CostasNarrativeXP 2026 New Year feature 
"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

In a genetically-engineered utopia where comfort is mandatory and individuality is extinct, the World State maintains total stability at the cost of the human soul.

Chapter 1-2
00:27 1 The Hatchery mass-produces citizens via an assembly line, biologically predestining Alphas and Betas for intellect and leadership, while conditioning the rest for manual labor.
30:33 2 The state uses hypnopaedia and shocks to condition citizens to hate nature but crave expensive sports, ensuring constant consumption and social stability via manufactured "morals."

Characters
The Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning, D.H.C - The authoritative figure who leads the student tour and explains the technical "birth" process
Henry Foster - The Director's assistant and a high-caste Alpha who is obsessed with statistics and the efficiency of the hatchery
Lenina Crowne - A Beta-minus worker on the assembly line, specifically the "Embryo Store", who is described as uncommonly pretty.

Costa's Wordbook
Gooseflesh n a state of the skin caused by cold, fear, or excitement, in which small bumps appear on the surface as the hairs become erect
Abjectly adv humbly; a complete lack of pride, dignity, hope, or spirit
Straight from the horse's mouth - idiom from the person who has direct personal knowledge
Fretsawyer n a person who saws timber for a living
Floridly adv in a way that has too much decoration
Gamete n a mature haploid male or female germ cell which is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote (Gahm meet)
Thermogene n heat-producing, referring to substances or processes that generate heat, often by boosting metabolism (Thermo gin)
Excised adj having been cut out surgically (Ex cysed)
Viscosity n the state of being thick, sticky, and semi-fluid in consistency, due to internal friction (Vis gos city)
Spermatozoa pl n the mature motile male sex cell of an animal, by which the ovum is fertilized, typically having a compact head and one or more long flagella for swimming (spermatoe Zoe ah)
Burgeon v begin to grow or increase rapidly, flourish, bud (Bur gen)
Piddling adj pathetically trivial, trifling (Pid dle ling)
Viviparous adj (of an animal) bringing forth live young which have developed inside the body of the parent (vi Vip par rous)
Largesse n generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others (lar Jess)
Pituitary n the major endocrine gland, a pea-sized body attached to the base of the brain that is important in controlling growth and development and the functioning of the other endocrine glands (pit Chui tery)
Peritoneum n the serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and covering the abdominal organs (peri tone Neeum)
Morula n a solid ball of cells resulting from division of a fertilized ovum, and from which a blastula is formed (More ryu la)
Saline adj containing or impregnated with salt (Say line)
Thyroxine n the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland, acting to increase metabolic rate and so regulating growth and development (thy Rox seen)
corpus luteum - lat, a hormone-secreting structure that develops in an ovary after an ovum has been discharged but degenerates after a few days unless pregnancy has begun
Freemartin n a hermaphrodite or imperfect sterile female calf which is the twin of a male calf whose hormones affected its development
Endocrine adj relating to or denoting glands which secrete hormones or other products directly into the blood. (Endo cryne)
Lupus n a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs, causing widespread inflammation affecting joints, skin, kidneys, brain, heart, and lungs, with symptoms like fatigue, rashes
Immunize v make (a person or animal) resistant to a particular infectious disease or pathogen, typically by vaccination (Im mune nise)

Pavlovian adj known as Classical Conditioning, explains how learning occurs through association, where a neutral stimulus (like a bell) becomes linked with an unconditioned stimulus (like food) to trigger a learned (conditioned) response (like salivating), fundamentally shaping behaviorism by demonstrating involuntary responses can be trained (pav Loaf vian)
Viscose n a viscous orange-brown solution obtained by treating cellulose with sodium hydroxide and carbon disulphide, used as the basis of manufacturing rayon fibre and transparent cellulose film (Vis cose like nose)
Aryan adj (in Nazi ideology) of or denoting white non-Jewish people, especially those of northern European origin or descent typically having blonde hair and blue eyes and regarded as a supposedly superior racial group (Air ree yen)
Quarto n a size of book page resulting from folding each printed sheet into four leaves (eight pages) (Quart toe)
Posthumous adj occurring, awarded, or appearing after the death of the originator (Pos chu mous)
Hypnopaedia n learning by hearing while asleep or under hypnosis (hypno Peedia)
George Bernard Shaw - an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist; his expressed views were often contentious; he promoted eugenics and alphabet reform, and opposed vaccination and organised religion
Asafoetida n a fetid resinous gum obtained from the roots of a herbaceous plant, used in herbal medicine and South Asian cooking (asa Fee tid da)
Inculcate v instil (an idea, attitude, or habit) by persistent instruction (In cul kate)

Complete Features
Count of Monte Cristo, Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume V Chapter 96-117 Finale
00:30 96 At Danglars’s contract signing Monte Cristo reveals a newly found waistcoat letter tying Andrea to Caderousse. Police arrive to arrest Andrea as an escaped convict for murder, but he has already fled elsewhere.
24:30 97 Eugénie and Louise immediately enact their escape plan, disguise Eugénie as Louise’s brother, use the passport and theater letters Monte Cristo provided, pack their trunk, and leave for Italy through Brussels.
38:33 98 Andrea steals the wedding jewels, flees by cab and horse, hides in an inn chimney, drops into Eugénie and Louise’s room, is caught by police, and the exposed women depart for Brussels amid attention.
1:05:37 99 Madame Danglars seeks help from Debray, then Villefort. She asks Villefort to let Andrea escape to avoid scandal, but he refuses. He has bigger worries at home, and Andrea has already been caught.
100 Recovering, Valentine sees Monte Cristo, who reveals watching her for nights, substituting poison for healthy drinks. He gives her red liquid, telling her to feign sleep when the killer soon to be revealed arrives after midnight.
101 Pretending sleep, Valentine saw her stepmother poison her drink. Monte Cristo returned, promising a safety plan. He gave her a drug, emptied some poison to fake consumption, and left through a secret door.
102 Madame de Villefort confirms Valentine's death and disposes of the poison. Monte Cristo secretly replaced it, which Dr. d'Avrigny identified, causing the killer to collapse as servants fled.
2:10:41 103 Noirtier warns Maximilien, who finds Valentine dead. He carries Noirtier to her side. Maximilien, d'Avrigny, and Noirtier compel Villefort to swear vengeance, giving him three days.
104 While Valentine is prepared for burial, Villefort obsesses over Benedetto. Monte Cristo takes five million francs from Danglars, forcing the banker to gather cash, burn papers, and flee his creditors.
105 Monte Cristo follows a suicidal Maximilien, revealing he is Edmond Dantès. The Count stops him by promising happiness and requires him to live with him for one month.
3:23:51 106 Debray finalizes Madame Danglars's secret wealth, contrasting her greed with the poverty of Mercédès and Albert. Albert enlists and sends his mother to Marseille.
107 Andrea, imprisoned in La Force, hopes Monte Cristo will save him. When Bertuccio visits, Andrea suggests Monte Cristo is his father. Bertuccio promises to return tomorrow with the real name.
4:16:39 108 Villefort prepares for Benedetto's trial while Noirtier finds peace. Villefort confronts his wife, Mme de Villefort, about the four deaths she caused and demands she use her saved poison on herself before he returns.
109 Andrea's sensational trial draws a crowd. Socialites Beauchamp, Château-Renaud, and Debray exchange rumors, with Debray suggesting young Edward is the poisoner in the Villefort deaths.
110 Andrea, calm, admits being a criminal but refuses his name. When he declares Villefort is his father, the chaos ends with Villefort acknowledging the truth and staggering out, forcing a trial postponement.
5:10:03 111 Regretting his demand, Villefort finds his wife and son, Edouard, dead by poison. Monte Cristo reveals his identity (Edmond Dantès), but is horrified that his vengeance resulted in the boy's death.
112 Maximilien and Monte Cristo discuss the fallen before leaving Paris. In Marseille, Count visits Mercédès, revealing his vengeful methods. She expresses regret over marrying Fernand and wishes only for Albert's happiness.
6:04:38 113 Revisiting Château d’If, the Count relives his suffering, finds Faria’s manuscript as divine approval of his vengeance, then urges despairing Maximilien to wait until October 5 on Monte Cristo island for happiness.
114 Danglars withdraws five million, is shadowed by Peppino, kidnapped by Vampa’s bandits, and locked in the catacombs, still believing his remaining fortune will easily buy his freedom.
6:59:07 115 Starving Danglars waits for ransom demands; Peppino offers meals at extortionate prices. A chicken costs heavy. Outraged, Danglars bargains in vain and finally agrees, paying a fortune for every bite while imprisoned.
116 Danglars pays a fortune for every meal until only a fraction remain. Starving, he repents. Monte Cristo reveals himself as Edmond Dantès, forgives him, orders food, and frees him with the last 50,000 francs.
117 On Monte Cristo island, Maximilien swallows the green elixir, “dies,” awakens to find Valentine alive. Monte Cristo gifts them his fortune, sails away with Haydée, leaving the famous last words: “wait and hope!”

Main Characters of Volume V
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Fricassee - fr, a dish of stewed or fried pieces of meat served in a thick white sauce (Fric ca see)
Che cosa? - ita, What?

Harpagon - a miser, a greedy and stingy person, due to the character from Molière's play L'Avare (The Miser)
Piecemeal adv adj characterized by unsystematic partial measures taken over a period of time
Usury n the action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interes (U sher ry)

Calypso…Telemachus - reference is to Homer’s Odyssey: When Odysseus is shipwrecked and washed up naked and half-dead on the island of the nymph Calypso, she takes him in. Telemachus is Odysseus’ son in Homer’s Odyssey
Caryatids - sculpted female figures used as architectural supports in place of columns.
The most famous examples stand on the porch of the Erechtheion temple on the Acropolis in Athens
Unctuous adj (of a mineral) having a greasy or soapy feel
Felucca n a small boat propelled by oars or lateen sails or both, used on the Nile and formerly more widely in the Mediterranean region

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume V Chapter 113-114
00:30 113 Revisiting Château d’If, the Count relives his suffering, finds Faria’s manuscript as divine approval of his vengeance, then urges despairing Maximilien to wait until October 5 on Monte Cristo island for happiness.
29:49 114 Danglars withdraws five million, is shadowed by Peppino, kidnapped by Vampa’s bandits, and locked in the catacombs, still believing his remaining fortune will easily buy his freedom.

Main Characters of Volume V
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Autumnal adj of, characteristic of, or occurring in autumn (aw Tum nal)
Mirabeau - Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau (1749–1791), a famed French orator, writer, and central figure of the early French Revolution; died suddenly in 1791 at the height of his influence. Because he was a deeply controversial political figure, admired as the "Tribune of the People" but distrusted for secretly consulting with the King, his sudden death at age 42 led many to believe he had been poisoned by his political rivals, rather than dying from natural causes
Vacillating adj wavering between different opinions or actions, irresolute (Va cil lating)
Eurus - a figure in Greek mythology who personifies the East Wind, often associated with bad omens, storms, and bringing warm, dry air and rain (or sometimes blight). Unlike the cold North Wind (Boreas) or gentle West Wind (Zephyrus), Eurus is often depicted as unsettling and violent

Allegro! Moderato! - ita, Fast!, Slow!
Marius and Gracch - ita, Gaius Marius, the great Roman general and seven-time consul who rose from plebeian origins and championed the common people; Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, two famous 2nd-century BCE tribunes who fought for land reform for the poor and were both assassinated by the Senate; they are ultimate symbols of ancient Rome’s populist heroes, the champions of the little guy against the aristocracy
Morra - ita, traditional Italian hand game: Two players simultaneously throw out fingers while shouting a guess at the total number of fingers shown. Fast, loud, and usually played for small bets — very common among working-class Italians in the 19th century
Facchini - ita, porters / baggage carriers / general labourers
Orvieto - ita, famous white wine from the town of Orvieto in Umbria, central Italy. In 1840s Rome it was the classic cheap, everyday table wine that ordinary Romans, porters, coachmen, and bandits drank by the bottle or flask. Slightly sweet, low-alcohol, straw-coloured, sold in wicker-covered fiasco bottles.
Non capisco - ita, i do not understand
mio caro? - ita, my dear?
Dentro la testa! - ita, inside the head! (put your head inside)
Scendi! - ita, come down!
Di quà - ita, over here
Avanti! - ita, go ahead!
Plutarch - (c. 46 – after 119 AD) was a Greek-Roman philosopher, biographer, and essayist; famous for one single work that has never stopped being read for 2,000 years: Parallel Lives
Ecco! - ita, Here! (here you are)

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume V Chapter 111,112
00:30 111 Regretting his demand, Villefort finds his wife and son, Edouard, dead by poison. Monte Cristo reveals his identity (Edmond Dantès), but is horrified that his vengeance resulted in the boy's death.
21:00 112 Maximilien and Monte Cristo discuss the fallen before leaving Paris. In Marseille, The latter visits Mercédès, revealing his vengeful methods. She expresses regret over marrying Fernand and wishes only for Albert's happiness.

Main Characters of Volume V
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Garb of Nessus - a poisoned garment from Greek mythology that led to the death of the hero Heracles
Ajax the Great - a major figure in Homer's Iliad, known for his immense strength, courage, and size, second only to Achilles among the Greek heroes

Perrault - Charles Perrault, a 17th-century French author famous for establishing the literary genre of the fairy tale
Puget - Pierre Paul Puget (~1620 -1694) was a French Baroque painter, sculptor, architect and engineer. His sculpture expressed emotion, pathos and drama, setting it apart from the more classical and academic sculpture of the Style Louis XIV
Supine adj failing to act or protest as a result of moral weakness or indolence (Sew pyne)

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume V Chapter 108-110
00:30 108 Villefort prepares for Benedetto's trial while Noirtier finds peace. Villefort confronts his wife, Mme de Villefort, about the four deaths she caused and demands she use her saved poison on herself before he returns.
23:32 109 Andrea's sensational trial draws a crowd. Socialites Beauchamp, Château-Renaud, and Debray exchange rumors, with Debray suggesting young Edward is the poisoner in the Villefort deaths.
36:55 110 Andrea, calm, admits being a criminal but refuses his name. When he declares Villefort is his father, the chaos ends with Villefort acknowledging the truth and staggering out, forcing a trial postponement.

Main Characters of Volume V
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Tarquin - lat, Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud), the legendary last king of Rome. Tarquin's son, Sextus, sent a messenger to his father asking what he should do to gain control of the city of Gabii. Tarquin gave the messenger no verbal reply. Instead, he went into his garden and used his cane to lop off the heads of the tallest poppies he could find.
Vociferate v shout, complain, or argue loudly or vehemently (voh Sif fer rate)

Deuce n inf. used as a euphemism for ‘devil’ in expressions of annoyance, impatience, surprise
Dante…Divina Commedia - ita, the great Italian poet Dante Alighieri, his most famous work, the Divine Comed
Phlegmatically adv to do something in a calm, unemotional, or stolid way that is not easily excited or upset
Phrenological adj dated. the study of the size and shape of the skull in order to find out about a person's character or abilities (fren no Logical)
Saint-Simon - fr, Louis de Rouvroy, duc de Saint-Simon (1675–1755), a famous French nobleman, soldier, and courtier. He is renowned for his extensive and detailed Mémoires, which offer a sharp, insider's view of the court of King Louis XIV at Versailles

Blaspheme v speak irreverently about God or sacred things (blas Pheem)

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume V Chapter 106-107
00:30 106 Debray finalizes Madame Danglars's secret wealth, contrasting her greed with the poverty of Mercédès and Albert. Albert enlists and sends his mother to Marseille.
35:30 107 Andrea, imprisoned in La Force, hopes Monte Cristo will save him. When Bertuccio visits, Andrea suggests Monte Cristo is his father. Bertuccio promises to return tomorrow with the real name.

Main Characters of Volume V
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Asmodeus, Le Sage - Alain-René Le Sage (1668–1747), a French novelist and playwright, created Asmodeus in the novel Le Diable boiteux (The Lame Devil), a demon or devil, often associated with luxury, lust, gambling, and deceit
Pallet n a straw mattress; makeshift bed
Lamoricière, Changarnier, Bedeau - famous French generals and military figures who were highly prominent in 1830-40s

La Force - fr, a large, notorious prison located in central Paris, operating from the late 18th to mid-19th c.
Big bug n A prominent or significant person
La savate - fr, worn shoe; though in prison talk, to beat one with an old heavy shoe, a violent act
Anguille - fr, eel; prison talk, long, flexible, and whipping motion of the makeshift weapon used as a flail
Pincette - fr, pincers; French parlor game, one person hides an object, the others search. The searchers are guided by clues using the metaphor of heat to indicate proximity
Racine - fr, Jean Racine (1639–1699) was one of the most celebrated and significant playwrights of the 17th-century French classical period; 
Monsieur Pixérécourt - fr, René-Charles Guilbert de Pixérécourt (1773–1844) was a highly popular and prolific playwright who specialized in melodrama during the late 18th and early 19th centuries
Pygmy n derog. a person who is insignificant or lacks ability in a particular respect

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume V Chapter 103-105
00:30 103 Noirtier warns Maximilien, who finds Valentine dead. He carries Noirtier to her side. Maximilien, d'Avrigny, and Noirtier compel Villefort to swear vengeance, giving him three days.
20:25 104 While Valentine is prepared for burial, Villefort obsesses over Benedetto. Monte Cristo takes five million francs from Danglars, forcing the banker to gather cash, burn papers, and flee his creditors.
43:46 105 Monte Cristo follows a suicidal Maximilien, revealing he is Edmond Dantès. The Count stops him by promising happiness and requires him to live with him for one month.

Main Characters of Volume V
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
M. le Procureur du Roi - Mr. Public Prosecutor
Mayoralty n the office or administration of the mayor, local government (Meh ral ty)

Puritanical adj having or displaying a very strict or censorious moral attitude towards self-indulgence or sex (puri Tan nical)
Croesus - The last King of Lydia, renowned for his extraordinary and legendary wealth
Robert Macaire… by Frédérick - Robert Macaire is a fictional character who originated in 1823, but became famous as the main character in the popular play L'Auberge des Adrets. Frédérick Lemaître (1800–1876) was the most famous and acclaimed actor of the period, whose performance of Macaire transformed the character into a satirical symbol of brazen, manipulative, and often criminal opportunism

Abélard and Héloïse - famous 12th-century lovers whose tragic, passionate, and ultimately star-crossed relationship became a celebrated legend of romance. They were married secretly, later forcibly separated, and became monks/nuns, but remained deeply devoted. Their shared tomb is a major feature of Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Malherbe, Du Périer - François de Malherbe (1555–1628) was a famous French poet. His celebrated poem, Consolation à Monsieur du Périer, written after the death of his friend's daughter

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume V Chapter 99-102
00:30 99 Madame Danglars seeks help from Debray, then Villefort. She asks Villefort to let Andrea escape to avoid scandal, but he refuses. He has bigger worries at home, and Andrea has already been caught.
22:50 100 Recovering, Valentine sees Monte Cristo, who reveals watching her for nights, substituting poison for healthy drinks. He gives her red liquid, telling her to feign sleep when the killer soon to be revealed arrives after midnight.
39:05 101 Pretending sleep, Valentine saw her stepmother poison her drink. Monte Cristo returned, promising a safety plan. He gave her a drug, emptied some poison to fake consumption, and left through a secret door.
52:14 102 Madame de Villefort confirms Valentine's death and disposes of the poison. Monte Cristo secretly replaced it, which Dr. d'Avrigny identified, causing the killer to collapse as servants fled.

Main Characters of Volume V
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Grisette n arch. a young working-class Frenchwoman; a common edible woodland mushroom with a brown or grey cap, a slender stem, and white gills
Lazaretto n an isolation hospital for people with infectious diseases, especially leprosy or plague

Locusta - she was hired by Agrippina the Younger to concoct the poison used to murder her husband, Emperor Claudius, clearing the way for her son, Nero, to take the throne. Later, she was hired by Emperor Nero himself to poison his stepbrother and rival, Britannicus. After Nero's fall, she was publicly executed by his successor, Galba, in 69 CE.

Germain Pilon’s Grace - a highly important French Renaissance sculptor, considered the master of French sculpture during the second half of the 16th century. The monument Grace features three intertwined, nude female figures known as The Three Graces. They are depicted in an elegant, flowing style, holding an urn that once contained the heart of King Henry II

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume V Chapter 96,97,98
00:30 96 At Danglars’s contract signing Monte Cristo reveals a newly found waistcoat letter tying Andrea to Caderousse. Police arrive to arrest Andrea as an escaped convict for murder, but he has already fled elsewhere.
24:30 97 Eugénie and Louise immediately enact their escape plan, disguise Eugénie as Louise’s brother, use the passport and theater letters Monte Cristo provided, pack their trunk, and leave for Italy through Brussels.
38:33 98 Andrea steals the wedding jewels, flees by cab and horse, hides in an inn chimney, drops into Eugénie and Louise’s room, is caught by police, and the exposed women depart for Brussels amid attention.

Main Characters of Volume V
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Dorante, Valère, Alceste - they are main characters from “The Misanthrope” (Le Misanthrope) by Molière. The speaker is imitating the tactful, polite, socially careful manner of dorante or Valère when dealing with someone like Alceste
Endymion - a figure from Greek mythology, He was a beautiful young shepherd; Selene, the moon goddess, fell in love with him. According to the myth, he was granted eternal sleep by Zeus so that he would remain immortal and forever youthful, allowing Selene to visit him each night
Outvie v arch. outdo in competition or rivalry (out Vy)
Quærens quem devoret - lat, seeking whom to devour

Cholera morbus - gastroenteritis characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and sometimes vomiting
Omphale - a queen of Lydia in Greek mythology who enslaved the hero Heracles and forced him to dress as a woman while she wore his lion skin
Trousseau - fr, bridal collection of clothes, linens, personal items a bride assembles for her marriage
Corbeille - fr, the bridal gift basket, a traditional collection of expensive presents the groom’s family gives the bride. It usually includes things like jewelry, lace, shawls, perfumes, fine fabrics
Provident adj making or indicative of timely preparation for the future

Achilles with Deidamia - a mythological scene: when Achilles was young, his mother hid him on the island of Scyros to prevent him from going to war. Deidamia is the princess of Scyros. Achilles disguised as a girl and lived among Deidamia and her sisters. During that time, Achilles and Deidamia became lovers.
Brigadier - fr, a junior officer in charge, not a high-ranking commander
Raillery n good-humoured teasing
Conciergerie - famous prison in Paris. Historically located on the Île de la Cité and was used for holding prisoners awaiting trial during the French Revolution and after

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume IV Chapter 74-95
00:30 74 Two days after the Saint-Mérans’ funeral, Villefort insists Franz and Valentine sign the marriage contract; preparations proceed, but Barrois announces Noirtier wishes to see Franz immediately, prompting them to follow him.
21:42 75 Noirtier directs Franz to a document detailing his father's death. The General was killed in a fair duel by a Bonapartist president after refusing their plot. Franz asks the killer's name. Noirtier confesses himself.
45:56 76 Monte Cristo visits the Danglars, learns of financial losses and broken engagements. Andrea courts Eugénie; Albert appears indifferent. Danglars favors Andrea, hinting at Fernand’s scandalous past in Greece.
1:08:48 77 Monte Cristo introduces Albert to Haydée, Ali Pasha’s daughter, who recounts her father’s betrayal and enslavement. Albert listens, unaware that his own father was the traitor responsible for her family’s downfall.
1:59:13 78 Franz ends the engagement; Noirtier restores Valentine’s inheritance. Danglars breaks Albert’s match over Fernand’s rumored betrayal. Albert, angered by Beauchamp’s Janina article, challenges Beauchamp to a duel.
79 Valentine tells Maximilien about moving with Noirtier. She offers thirsty Barrois lemonade, but he collapses and dies. The doctor identifies poison, the same that killed Madame de Villefort, Barrois had prepared it earlier.
3:09:06 80 Villefort learns Barrois's death was a poisoning aimed at Noirtier, d'Avrigny insists Valentine is the suspect and urges arrest, but Villefort refuses to believe it and quiets him, while all his house servants resign that night.
81 Andrea secures Eugénie's hand from Danglars. Caderousse demands more money and aid, Andrea hints the Count might be his father, shares house layout, and notes the Count will be in Auteuil for several days.
82 Monte Cristo, disguised as Abbé Busoni, ambushes Caderousse during a break-in. Caderousse attacks him, fails, escapes, and is stabbed. Dying, he confesses as Monte Cristo and Ali rush to him.
4:27:27 83 Ali and the Count tend the wounded Caderousse. Caderousse reveals Benedetto’s attack, leaves a confession, and denies God's existence. Count reveals himself, Caderousse acknowledges God and dies.
84 Villefort investigates Caderousse’s murder; police search for Benedetto. Andrea and Eugénie’s marriage plans proceed despite her reluctance. Albert learns his father’s betrayal from Beauchamp, destroying the proof.
85 Monte Cristo clarifies he hasn’t sponsored Andrea. He invites Albert to Normandy. After traveling and leisure, Albert receives a newspaper revealing his father’s betrayal, prompting him to ride immediately back to Paris.
5:18:17 86 Haydée exposes Morcerf’s crimes before the Upper House: he betrayed Ali Pasha, sold Haydée and her mother into slavery, and murdered her father. Unable to defend himself, Morcerf is unanimously convicted and flees.
87 Albert plans to avenge his family’s dishonor and seeks Beauchamp’s help. They confront Danglars, learning his inquiries were innocent. Albert recalls Monte Cristo’s guidance and realizes he might have hidden motives.
88 Albert plans to confront Monte Cristo, who will be at the opera. Albert visits his mother, who defends the count. During intermission, Albert challenges the Count to a duel, with Morrel and Emmanuel to serve as seconds.
6:21:52 89 Monte Cristo checks his dueling pistols when Mercédès, veiled, begs him not to kill Albert. She recognized him, learns Fernand’s role in his arrest, and he vows to spare Albert, leaving Mercédès witnessing his lost vengeance.
90 The Count laments his ruined vengeance, writes a will favoring Haydée and Maximilien, prepares for a duel with Albert; given Mercédès’ intervention, Albert apologizes, realises the count’s motives, and the duel is canceled.
91 Albert rejects convention and prepares to leave with Mercédès. Bertuccio brings Monte Cristo’s letter revealing money buried long ago for Mercédès. Mercédès decides to use it as a dowry for a convent.
7:21:53 92 Monte Cristo returns home; Haydée greets him. Morcerf arrives, threatens a duel. Monte Cristo reveals himself as Edmond Dantès. Morcerf flees home, witnesses his family leaving. An explosion pursues.
93 Maximilien visits sickly Valentine, who follows Noirtier’s medicine and feels worsening bitterness. After greeting the Danglars, she weakens. Returning to Noirtier and Morrel, she collapses and servants are called for help.
94 Morrel seeks Monte Cristo when Valentine collapses. The doctor realizes she was protected by Noirtier’s gradual brucine doses. The Count, anguished, promises she will live while secretly moving in next door as Abbé Busoni.
8:21:57 95 Eugénie tells her father she refuses marriage but will sign the contract only if he uses her dowry to restore his failing credit, not invest it. She hints at a private plan she won’t reveal.

Main Characters of Volume IV
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Phaedrus - written by Plato, is a dialogue between Socrates and Phaedrus, an interlocutor in several dialogues
Malibran, Grisi - former, a celebrated French-Spanish mezzo-soprano, famous across Europe for her operatic performances. She was considered one of the greatest singers of her era; latter, an Italian soprano, known for her operatic roles, especially in the bel canto repertoire
Prodigality n spending or using large amounts of money, time, energy, unwisely (Praw di gality)
Law - John Law, a Scottish financier and economist, famous for his role in early 18th-century French finance, he created the Mississippi Company, which controlled trade and had a monopoly in French Louisiana, he then issued paper money backed by the company’s stock, which led to massive speculation. People bought shares thinking their value would keep rising; the Mississippi Bubble burst in 1720, ruining many investors when the stock collapsed
Brabantio - a character from Shakespeare’s play Othello. He is Desdemona’s father, and in the play he delivers a famous speech (“malediction”) denouncing Othello for marrying his daughter

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume IV Chapter 92,93,94
00:30 92 Monte Cristo returns home; Haydée greets him. Morcerf arrives, threatens a duel. Monte Cristo reveals himself as Edmond Dantès. Morcerf flees home, witnesses his family leaving. An explosion pursues.
19:22 93 Maximilien visits sickly Valentine, who follows Noirtier’s medicine and feels worsening bitterness. After greeting the Danglars, she weakens. Returning to Noirtier and Morrel, she collapses and servants are summoned for help.
35:34 94 Morrel seeks Monte Cristo when Valentine collapses. The doctor realizes she was protected by Noirtier’s gradual brucine doses. The Count, anguished, promises she will live while secretly moving in next door as Abbé Busoni.

Main Characters of Volume IV
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Report n a sudden loud noise of or like an explosion or gunfire

Panacea n a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases; cure-all (pan na Sea uh)
Volubility n the quality of talking fluently, readily, or incessantly, talkativeness (vol lu Bility)

Vehmgericht - ger, a medieval German tribunal system that operated in Westphalia during the Late Middle Ages. These tribunals were run by a fraternal organization of lay judges known as "free judges" and filled a judicial gap left by the fragmentation of the Holy Roman Empire.
Sterne - Laurence Sterne was an Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric. He is best known for his comic novels The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy.
Atreidae - The Atreidae are the family descended from Atreus in Greek mythology, Atreus is a mythological king whose family was cursed with endless violence and tragedy; of repeated disasters, murder, revenge killings, betrayal, cursed inheritance, and divine punishment.
Faubourg n a suburb, especially one in Paris (Foe bu org)
Tottering adj (of a structure) shaking or swaying, about to collapse; (of a person's steps) feeble, unsteady

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume IV Chapter 89,90,91
00:30 89 Monte Cristo checks his dueling pistols when Mercédès, veiled, begs him not to kill Albert. She recognized him, learns Fernand’s role in his arrest, and he vows to spare Albert, leaving Mercédès witnessing his lost vengeance.
19:55 90 Monte Cristo laments his ruined vengeance, writes a will favoring Haydée and Maximilien, prepares for a duel with Albert; given Mercédès’ intervention, Albert apologizes, realises the count’s motives, and the duel is canceled.
46:33 91 Albert rejects convention and prepares to leave with Mercédès. Bertuccio brings Monte Cristo’s letter revealing money buried long ago for Mercédès. Mercédès decides to use it as a dowry for a convent.

Main Characters of Volume IV
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Suivez-moi! - fr, follow me! 
Stipendiary adj receiving a stipend; working for payment rather than voluntarily; n a person receiving a stipend (sty Pen diery)
Guzerat and Ophir - references to legendary sources of wealth: Guzerat, historical region in India (modern Gujarat), famous for pearls and jewels; Ophir, biblical land reputed for gold, silver, and precious stones; often used in literature as a symbol of extreme wealth

Brutus…the battle of Philippi - Brutus was visited by a shadowy apparition, identified as his "evil spirit," which told him it would meet him again at Philippi. This is the famous event dramatized in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and is a prominent scene leading up to the battle. Historically, this may have been interpreted by Brutus and his soldiers as a premonition of defeat.

Forswear (past. forsworn) v agree to give up or do without; arch. commit perjury, swear falsely
Feuchères, Barye - Feuchère was a friend and contemporary of the famous animal sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye, both working as sculptors in 19th-century Paris. Feuchère contributed to decorative pieces, while Barye became famous for his naturalistic and dramatic bronze sculptures of animals.

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume IV Chapter 86,87,88
00:30 86 Haydée exposes Morcerf’s crimes before the Upper House: he betrayed Ali Pasha, sold Haydée and her mother into slavery, and murdered her father. Unable to defend himself, Morcerf is unanimously convicted and flees.
29:34 87 Albert plans to avenge his family’s dishonor and seeks Beauchamp’s help. They confront Danglars, learning his inquiries were innocent. Albert recalls Monte Cristo’s guidance and realizes he might have hidden motives.
43:34 88 Albert plans to confront Monte Cristo, who will be at the opera. Albert visits his mother, who defends the count. During intermission, Albert challenges the Count to a duel, with Morrel and Emmanuel to serve as seconds.

Main Characters of Volume IV
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Calumnious adj (of a statement) false and defamatory; slanderous
Primate n the chief bishop or archbishop of a province (Prim met)
Hegira - (Hijra) Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in AD 622, marking the consolidation of the first Muslim community (Hej-uh-ruh)
Fire-keeper - turk, a low-ranking but trusted servant who managed the hearth or furnaces of a palace or fortress. Such a person would often be close enough to overhear or witness private events
Virgil - from Virgil’s Aeneid, where the Roman poet describes how goddesses move with majestic, graceful, almost superhuman composure

Calumniator n a person who makes false, malicious accusations to damage other’s reputation (ca Lum niay ter)
‘idole de mon âme!’ - fr, 'idol of my soul!'
William Tell - a legendary Swiss folk hero, famous for defying a tyrannical Austrian bailiff by refusing to bow to a hat and being forced to shoot an apple off his son's head with a crossbow.
Braggadocio n boastful or arrogant behaviour (brag ga Doe chio)

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume IV Chapter 83,84,85
00:30 83 Ali and the Count tend the wounded Caderousse. Caderousse reveals Benedetto’s attack, leaves a confession, and denies God's existence. Count reveals himself, Caderousse acknowledges God and dies.
14:27 84 Villefort investigates Caderousse’s murder; police search for Benedetto. Andrea and Eugénie’s marriage plans proceed despite her reluctance. Albert learns his father’s betrayal from Beauchamp, destroying the proof.
29:06 85 Monte Cristo clarifies he hasn’t sponsored Andrea. He invites Albert to Normandy. After traveling and leisure, Albert receives a newspaper revealing his father’s betrayal, prompting him to ride immediately back to Paris.

Main Characters of Volume IV
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Deo ignoto - latin, To an unknown God
Pilate - Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who presided over Jesus’s trial, when the crowd demanded crucifixion, Pilate symbolically washed his hands in front of them to absolve himself of responsibility
Impresari - ita, impresario, a person who organizes and often finances concerts, plays, or operas
Amphitrite - the Greek goddess of the sea, wife of Poseidon, and mother of Triton. She represents the sea's tranquility and is known as the queen of the sea (Am fuh Trai tee)
Britzka n pol, an open carriage with a folding hood and space for people to recline (Britz ka)
Bastinado n spa, a form of punishment or torture by caning the soles of one's feet (Bastin na doe)
Simoom n arab, a hot, dry, dust-laden wind blowing in the desert, especially in Arabia (sim Moom)
Countenance v admit as acceptable or possible
Gules n red, as a heraldic tincture (Gills)
Piscatory adj piscatorial, concerning fishermen or fishing (Pis ket tory)

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume IV Chapter 80,81,82
00:30 80 Villefort learns Barrois's death was a poisoning aimed at Noirtier, d'Avrigny insists Valentine is the suspect and urges arrest, but Villefort refuses to believe it and quiets him, while all his house servants resign that night.
14:19 81 Andrea secures Eugénie's hand from Danglars. Caderousse demands more money and aid, Andrea hints the Count might be his father, shares house layout, and notes the Count will be in Auteuil for several days.
50:08 82 Monte Cristo, disguised as Abbé Busoni, ambushes Caderousse during a break-in. Caderousse attacks him, fails, escapes, and is stabbed. Dying, he confesses as Monte Cristo and Ali rush to him.

Main Characters of Volume IV
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Locusta and Agrippina - historical figures from ancient Rome, both infamous for their association with poisoning and political murder: Locusta was a notorious professional poisoner in Rome during Emperor Nero’s time. She was employed by the imperial family to eliminate rivals, basically, an expert assassin through poison.
Brunhilda and Fredegund - two rival queens from early medieval France, around the 6th and 7th centuries, both infamous for their violent power struggles.Fredegund was the ruthless wife of King Chilperic I of Neustria. She was known for her cruelty, assassinations, and intrigues, killing rivals and even her own stepchildren to secure her power. Brunhilda was the queen of Austrasia, wife of King Sigebert I, and Fredegund’s lifelong enemy. She was politically shrewd but equally brutal, responsible for wars and executions during her long reign.
Jurisprudence n the theory or philosophy of law 法理 (juris Pru dence)
Polonius - In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, he is an old court adviser who hides behind a curtain to eavesdrop on a conversation between Hamlet and his mother. Hamlet, thinking it’s the king (his real target), stabs through the curtain and kills Polonius by mistake.

Fruiteress n arch. a woman who sells or deals in fruit (Fruit ter ress)
D’hôte - fr, of the host
Pilchard n a small, edible, commercially valuable marine fish of the herring family (Pil cherd)
Decamp v leave a place suddenly or secretly (de Camp)
Confiteor! - latin, I confess!
Tuileries - A palace in Paris which stood on the right bank of the Seine, directly in the west-front of the Louvre Palace. It was the Parisian residence of most French monarchs, from Henri IV to Napoleon III (Twee lery)
Germ n an initial stage from which something may develop

Sloop n a one-masted sailing boat with a mainsail and jib rigged fore and aft; historic. Anti submarine
Fiesco and the Moor - comes from Friedrich Schiller’s play The Conspiracy of Fiesco at Genoa, Giovanni Luigi Fieschi (Fiesco) is a Genoese nobleman who plots to overthrow the ruling Doria family. A Moor (his servant) tries to assassinate Fiesco, but Fiesco outsmarts him, turning the situation to his advantage and ultimately defeating the would-be killer.
Invalides - Hôtel des Invalides, a complex in Paris that includes military museums and the tomb of Napoleon I
Place de Grève - The site of most of the public executions in early Paris. The gallows and pillory stood.
Diavolo! - ita, devil!
Factitious adj artificially created or developed rather than genuine; bogus, fake (fact Tit tious)
Suffer v arch. allow (someone) to do something; tolerate
Abettor n one who encourages or assists another to do something wrong, in particular to commit a crime (a Better)
Stanchion n a fixed vertical bar or pole used as a support for something (Stahn tion)

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume IV Chapter 78,79
00:30 78 Franz ends the engagement; Noirtier restores Valentine’s inheritance. Danglars breaks Albert’s match over Fernand’s rumored betrayal. Albert, angered by Beauchamp’s Janina article, challenges Beauchamp to a duel.
44:43 79 Valentine tells Maximilien about moving with Noirtier. She offers thirsty Barrois lemonade, but he collapses and dies. The doctor identifies poison, the same that killed Madame de Villefort, Barrois had prepared it earlier.

Main Characters of Volume IV
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Irrefragable adj not able to be refuted or disproved, indisputable (ir Ref frig gable)
The Bride of Lammermoor - a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1819, one of the Waverley novels, in which Laird (master) Edgar of Ravenswood, and Lucy Ashton are tragic lovers; during Lucy’s forced marriage to another man, Ravenswood was too late to stop it, and the scene spirals into tragedy.
Retractation n retraction

Ether n a pleasant-smelling colourless volatile liquid that is highly flammable. It is used as an anaesthetic and as a solvent or intermediate in industrial processes; the clear sky; the upper regions of air beyond the clouds (Eh ther)
Emetic n a medicine or other substance which causes vomiting; adj (im Met tic)
Litmus n a dye obtained from certain lichens that is red under acid conditions and blue under alkaline conditions (Lit mus)

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume IV Chapter 77
00:30 77 Monte Cristo introduces Albert to Haydée, Ali Pasha’s daughter, who recounts her father’s betrayal and enslavement. Albert listens, unaware that his own father was the traitor responsible for her family’s downfall.

Main Characters of Volume IV
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre - a targeted group of assassinations and a wave of Catholic mob violence directed against the Huguenots (French Calvinist Protestants) during the French Wars of Religion. Traditionally believed to have been instigated by Queen Catherine de' Medici
To pay one's addresses - arch. Of a man, to court, woo, or formally pursue someone for marriage
Cajolery n coaxing or flattery intended to persuade someone to do something (ca Jole ry)
Isis - The goddess Isis (from Egyptian mythology) was associated with mystery cults in ancient times, secret religious rites only known to initiates
Latakia n a highly aromatic Turkish smoking tobacco (la te Kia)
Enjoin v instruct or urge (someone) to do something (inJoin)
Interdict v prohibit or forbid
Εἰπέ - grk, speak
Palikari (Palikares pl) - grk, n a young, brave man, or historically, a Greek soldier in the War of Independence against the Ottomans
Seraskier n hist. the commander-in-chief and minister of war of the Ottoman Empire (seres Skier)
Kataphygion - grk, refuge or shelter
Priming n gunpowder placed in the pan of a firearm to ignite a charge; a substance that prepares something for use or action (Prime ming)
Firman n an edict issued by an Ottoman or Middle Eastern ruler; a grant or permit (Fur men)
Chasten v (of a rebuke or misfortune) have a restraining or moderating effect on (Chasen)

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CostasNarrativeXP end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.

Volume IV Chapter 74,75,76
00:30 74 Two days after the Saint-Mérans’ funeral, Villefort insists Franz and Valentine sign the marriage contract; preparations proceed, but Barrois announces Noirtier wishes to see Franz immediately, prompting them to follow him.
21:42 75 Noirtier directs Franz to a document detailing his father's death. The General was killed in a fair duel by a Bonapartist president after refusing their plot. Franz asks the killer's name. Noirtier confesses himself.
45:58 76 Monte Cristo visits the Danglars, learns of financial losses and broken engagements. Andrea courts Eugénie; Albert appears indifferent. Danglars favors Andrea, hinting at Fernand’s scandalous past in Greece.

Main Characters of Volume IV
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.

Costa's Wordbook
Dignitary n a person considered to be important because of high rank or office (Dig nit tary)
Devotee n a person who is very interested in and enthusiastic about someone or something (Dev ve tee)
Tenacem propositi virum - latin, a man steadfast in purpose
Marengo - Battle of Marengo, Napoleon’s French forces defeated the Austrians in northern Italy, solidifying his power as First Consul.
Austerlitz - Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon’s decisive victory over Russian and Austrian armies, considered his greatest tactical triumph.
Eo rus - latin, I go to the country; In context, the quote on Voltaire to convey a desire for a simple, peaceful death in the countryside, away from pomp and grandeur. 
Trestle n a framework consisting of a horizontal beam supported by two pairs of sloping legs, used in pairs to support a flat surface such as a table top (Tressel)

hoar frost n a greyish-white crystalline deposit of frozen water vapour formed in clear still weather on vegetation, fences, etc
Deliberation n long and careful consideration or discussion

Sappho - an ancient Greek lyric poet from the island of Lesbos, flourishing in the 6th century BCE and renowned for her passionate and personal poetry
Thalberg - Sigismond Thalberg, an Austrian composer and one of the most distinguished virtuoso pianists of the 19th century
Cavatina n a short operatic aria in simple style without repeated sections (ita, Ca va tina)

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CAB - Costa's Audio Book end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

Early 19th-century Europe, France.
Dantès the protagonist, a young sailor, is cruelly betrayed and wrongfully imprisoned.
Finally breaking free, he uses a hard-earned treasure to accelerate his plans for vengeance.
Re-entering Paris, he dazzles society with wealth and charm.
Weaving subtle schemes, he tests the morals of those around him.
New allies and rivals emerge, shaping the path of his journey.

Volume III Chapter 48-73
00:30 48 Villefort thanks Monte Cristo for saving his family; they debate civilized versus natural justice. Villefort then discloses that his father, Noirtier, a once-powerful Jacobin and senator, now lives paralyzed after a devastating stroke.
49 Monte Cristo visits Haydée in her lavish rooms, offers her freedom, but she vows loyalty; he reminds her of youth, urging independence, and only asks she conceal her true parentage in Paris.
50 Monte Cristo visits Maximilian, Julie, and Emmanuel, admiring their blissful home. They recall their benefactor through relics; Monte Cristo suggests Lord Wilmore, while Maximilian’s father insists it was Edmond Dantès’s spirit.
1:02:03 51 Maximilian meets Valentine, who feels unloved and trapped in an arranged marriage. They vow not to give up hope, but Monte Cristo’s arrival forces Valentine to leave.
52 Monte Cristo reminds Madame de Villefort of their past meeting in Italy, discusses poisons and antidotes, and offers her a deadly potion disguised as medicine, subtly fueling her dangerous curiosity.
2:11:42 53 Monte Cristo and Haydée attend the opera, drawing great attention. From her seat, Haydée recognizes Fernand as the man who betrayed her father, Ali Pacha, and sold her into slavery.
54 Albert and Debray visit the Count. They discuss Albert’s unwanted engagement to Eugénie. Debray reveals Madame Danglars gambles with stock money. Albert jokes about false news. Count suspects Debray leaks secrets.
3:14:21 55 Major Cavalcanti visits Monte Cristo, guided by Abbe Busoni’s instructions, to reunite with his long-lost son. He reveals his late wife Olivia and a retroactive marriage making their son Andrea legitimate and heir.
56 Monte Cristo instructs the younger man to pose as Andrea Cavalcanti, the Major’s long-lost son. He provides both men with forged papers, fine clothes, and invites them to his Saturday dinner.
57 Valentine and Maximilien meet secretly, lamenting her forced marriage and family greed. Eugénie wishes for artistic freedom. Valentine distrusts Monte Cristo despite Maximilien’s faith, urging secrecy in their forbidden love.
4:30:14 58 Villefort informs paralyzed Noirtier of Valentine’s arranged marriage to Franz d’Epinay, son of his old enemy. Enraged, Noirtier signals for a notary, hinting at a plan to help Valentine escape the union.
59 Noirtier dictates a will through blinks, leaving his fortune to Valentine only if she refuses to marry Franz d’Epinay. Should she wed him, her inheritance goes to charity. Villefort furiously insists otherwise.
60 The Count visits the Villeforts, gives his country house address, discusses Valentine’s marriage, notes family and political tensions, Madame de Villefort’s anger, coming inheritance, and departs to inspect a telegraph station.
5:32:59 61 Monte Cristo visits a telegraph office, bribing the gardener-operator to send a false message to the ministry, causing Debray to mislead Madame Danglars. Her husband sells Spanish bonds at a loss.
62 Count's Auteuil house, transformed under Bertuccio’s design, receives nine guests. Danglars, sour from financial loss, probes the wealthy Cavalcantis. Bertuccio recognizes Mme Danglars, Villefort, and Andrea as Benedetto.
63 At dinner, Monte Cristo describes a murder in his house’s old bedroom, terrifying Villefort and Madame Danglars. He shows them the garden, revealing a buried infant’s remains, forcing the guilty pair into panic and secrecy.
6:31:07 64 Caderousse, escaped from prison, stops Andrea's departing carriage. He threatens to reveal Andrea’s true identity as Benedetto unless paid 200 francs monthly. Reluctantly, Andrea agrees, securing the beggar’s silence.
65 Danglars confronts Madame Danglars about losing 700,000 francs from false bond tips, linking her and Debray’s roles, demands repayment, and reveals he knows her first husband’s suicide secret, shocking her.
66 Danglars reports Manfredi’s bankruptcy to the Count, discusses Cavalcanti’s wealth, hints at Andrea marrying Eugénie, expresses reservations about Albert de Morcerf, and alludes to Morcerf’s Greek past and Janina inquiry.
7:32:39 67 Villefort confides to Madame Danglars that Monte Cristo’s discovery terrifies him; he buried their newborn thinking it dead, was stabbed, and later found the box gone. He suspects Monte Cristo’s deliberate revenge plot.
68 Albert returns from the seaside and invites Monte Cristo to his parents’ ball. He says his mother is eager to see him and admits dreading marriage to Eugénie, relieved by Monte Cristo’s hint otherwise.
69 Villefort investigates Monte Cristo, meeting Abbé Busoni and Lord Wilmore (both his disguises). Each gives a cover story about his origin and Auteuil house, leaving Villefort reassured the count poses no immediate threat.
8:33:37 70 At the Morcerfs’ Saturday ball, Monte Cristo is the focus; Madame de Morcerf notes he refuses food, opens the garden doors, and invites him to accompany her there.
71 In the greenhouse, Madame de Morcerf offers the Count fruit; he declines. They discuss friendship and lost love before Albert interrupts, announcing Villefort has come for Valentine’s grandfather, Saint-Méran, died en route.
72 Villefort stays home; the marchioness falls ill and fears death, insisting Valentine marry Franz. She finalizes her will, claims a ghost visited, and Valentine informs the doctor before walking in the garden.
9:30:09 73 Maximilien plans to elope with Valentine after her grandmother’s death, but finds her weeping. Meeting Noirtier, he explains their plan; the grandfather insists Maximilien wait, promising a better strategy.

Main Characters of Volume III
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Orchestrates the central schemes of justice and revenge, observing and manipulating events in Paris.
Baron Danglars – His proud obsession with wealth leads to his downfall as his greed is being manipulated, exposing his moral emptiness.
Madame Danglars – Humiliated as her secret affair with Villefort resurfaces, tarnishing her social ambitions.
Gérard de Villefort – Ambitious royal prosecutor whose household intrigues and past actions against Dantès drive the main conflict in this volume.
Valentine de Villefort – Villefort’s virtuous daughter, central to the household subplot and the target of scheming characters.
Heloïse de Villefort – Villefort’s ruthless second wife, scheming to advance her own family’s interests and create tension in the household.
Maximilien Morrel – Loyal suitor to Valentine, representing virtue and directly involved in protecting her and supporting the emotional core of the subplot.
Albert de Morcerf – Present in Paris, socially prominent, manipulated by Monte Cristo, and part of key social observations and schemes.
Bertuccio – Monte Cristo’s agent, whose knowledge of Villefort’s hidden crimes and investigative work enables parts of the revenge plot.

Costa's Wordbook
Protestation n an emphatic declaration in response to doubt or accusation; an objection or protest (Prot test taytion)
Irremediable adj impossible to cure or put right (ir re Me dia ble)
Billet n a short note or letter (fr meaning)
Tetanus n a serious disease caused by bacteria entering the human body through small cuts, causing the muscles, especially around the mouth, to become tight and stop working 破傷風 (Tet tin nis)
Excitation n the action of exciting or the state of being excited, excitement (exit Tay tion)
errare humanum est - latin, To err is human
Strychnine n a bitter and highly poisonous compound obtained from nux vomica and related plants. An alkaloid, it has occasionally been used as a stimulant. (strick neen)
Correggio - Antonio Allegri da Correggio, was an Italian Renaissance painter who was the foremost painter of the Parma school of the High Renaissance, who was responsible for some of the most vigorous and sensuous works of the sixteenth century.
Cabriolet n a light two-wheeled carriage with a hood, drawn by one horse; a car with a roof that folds down (Cab brio lay)
Hark v arch. Listen
Interrogative adj having the force of a question (inter Rog get tive)
Jupiter - In ancient Roman religion and mythology, also known as Jove, is the god of the sky and thunder, and king of the gods.
Docility adj willingness to accept control or instruction, submissiveness (doe Cil lity)

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

CAB Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/comments
CAB - Costa's Audio Book end of the year feature 
Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet

Early 19th-century Europe, France.
Dantès the protagonist, a young sailor, is cruelly betrayed and wrongfully imprisoned.
Finally breaking free, he uses a hard-earned treasure to accelerate his plans for vengeance.
Re-entering Paris, he dazzles society with wealth and charm.
Weaving subtle schemes, he tests the morals of those around him.
New allies and rivals emerge, shaping the path of his journey.

Volume III Chapter 70,71,72
00:30 70 At the Morcerfs’ Saturday ball, Monte Cristo is the focus; Madame de Morcerf notes he refuses food, opens the garden doors, and invites him to accompany her there.
20:24 71 In the greenhouse, Madame de Morcerf offers the Count fruit; he declines. They discuss friendship and lost love before Albert interrupts, announcing Villefort has come for Valentine’s grandfather, Saint-Méran, died en route.
29:41 72 Villefort stays home; the marchioness falls ill and fears death, insisting Valentine marry Franz. She finalizes her will, claims a ghost visited, and Valentine informs the doctor before walking in the garden.

Main Characters of Volume III
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Orchestrates the central schemes of justice and revenge, observing and manipulating events in Paris.
Baron Danglars – His proud obsession with wealth leads to his downfall as his greed is being manipulated, exposing his moral emptiness.
Madame Danglars – Humiliated as her secret affair with Villefort resurfaces, tarnishing her social ambitions.
Gérard de Villefort – Ambitious royal prosecutor whose household intrigues and past actions against Dantès drive the main conflict in this volume.
Valentine de Villefort – Villefort’s virtuous daughter, central to the household subplot and the target of scheming characters.
Heloïse de Villefort – Villefort’s ruthless second wife, scheming to advance her own family’s interests and create tension in the household.
Maximilien Morrel – Loyal suitor to Valentine, representing virtue and directly involved in protecting her and supporting the emotional core of the subplot.
Albert de Morcerf – Present in Paris, socially prominent, manipulated by Monte Cristo, and part of key social observations and schemes.
Bertuccio – Monte Cristo’s agent, whose knowledge of Villefort’s hidden crimes and investigative work enables parts of the revenge plot.

Costa's Wordbook
Camellia n an evergreen East Asian shrub related to the tea plant, grown for its showy flowers and shiny leaves 茶花
Myosotis n a plant of a genus which includes the forget-me-nots 毋忘我 (my Ow so tis)
Elssler - Fanny Elssler, an Austrian ballerina of the Romantic Period
Le Diable boiteux - a novel by the French writer Alain-René Lesage. It is set in Madrid, and tells the story of the demon king Asmodeus, Don Cleophas Leandro Perez Zambullo and his beloved, Donna Thomasa
Cachucha n a lively Spanish solo dance in triple time, performed with castanet accompaniment (ca Chu cha)
Danseuse n a female ballet dancer (Dawn sirs, fr)
Whalebone n an elastic horny substance which grows in a series of thin parallel plates in the upper jaw of some whales and is used by them to strain plankton from the seawater 鯨鬚
Le Siècle - fr, The Age, a daily newspaper that was published from 1836 to 1932 in France
Franck & Poulmann - 19th-century German bankers in Frankfurt. In the early 1830s, they went bankrupt, causing ripples in European financial circles at the time.
Partant pour la Syrie - the de facto national anthem of the Second French Empire, used between 1852 and 1870. The music was composed by Hortense de Beauharnais, and the lyrics were written by Alexandre de Laborde, in or around 1807.

Muscatel n a muscat grape, especially as grown for drying to make raisins 麝香葡萄 (Mus ca tel)

Laboriously adv n a way that takes considerable time and effort (la Bor riously)
Phosphoric adj relating to or containing phosphorus, yellowish (phos Phoric)
Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin - aramaic, Numbered, numbered, weighed, divided; a prophetic judgment, God “counted” the days of the kingdom, “weighed” it and found it wanting, and “divided” it among others
Orangeade n a carbonated drink flavoured with orange (Orange jade)
Consumptive adj n a person with a wasting disease, especially pulmonary tuberculosis

Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations

CAB Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content

Patreon: costasaudiobook
Podcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOn