotional impact.

In 'Fish,' Melis Acker weaves a personal narrative that is both deeply introspective and universally relatable. The book is a memoir that explores the author's life, touching on themes of identity, family dynamics, and the complexities of human experience. Through her writing, Acker offers a reflective and often humorous look at her own life, making the book a compelling read for those interested in memoirs and personal stories.

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