Comments on: PC028: The Tanuki-Kettle http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/ PodCastle is the world\'s first audio fantasy magazine. Weekly, we broadcast the best in fantasy short stories, running the gammut from heart-pounding sword and sorcery, to strange surrealist tales, to gritty urban fantasy, to the psychological depth of magical realism. Our podcast features authors including Peter Beagle, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Jim C. Hines, and Cat Rambo, among others. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:48:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: EugieFoster.com Read/Listen & Buy http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-3330 EugieFoster.com Read/Listen & Buy Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:04:48 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-3330 [...] “The Tanuki-Kettle” (in Returning My Sister’s Face, produced by PodCastle, Oct. 2008). [...] [...] “The Tanuki-Kettle” (in Returning My Sister’s Face, produced by PodCastle, Oct. 2008). [...]

]]> By: EugieFoster.com Audio Podcasts http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-3321 EugieFoster.com Audio Podcasts Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:57:35 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-3321 [...] Tanuki-Kettle” (reprint) in PodCastle, October 2008. FREE FICTION! engaging and charming, and not without incidental unexpected twists [...] [...] Tanuki-Kettle” (reprint) in PodCastle, October 2008. FREE FICTION! engaging and charming, and not without incidental unexpected twists [...]

]]> By: EugieFoster.com Fiction http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-3318 EugieFoster.com Fiction Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:57:39 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-3318 [...] The Tanuki-Kettle [Listen] [...] [...] The Tanuki-Kettle [Listen] [...]

]]> By: More links for your enjoyment (or I’m actually doing some writing for once so I’ll just cut and paste here…) « The Cafe in the Woods http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1696 More links for your enjoyment (or I’m actually doing some writing for once so I’ll just cut and paste here…) « The Cafe in the Woods Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:16:27 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1696 [...] For some more culture goodness, this time Japanese-flavored, check out the story that comes after: The Tanuki-Kettle. A very sweet tale [...] [...] For some more culture goodness, this time Japanese-flavored, check out the story that comes after: The Tanuki-Kettle. A very sweet tale [...]

]]> By: The Fix | From the Podosphere: October 2008 http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1678 The Fix | From the Podosphere: October 2008 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:21:33 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1678 [...] Foster’s* “The Tanuki-Kettle” (read by Tina Connolly) is an eastern fantasy in the style of a traditional fairy tale, [...] [...] Foster’s* “The Tanuki-Kettle” (read by Tina Connolly) is an eastern fantasy in the style of a traditional fairy tale, [...]

]]> By: LaShawn http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1508 LaShawn Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:10:24 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1508 Being a fellow tea-drinker, I find this story sweet, light and delicate with an amusing aftertaste. Thanks for posting such a delicious story! Being a fellow tea-drinker, I find this story sweet, light and delicate with an amusing aftertaste. Thanks for posting such a delicious story!

]]> By: Old Man Parker http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1495 Old Man Parker Sun, 19 Oct 2008 05:19:38 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1495 What the..? I should have hated this story. It was way too cute. I was trying to hate it. Really. Then, suddenly, I was all warm and emotional and wanting to drink some nice tea, and beaming over the happy ending. What the..?
I should have hated this story. It was way too cute. I was trying to hate it. Really. Then, suddenly, I was all warm and emotional and wanting to drink some nice tea, and beaming over the happy ending.

]]> By: Alice http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1454 Alice Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:22:38 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1454 I sometimes wonder if I freak out my roommates by listening to these out loud. For this story they actually asked me to turn it up! Whether it was the excellent narration or the sweet and whimsical quality of the story I'm not sure, but we all agree it was a win! I sometimes wonder if I freak out my roommates by listening to these out loud. For this story they actually asked me to turn it up! Whether it was the excellent narration or the sweet and whimsical quality of the story I’m not sure, but we all agree it was a win!

]]> By: Ronnie http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1453 Ronnie Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:56:58 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1453 Wow! Coincidence. I just today picked up a children's book version of the Tanuki as teapot story from the library today, then came home and saw this. Wow! Coincidence. I just today picked up a children’s book version of the Tanuki as teapot story from the library today, then came home and saw this.

]]> By: Audita Sum http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1443 Audita Sum Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:04:17 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1443 I'm growing weary of these cutesy stories. I’m growing weary of these cutesy stories.

]]> By: Hoyajon http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1436 Hoyajon Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:30:32 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1436 What a great story! I listened to it with my 12 year old son while we drove home from his baseball game. At the end of the drive, we were both smiling. On another note, one of the great values of the whole Escape series is the ability to share great literature with my kids. My daughter was inspired when I played "Come Lady Death" with her. Please keep putting up works I can play in the car when the kids are in the cabin. What a great story! I listened to it with my 12 year old son while we drove home from his baseball game. At the end of the drive, we were both smiling.

On another note, one of the great values of the whole Escape series is the ability to share great literature with my kids. My daughter was inspired when I played “Come Lady Death” with her. Please keep putting up works I can play in the car when the kids are in the cabin.

]]> By: scatterbrain http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1433 scatterbrain Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:02:52 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1433 Trust the Japanese to have a lengendary creature with an enormous pair of bollocks; but then again, most British lengendary creatures are drunkards, so I'm really in no position to complain. Something I realized during the story was that Podcastle has been doing mostly Eastern and 'philosophical' fantasy rather than any sword-'n'-sorcery; why can't we listen to anything of the likes of Elric or Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser for a change? Trust the Japanese to have a lengendary creature with an enormous pair of bollocks; but then again, most British lengendary creatures are drunkards, so I’m really in no position to complain.

Something I realized during the story was that Podcastle has been doing mostly Eastern and ‘philosophical’ fantasy rather than any sword-’n'-sorcery; why can’t we listen to anything of the likes of Elric or Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser for a change?

]]> By: Rachel http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1432 Rachel Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:35:08 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1432 "It seemed like it was story written for children, or young adults" Well, it was published in Cricket. ;) “It seemed like it was story written for children, or young adults”

Well, it was published in Cricket. ;)

]]> By: yicheng http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1431 yicheng Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:22:49 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1431 While enjoyable, this story was too predictable and contrived. It seemed like it was story written for children, or young adults, rather than a "serious" piece of tanooki fantasy (lol). The reading by Tina Connolly was good. I'm told, however, that the correct japanese pronunciation is with the emphasis on the first syllable, like TAH-ookee, rather than teh-NOO-kee. BTW, in traditional japanese mythology (apart from the Studio Ghibli stuff) Tanooki's are pretty mischievious and cunning creatures, and not always cute and harmless. While enjoyable, this story was too predictable and contrived. It seemed like it was story written for children, or young adults, rather than a “serious” piece of tanooki fantasy (lol). The reading by Tina Connolly was good. I’m told, however, that the correct japanese pronunciation is with the emphasis on the first syllable, like TAH-ookee, rather than teh-NOO-kee. BTW, in traditional japanese mythology (apart from the Studio Ghibli stuff) Tanooki’s are pretty mischievious and cunning creatures, and not always cute and harmless.

]]> By: Mark http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1430 Mark Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:13:54 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1430 Simply delightful! Simply delightful!

]]> By: Blaine Boy http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1429 Blaine Boy Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:20:01 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1429 Where can we all get a Tanuki? I don't care if it has huge testicles (awkward as that sounds) if it can perform magical, mischievous deeds I want one. I couldn't help but smile. I loved this story absolutely loved it. Normally, I would be brimming with cynicism about how lame and cliche this story is, but it was just so well done I could never be able to bring myself to something negative about it. It was unbelievably good. Bonus points to epilonious for his awesome metaphors though. I just want to listen to it over and over again (and that is something I never do with a story. I have never re-read a story for pleasure. I always think that it will take away from it because of over-analyzation.) Amazing choice guys. Yours ever and truly faithfully, the Blaine Boy Where can we all get a Tanuki? I don’t care if it has huge testicles (awkward as that sounds) if it can perform magical, mischievous deeds I want one. I couldn’t help but smile. I loved this story absolutely loved it. Normally, I would be brimming with cynicism about how lame and cliche this story is, but it was just so well done I could never be able to bring myself to something negative about it. It was unbelievably good. Bonus points to epilonious for his awesome metaphors though. I just want to listen to it over and over again (and that is something I never do with a story. I have never re-read a story for pleasure. I always think that it will take away from it because of over-analyzation.) Amazing choice guys.

Yours ever and truly faithfully,
the Blaine Boy

]]> By: epilonious http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1426 epilonious Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:28:23 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1426 I really enjoyed this story. I listened to it twice and I was grinning the whole time. It helped me deal with a much-earlier-than-usual morning commute. Like a good cup of tea, the savory bitterness of life and mischief within the story was cut well with the sweetness of good humor, well-applied faith, and just the right amount of thoughtfulness. Mischief was guided carefully to lessons, and sweetness was never allowed to grow to the point of dyspepsia. Massive thanks to Eugie Foster for sharing this story with us. And Props to Tina Connolly, for I shall never be able to think of a Tanuki speaking any other way. I also adored M. K. Hobsons introduction. Just the trifecta of good storytelling. I really enjoyed this story. I listened to it twice and I was grinning the whole time. It helped me deal with a much-earlier-than-usual morning commute.

Like a good cup of tea, the savory bitterness of life and mischief within the story was cut well with the sweetness of good humor, well-applied faith, and just the right amount of thoughtfulness. Mischief was guided carefully to lessons, and sweetness was never allowed to grow to the point of dyspepsia.

Massive thanks to Eugie Foster for sharing this story with us. And Props to Tina Connolly, for I shall never be able to think of a Tanuki speaking any other way.

I also adored M. K. Hobsons introduction.

Just the trifecta of good storytelling.

]]> By: Hyperion http://podcastle.org/2008/10/08/pc028-the-tanuki-kettle/#comment-1425 Hyperion Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:01:18 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=61#comment-1425 What a delightful and inventive story! Not one but two Japanese Feudal "Meet-Cutes," and for the first time I have ever written those words, that's a compliment. (Big Ups to Tina Connolly as well. The source material is always what it is, but a great reading can add so much.) You know, post-post-modern semi-perv that I (and I suspect many others) am, I always get a slight bump in the pulse when I see an "R" or "X" rating. After all, there is nothing like magical story boobies, with the possibility of untold carnage as well. That said, Eugie Foster drums home that you don't need the S&M (or Murderous Grim) to have a great story. You just need a great story. Lastly, on a CastlePod level, I believe "The Tanuki-Kettle" is the third (fourth, if you count India) solidly "Eastern" story presented here. Since great stories can come from anywhere, this clearly points to Rachel Swirsky possessing a good eye (ear?) for quality work. Keep 'em coming! What a delightful and inventive story! Not one but two Japanese Feudal “Meet-Cutes,” and for the first time I have ever written those words, that’s a compliment.

(Big Ups to Tina Connolly as well. The source material is always what it is, but a great reading can add so much.)

You know, post-post-modern semi-perv that I (and I suspect many others) am, I always get a slight bump in the pulse when I see an “R” or “X” rating. After all, there is nothing like magical story boobies, with the possibility of untold carnage as well.

That said, Eugie Foster drums home that you don’t need the S&M (or Murderous Grim) to have a great story. You just need a great story.

Lastly, on a CastlePod level, I believe “The Tanuki-Kettle” is the third (fourth, if you count India) solidly “Eastern” story presented here. Since great stories can come from anywhere, this clearly points to Rachel Swirsky possessing a good eye (ear?) for quality work.

Keep ‘em coming!

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