Literary Ramblings

In this Bonus Short, Kevin shares his thoughts on Hanif Abdurraqib's There's Always This Year (2024). Kevin discusses Abdurraqib's ability to move us from one image to another and to carry us to unexpected places.

In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Ian McEwan's 2001 novel, Atonement. The novel is ranked 26th on the NYT's list of The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. We focus on the reliability of narration, the responsibility a person has for choices they make, the potential for forgiveness and atonement, the power of an author and much more...

In this Bonus Short, Wes shares his thoughts on William T Vollmann's Imperial (2009). While this work blends genres, it is primarily a work of nonfiction that explores history and sociopolical issues around the US/Mexico border.

In this Bonus Short, Joe shares his thoughts on Herman Melville's classic novel, Moby Dick. Joe discusses the novel's classic interpretation, how the 19th century whaling industry looks from today's environmental perspective and more...

In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Sherwood Anderson's 1919 collection of interconnected stories, Wineburg, Ohio. We focus on how this book influenced modernism and exposes the underbelly of small town life. We also touch on Anderson's themes of isolation, existential angst, how societal norms often stifle free expression and more.

In this Bonus Short, Kevin shares his thoughts on Powers' The Overstory and then adds some brief comments on Markley's The Deluge. Kevin considers how these books merge popular fiction and literary fiction, their attempts to merge message with story and much more.

In this Bonus Short, Wes shares his review of the German novel Bottom's Dream by Arno Schmidt. The novel was translated into English by John E. Woods in 2016. Wes discusses the unusual nature of this work, it's postmodern aspects, tips on how to work through it, how Schmidt is influenced by Joyce, and much more.

In this Bonus Short, Joe visits with James Thurber expert Steve Andersson. Joe and Steve offers a brief introduction to James Thurber including discussions around Thurber's writings and drawings, his time at The New Yorker, his friendship with E. B. White, his relationship with The Ohio State University, the mission of the Thurber House, and more.

In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Paul Auster's 1985-86 postmodern trilogy The New York Trilogy. We focus on the Auster's life and personal views, influences and literary allusions, what connects the three short novels, the Auster film Smoke, Auster's exploration of identity and more.

In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Flannery O'Connor's 1960 Southern Gothic novel The Violent Bear It Away. We focus on the O'Connor's life and personal views, the division between religion and secularism, what exactly is Southern Gothic literature, similarities to other novels, whether it is acceptable to separate the art from the artist, the Biblical references including an exploration of the title, and more.