Narrator is a joy to listen to Love Jeeves!!

A masterful story narrated by a masterful story teller! Podcast audio at its best!!!

I was introduced to P. G. Woodhouse and the beloved Jeeves character by this amazing podcaster. I love the way he reads ALL the stories! And I love the personal moments. Check out this podcast and become a monthly contributor. You won’t regret it!

Love these so much I subscribed! As a retired person I am selective about subscribing but this, at a measly 5 per month, is money well spent. Won’t you join me and subscribe too?

Ione of the most outstanding podcasts available!!! B. J.’s selections and delivery are remarkable!!! Can’t get enough of this podcast and proudly support it!! Thanx, B. J. Stephanie Harmon - 02/24 - Tennessee

Great, high quality readings and productions of well chosen classic stories.

As an avid reader and multitasker, this podcast has become my go to. Narration is stellar. The stories are great and are ones that I don’t often come across. The PG Woodhouse series are my absolute favorite. I have listened to them multiple times when I need a few good laughs. They are the original screwball comedies! So much fun!

This podcast deserves more than 5 stars!!! Absolutely love hearing these stories. And most of all I LOVE the different voices. Honestly brought me to tears but such happy, happy ones, it reminded me of listening to my Grandfather read to me as a child. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you so much for this gem, which is now one of my favorite podcasts of all time! I’ve been introduced to so many classics that I now love, but may have never discovered on my own (“Something New”, “Scaramouche”, and “Riders of the Purple Sage” were some of my favorites). Not only is the selection of literature fantastic, but B.J. Harrison is a masterful narrator and really makes these stories come alive!

Wonderful voice theater. This is art. Jeeves and Bertie are addictive - so is smith in the city. Love the interpretation of characters through voice. No other podcast reader can do it better.

The show always has great narration and a fun selection of stories. I’m especially loving the new vintage episode releases, as I haven’t heard so many of these before. Please keep it up- It’s greatly appreciated!

I’ve been a faithful ClassicTales Podcast listener for many years. The selections are often surprising and rare, but always welcome. I’ve discovered a love of classic literature through the podcast. But now there are even more reasons to listen and to support the podcast! Vintage episodes! I’m loving them so much! And “The Closed Cabinet” with a guest narrator is absolutely gripping! Bravo, Mr. Harrison!

I love the podcast and especially love the vintage episodes. Nice to revisit old favorites!

I just came across your podcast and it surprised me as much as a rainbow. This evening, i listened to the Wagner Matinee short story by Willa Cather (note: it rhymes with "rather", not a hard "a"). I was moved to tears. Last night, I listened to Freeman's short story about the rose bush . Thank you!

Loving the vintage podcasts! Keep it up!!!!

Love the vintage episodes.

This podcast has gotten only better with years. Amazing narration and amazing literature choices. Thank you for your work, Mr. Harrison. And thank you for bringing back the vintage episodes. It’s a wonderful reminder of when I just discovered the podcast and was bingeing through them to catch-up.

This would be an excellent podcast if the narrator didn’t dwell so much on dismal violence. What’s with this? You want grisly misery…open your front door…it’s everywhere!

The talent is definitely there — except for a penchant toward effeminate narration. The politically-correct commentary on the stories got tiresome - especially when it’s completely off base. The self-aggrandizement and personal sharing got tiresome. It’s too bad, because the selection of stories was very good. To be a good reader/narrator one needs to melt into the background, and let the great literature speak for itself, and JUST READ THE STORY. Unsubscribed.

Thanks for all the hidden gems. Im searching through all the p.g. Wodehouse and you do a great job with all the characters. It’s my favorite.

The show is ok. Just the stories and no personal moments please. They ruin the whole podcast.

You bring PG Wodehouse’s excellent work to life. I think he would be pleased

BJ reads with a rich fatherly or TV talking-head voice. He changes pitch and sometimes accent slightly with character speech but doesn’t attempt voice-acting. He uses a definite cadence: whether or not appropriate to the prose, sentences are broken into 3-8 word phrases or clusters with acceleration for a few syllables, elongated last syllable and a pause. I wish he’d make more exceptions to this pattern but that’s my only complaint. No midstream commercials! Some justified begging ahead of story is all. BJ’s podcast is worthy of listen and support.

I love everything about this podcast. You have a great voice that is pleasant to listen too. The voice is everything in reading. I’d suggest not trying to do a French accent for Poirot because it is difficult for most people to “hold” a good accent throughout the story. Your German sounding Poirot is sometimes difficult to listen to. My personal vote would be to just use your normal voice for Poirot. The only reason I gave the show 4, rather than 5 stars is that some of your book choices have 12 parts. If a listener isn’t interested in the book or author, it takes 3 entire months to get a different story. I can’t wait until the current 12 part Zane Grey story is finished!!

I’ve listened since Podcast Episode 12 many years ago. Throughout this audio journey, I’ve always found BJ’s voice acting/narration absolutely remarkable! Classic Tales from Episode 12 to now and all audiobooks BJ has done from the many Alan Quartermain adventures to Tarzan to Huck Finn to AC Doyle/Sherlock Holmes to Hunchback of Notre Dame as well as many others are all on my several iPod Classics 160GB and played daily. A Classic w/ a mono earplug, overnight, BJ stories cover, disguises the outrageous constant noise/ringing of tinnitis and helps me sleep.

BJ is the best, and his selections are so broad and varied. I read some of the one- and two- star reviews, and listeners seem to forget that he does this for FREE. If you don’t like his commentary or occasional stories about himself, go find another podcast with such a talented narrator doing such diverse stories, without a hundred ads per episode. Good luck. I’ll stay right here, thank you!

Who could possibly give you a 1 ⭐️ rating?! So I scrolled down, and sure enough, it’s the “anti-woke snowflakes” and others too stupid to FF to the beginning of the story. Your generosity is unparalleled, your talent unmatched. You are a delight! A treasure! Haters gonna hate babe… keep up the excellent work. One tiny request, could we have more westerns please? We love you❣️❣️❣️

Why does Poirot have a German accent!?

Material selection is good in this series of mostly Victorian short readings, but the voice is wonderful. How about adding some older fantasy such as Marie de France or Chaucer or Malory?

This show is the best of the best of the best. It is such a gift to your listeners and I hope you know how truly, truly grateful we are. I have lupus, and sometimes I am just stuck in the bed. Your podcast has helped me get through some really tough times.

I discovered this podcast late in the pandemic, and am so glad I did. It has allowed me to listen to stories I may never have come across otherwise, and the telling is superb. I listen to these on walks, while at home, or when I need a relaxing (or spooky!) tale. Great variety, including humor, murder mysteries, and more. Have greatly appreciated them - thank you!

I used to listen to this podcast all the time, til BJ Harrison started apologizing for words written hundreds of years or even decades ago. We all understand the world was different and views have changed. No need to “prepare” and warn us that we might hear something ‘offensive.’

Brilliant storytelling!

I have been listening to this podcast since it started and it never gets old. BJ Harrison has gotten better since he started! His voice, impersonations, accents and characterizations and amazing ability to keep them all together is remarkable. It makes listening an engaging experience not a passive one. I would never have read these books if it weren’t for this podcast and I’ve come to appreciate so many new authors and stories I never heard of; I listen because I know he will do a great job. He did some of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Mars Series and they too were amazing. If you check out the reviews of the book done based on audio books on the Nerdist you hear them complain about the narration of the one they listened to and how it impacted their experience. Had they listened to BJ’s version they would have felt differently. I listened to all 4 back to back over 3 weeks, they were that good. I don’t write reviews often but have too for this show, It’s THAT good! Please do yourself a favor, listen and subscribe. His financial supporter program is great and an inexpensive way to support his work and get more than you give back.

Just started listening to this podcast after having saved it months ago. Treasure Island was great! I always enjoyed the book and the old movie. BJ did a phenomenal job making the characters come to life in my mind’s eye. Thank you!

I am listening to the Treasure Island podcast and am thoroughly enjoying it. The narrator is excellent. The story is captivating to begin with and the narrator brings it to life. Thank you for this.

I enjoy every single podcast, but i needed to say how wonderful it was to hear a great reading of Treasure Island, a book I haven't read in ages. Thanks!

I really appreciate the time y’all put into your work here. Of course after learning that you censored yourselves over the book: Armageddon 2419 with Buck Rodgers I just had to give it a listen and see just what all the fuss was about. (It’s Very prescient by the way) I guess a reading of Huckleberry Finn is Verbotton? Thanks for all your work!!

Really enjoy listening to this narration of one of my favorite novels. Very well done!

I love the stories but couldn’t care less about your “personal life.” People don’t come to this podcast for that. Start another podcast if you feel it is necessary. Also, there is no need to apologize for these great works of art by authors who more important than you. PLUS, their writing gives us glimpses of history that some can learn from. You insult people’s intelligence when you feel you have to in your condescending manner. But as I said before, the stories are great and you do a very good job with THAT part. Get rid of the 3-4 “jerk” mi Ute’s at the beginning.

BJ is a superb narrator, and he chooses excellent tales.

I’ve been listening since the first episode.Not every episode is my favorite but I’m generally very pleased with the product.I enjoy the personal stories and I feel like I’ve gotten to know BJ over the years. I’m appalled at the nasty review someone gave a few weeks ago and all I can say is if you’re that miserable to put a review of that nature on this site, I’m really sorry for you. This is a phenomenal free podcast and if for some reason that doesn’t float your boat you should probably just keep it to yourself

I have enjoyed your podcast for well over a decade and have love every minute. I have listened on so many podcast players, apps, devices over the years. I have left so many positive reviews over the years. Now after an accident nearly thirty years ago I have been placed on disability and it has not been good. I struggle with pain and depression and take medication daily. The depression is sometimes worse than the pain. But I continue to listen to you and it brings me some joy and happiness listening to all those wonderful stories. Even your personal stories about your family and your activities with school I find interesting. It gives me some positive things to think about.

First I must admit that I like the personal stories and was poking around trying to figure out why they ceased. I’m guessing the host took the criticisms to heart and eliminated them. That’s too bad. I thought it was a nice touch. I was happy to contribute to his son’s student residency recently. Secondly, I think BJ Harrison is a gifted voice actor who brings books and short stories alive. He’s got an arsenal of voices and accents which are top notch. Classic Tales is a go to for me.

Found this gem today and am now addicted!

Wonderful narration, please ignore the negativity on a couple of reviews. You do an awesome job, keep up the great work!

BJ Harrison is a pro at what he does. Some of the stories are just ok, but when he gets his hands on a really good story he can have you on the edge of your seat and waiting impatiently for the next chapter to be released.

Since the podcast began, BJ Harrison has been a good storyteller and narrator — and I think in the past couple of years he has risen to another level. He is truly at the top of the narration game (if there is such a thing). Voice, pacing, emotion — he’s got it down. Some books that I have had to plod through as a reader are completely enjoyable when he reads them for me. Gatsby is a good example — I couldn’t get to the end of that book without skipping over chunks of text, so I missed some plot points. Hearing it was a completely different story. Likewise “The Great God Pan.” I’ve never made my way to the end of that story as a reader — it is heavy lifting for someone who naturally skims and reads things fast. But hearing him tell it, it is a great story. This is an older one, but if you get a chance to hear him read “The Happy Prince” by Oscar Wilde (It’s in the archives somewhere), you are in for a treat.

These are the worst part of this podcast. if I choose one of the stories I have to skip ahead to avoid this. If people really want to hear about your life maybe make separate entries. I must miss the PC narratives, so I guess that is another reason to skip the intro. I don’t listen to all the choices but enjoy one every so often…but please consider reducing the opening, it is sort of cringe.

Excellent quality of production with a wide variety of content to keep you interested. It tends toward the macabre from time to time, especially in the fall around Halloween, but if you want to get a wide look at literature in audio format, it’s hard to beat.