Home Podcasts Harmer John; An Unworldly Story
Harmer John; An Unworldly Story

Harmer John; An Unworldly Story

Hugh Walpole 2 Episodes Aug 25, 2026

Hjalmar Johanson, a Swedish bodybuilder, moves to the fictional English cathedral town of Polchester, where he is renamed Harmer John by the locals. He opens a gymnasium and dreams of transforming the town's slums into healthier spaces, but faces opposition from slumlords and townspeople driven by xenophobia and greed. The novel explores themes of innocence versus worldly corruption, drawing parallels to Francis of Assisi and the pursuit of an idealistic vision.

Episodes

Lolly Willowes or, the loving huntsman-Sylvia Townsend Warner
Lolly Willowes or, the loving huntsman-Sylvia Townsend Warner Aug 25, 2026 17143 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
Making Home Profitable-Kate Saint Maur
Making Home Profitable-Kate Saint Maur Aug 24, 2026 21088 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
Notes of a Camp Follower on the Western Front-E. W. Hornung
Notes of a Camp Follower on the Western Front-E. W. Hornung Aug 23, 2026 20035 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
Mary Cary, Frequently Martha-Kate Langley Bosher
Mary Cary, Frequently Martha-Kate Langley Bosher Aug 22, 2026 13873 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
Rangy Pete-Guy Morton
Rangy Pete-Guy Morton Aug 21, 2026 34811 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
Ghost Sonata-August Strindberg
Ghost Sonata-August Strindberg Aug 20, 2026 5046 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
John Dough and the Cherub-L. Frank Baum
John Dough and the Cherub-L. Frank Baum Aug 19, 2026 16058 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
Dream of Gerontius-John Henry Newman
Dream of Gerontius-John Henry Newman Aug 18, 2026 3355 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
Astrophel and Stella-Sir Philip Sidney
Astrophel and Stella-Sir Philip Sidney Aug 17, 2026 6054 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
Hymn Collection 001-Various
Hymn Collection 001-Various Aug 16, 2026 4264 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
Meredith Mystery-Natalie Sumner Lincoln
Meredith Mystery-Natalie Sumner Lincoln Aug 15, 2026 21326 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo
According to Promise, or The Lord’s Method of Dealing with His Chosen People-Charles H. Spurgeon
According to Promise, or The Lord’s Method of Dealing with His Chosen People-Charles H. Spurgeon Aug 11, 2026 16277 Hjalmar Johanson (novel, 1926) is a boyish unworldly Swedish body builder come to Walpole’s fictional cathedral town of Polchester. His name is “simplified” by the townsfolk to Harmer John. He is attracted to Polchester by the cathedral. He has a vision of transforming the town and its populace to a healthier and more beautiful state. He establishes a business, essentially a gymnasium, to help peo

Recommended