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.

In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes and Kevin discuss Henry James' celebrated work of early modernism, The Golden Bowl. We focus on James' family background, speculations about his lifetime bachelorhood, the challenges of this particular work, Freudian interpretations of James' work, our overall impressions of this novel and more.

In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Vladimir Nabokov's celebrated satire of the family chronicle Ada or Ardor . We touch on how the novel is complicated, deals with some uncomfortable topics, plays with language, and overall returns whatever is invested.

In this episode, Joe, Scott and Kevin (recorded pre-Wes) discuss the 1931 novel, Sanctuary, by William Faulkner. We discuss the style and themes, misogyny and racism, the difference between art and entertainment, film versions of the book, a bit about the author, some plot points, and published critical commentary. There are spoilers!

In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Rudolph Wurlitzer's acid western The Drop Edge of Yonder. We touch on how the novel is connected to the films Dead Man and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, what makes something an acid western, the difference between pop art and serious fiction and why grittiness is generally popular.

In this episode, we discuss the 2023 novel, Prophet Song by Paul Lynch. There is some context and background info, but it is by no means comprehensive discussion - simply a conversation amongst friends.

There are spoilers - so, if you haven’t read the novel, and would prefer not to hear plot points, go read the book, and then press play.

In this episode, we discuss the 1931 novel, Sanctuary, by William Faulkner. There is some context and background info, but it is by no means comprehensive- simply a conversation amongst friends.

There are spoilers- so, if you haven’t read the novel, and would prefer not to hear plot points, pause this now, go read the book, and then press play.