
Harmer John; An Unworldly Story
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

Notes of a Camp Follower on the Western Front-E. W. Hornung
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Prelude To Adventure-Hugh Walpole
"Prelude To Adventure" by Hugh Walpole invites listeners into a world brimming with anticipation and the thrill of new beginnings. This captivating narrative explores the essence of adventure and the transformative power of stepping into the unknown. Its timeless themes of courage, exploration, and the human spirit resonate deeply, reminding us of the importance of embracing life's journeys, both

Harmer John An Unworldly Story - Hugh Walpole - Part 2
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

Harmer John An Unworldly Story - Hugh Walpole - Part 1
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

Pride and Prejudice (version 6, dramatic reading)

Ancient Lives with Mary Beard

English Made Simple

Learn UK English By Podcast

The Healing Childhood Trauma Podcast

Stick to Football

Foundling | Tortoise Investigates

Frank Off The Radio: The Frank Skinner Podcast

Learning English from the News

Meet the Farmers

Sweet Nothings

They Tried To Kill Us Off... Podcast