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Homeless Bodies and Other Stories

By: Laura Purcell, Imogen Hermes Gowar, Andrew Michael Hurley, Haroun Khan, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Sarah Moss
Narrated by: Annie Aldington, Imogen Church, Patience Tomlinson, Weruche Opia, Sarah Moss, Nikesh Patel
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  • Summary

  • Homeless Bodies and Other Stories is an original fiction podcast featuring audio-exclusive short stories from award-winning authors and Sunday Times best-sellers, inspired by objects & artefacts from Wellcome Collection's permanent exhibition, 'Medicine Man', in London.

    Exploring themes of otherness, humanity, history, society and belief, Homeless Bodies and Other Stories brings together a gripping collection of tales that are unsettlingly eerie and provokingly current. Objects that inspired Audible's collection of stories include: a trepanned skull, drilled with holes to release trapped spirits; an iron scold's bridle, used to punish "˜gossiping' women; a 19th Century fragment of tattooed skin; a phrenology skull and an 18th Century wax vanitas head.

    With six original, audio-exclusive stories, the collection includes brand new writing from: Imogen Hermes Gowar, Andrew Michael Hurley, Laura Purcell,Sarah Moss, Oyinkan Braithwaite and Haroun Khan.

    Homeless Bodies and Other Stories sees these six authors probe the dark and twisted corners of humanity in an attempt to better understand ourselves and our place in the world with stories crafted specifically for the spoken-word. Before their stories, listeners will hear each of the authors in conversation with Wellcome's curators as they find out more about their chosen object's history.

    With original musical composition and stirring sound design by Hana Walker-Brown.

    This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 6 episodes to your Library now.
    ©2019 Laura Purcell, Imogen Hermes Gowar, Andrew Michael Hurley, Haroun Khan, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Sarah Moss (P)2019 Audible, Ltd.
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Episodes
  • Ep. 1: Brothers and Sisters

    Ep. 1: Brothers and Sisters
    Oct 31 2019

    Time moves slowly for Janey, a young woman locked in by her gender and her time in history, so when her brother brings a fine gentleman home from university she falls in love quickly. Tom Pascoe interrogates their middle class pretentions and opens Janey’s eyes to the beauty of art and simplicity. But she slowly learns his approval comes at a cost, a very real and painful one.

    Hermes Gowar, author of the Sunday Times best seller, The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, chose the chastity belt.
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    58 mins
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  • Ep. 2: Scold's Bridle

    Ep. 2: Scold's Bridle
    Oct 31 2019

    Victor’s wife moved through their community like a hurricane, while the other wives watched on resentful of her freedom and vitality. But when Victor decides enough is enough, and holds down her tongue and her spirit beneath a hideous mask, they start to miss her. As she disappears in body and mind, and her husband refuses to accept his grave mistake, the women of the village come together to celebrate all that she represented.

    Booker long-listed author of My Sister, the Serial Killer, Oyinkan Braithwaite, chose the scold’s bridle.
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    41 mins
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  • Ep. 3: The Master and the Student

    Ep. 3: The Master and the Student
    Oct 31 2019

    A young man moves through the streets of London, reflecting on the Empire and its subjects. He remembers the devotion he felt to the refined English man who trained him in the innate difference between people like him and people like them. But as he recalls the depths of his master’s needs, and the cost to his own life, he reconsiders what he was taught about morality, fate, and the gifts of birth.

    Khan, acclaimed author of The Study Circle, chose the phrenological skull.
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    54 mins
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Anthologies Historical Fiction
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What listeners say about Homeless Bodies and Other Stories

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Profile Image for LyndsayA

History is more terrifying than fiction.

Haunting objects expertly brought to life. These stories needed to be told. Fascinating and frightening.

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Profile Image for Amazon Customer

Homeless bodies

Something different loved it. Liked the way it was based on actual objects, macabre, intreeging.

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Profile Image for Hayley

Brilliant!

Interesting, informative and fun. A great mixture of stories. I will be using the term 'talking gammon' from now on. It made me burst out laughing when it was said on one of the stories.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Hollie Ward

Great Concept

This collection is not normally something I choose for myself but as it was an audible freebie thought I'd give it a go. Really enjoyed it from beginning to end. First two stories were my favourite... Haunting and honest

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Profile Image for andrea barrier

Imagination and History combined brilliant!

I am studying for a BA in history and a big fan of short stories which have an aspect to them which make the listener/reader think on a deeper level. As such I absolutely enjoyed all of the authors tales. I hope there maybe another set coming because a series of them would be amazing.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Nadia Leclercq

Somewhat boring

Started really well and just got monotone throughout. Couldn't finish the 6th story, it put me to sleep.

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Profile Image for Lexi Wolfe, Writer & Actress

Awesome, varied and compelling

But the last lady, while providing us with a very nice informative essay, could have just written us a damn story. Everything else - completely loved!

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Profile Image for Tanya

Great listen!

I don't normally listen to non-fiction books but I really loved these! If I had to choose 'The vanitas' and 'the scolds bridle' would have to be my favourite. Would recommended to everyone.

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Profile Image for Rachel

an ok read

a well executed five episodes interesting stories worth a listen but wouldn't put at the top of my list episode 6 was painful as it wasn't a story at all all

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Profile Image for DIY enthusiast

Fantastic

Enjoyed every story! Wickedly sad and scary at the same time. A must read book

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