Podcast Introduction

"One of the things that sets apart Andre Norton for me is - I remember characters and places from Andre Norton stories better than from a lot of other writers. This is an interesting exercise when you read a short story. Ask yourself - what were the essential characteristics that the author got across VERY fast. How is it that some books go on for hundreds of pages, and you don’t take much away from them, but others can accomplish something unforgettable in under 50 pages?"
~ Kimberly Hatch Harrison
A female pilot on a spaceship with a car seated next to her

Socratica Reads Podcast

All Cats Are Gray

by Andre Norton

In this classic sci-fi short story, an outcast space pilot named Steena and her mysterious gray cat, Bat, embark on a salvage mission aboard the derelict ship The Empress of Mars. The pair, unnoticed by society, soon prove that knowledge and instinct, not appearances, determine survival. In a stark, indifferent universe, Norton weaves a tale of quiet determination and the sharpness of those who lurk on the fringes.
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“Even the shortest stories can create an indelible impression. I’ve never forgotten the character of Steena, and I’m glad I get to recreate her in my mind when I read this story. I never got to meet Andre Norton, but I’m glad I get to meet Andre Norton in her stories. I hope you pick up one of her books soon, and get to know this intriguing person.”

Kimberly Hatch Harrison

Anatomy, A Love Story

Set in 19th-century Edinburgh, Anatomy follows Hazel Sinnett, a young woman defying societal expectations to study medicine. Her path crosses with Jack Currer, a resurrectionist who supplies bodies for medical research, and the two form an unlikely partnership. As they delve deeper into the secrets of anatomy and the human body, they uncover chilling truths about the dead and the living.
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An eerie scene in 19th-century Edinburgh, showing a young woman in a dark Victorian medical study. She is standing next to an empty operating table reading a book, books and anatomical diagrams scattered around. The room is dimly lit by candlelight, casting long shadows. Outside, a foggy street can be seen through the window.