This week, the pair sits down for their discussion of one of the most famous dystopia novels ever written. Nineteen Eighty-Four introduced phrases and concepts such as Big Brother, doublespeak, and more to our culture, and is a depressingly relevant today as it was when it was written. Josh challenges Dietrich to answer why this book, with its flaws in dialogue, characters, and more works, whereas a book like Atlas Shrugged doesn't. Dietrich talks about why this book seems to be independent of the time it was written, speaking more to human nature than the culture of the fifties. Josh reluctantly reflects on how applicable Orwell's lessons seem to be in our current political climate. In addition, Josh delights in a book that does for zombies what I Am Legend did for vampires, Dietrich dives deep into the 2016 election with Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign, and they discuss a book by Nick Cutter that fails to succeed despite some excellent moments. Finally, the pair talk about the challenges faced by the latest seasons of Fargo and The Americans, especially in contrast to the brilliant work happening over on Better Call Saul. You can send questions or comments to [email protected].

Following up last week's discussion of audio storytelling, Josh and Dietrich continue to explore different ways of storytelling by exploring interactive fiction, and the ways that new forms of media are exploring narratives, particularly video games. They discuss the brilliant game based on "The Walking Dead" franchise, and how your agency in the story gives it a weight wholly absent from the television show or graphic novel. Dietrich discusses the quietly moving "Firewatch", which allows solitude and reflective conversations piece together a tragic, and surprisingly personal story. Josh looks at the stark and haunting "Papers, Please", a puzzle game that manages to put you in impossible positions making terrible choices. Finally, they look at a game that's not quite so dark, and sees you exploring the world in "80 Days". While not books, these games are at the forefront of narrative exploration and construction, and all are wholeheartedly recommended. In addition, Dietrich reads the second book in a science fiction series with echos of "The Martian" and John Scalzi, Josh discusses an analysis of one of the seminal dystopian novels in history, and they wrap up with a discussion of a unique theater experience, an enraging adaptation of Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale", and finally the newest season of "Fargo". You can send questions or comments to [email protected].

This week, Josh and Dietrich sit down to discuss postapocalyptic fiction. They begin by highlighting the critical differences between postapocalyptic and dystopian fiction, separating novels like 1984 from I Am Legend. Josh discusses the importance of recognizing that postapocalyptic books still need to embrace a narrative arc, and that failing to do so can result in a meandering, pointless misery fest (cough cough The Walking Dead cough). Dietrich looks at quieter scenarios of the end of the world, including the almost quaint community at the heart of Alas, Babylon, and the slow, melancholy apocalypse of Age of Miracles. Josh looks at stories that manage to embrace the horror of the end of the world without losing a sense of focus and home, including The Road and The Dog Stars. Before that, Dietrich joins the chorus of readers and critics hailing George Saunders' Lincoln in the Bardo as a masterpiece, Josh revisits the most popular young adult series of all time with the book that signaled a shift to something special, and they wrap up with discussions of the best and worst of the Netflix Marvel shows, a podcast about someone you haven't thought about in years, and continue to be dazzled by the surreal, inexplicably brilliant show Legion. You can send questions or comments to [email protected].

This week, Josh and Dietrich finally tackle Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead. The two discuss the similarities that this alternate history book has with earlier favorites Big Machine and Lovecraft Country, and how Whitehead uses fictional portrayals of life in the slave south to illustrate the wide range of racism and all its insidious forms. Josh raves about the way the book shifts between subtlety and horror, and Dietrich talks about the fact that a single section set in South Carolina was enough to carry the book. They look at the parts of this book that work, and the parts that fall a bit flat, and discuss ways different authors have used fantasy, horror, and alternate history to highlight race relations in the United States. Before that, Josh raves about what may be one of his favorite new books of all time, Dietrich dives into a beautiful short story collection that inspired an extraordinary science fiction film, and they wrap up discussing the genre and mind-bending experience that has been the new FX series Legion. You can send questions and comments to [email protected].