Book Spider

In this episode, we chat about Michael Chrichton's novel Sphere, which Hans claims is the only one of the popular novelist's books that has depth enough for an extended discussion.

In this episode, Chris, Hans, and I discuss Dana Spiotta's Eat the Document, a novel that tells the story of two activists through shifting experiences and time periods. Check it out.

In this episodes, Hans, Chris, and I discuss Keith Gessen's A Terrible Country, which is a novel that explores corruption in modern day Russia. Check it out.

In this episode, we discuss a novel that explores Nietzschean philosophy in the context of two Japanese schoolkids who are subjected to ruthless bullying.

In this episode, we discuss the classic novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Turns out, it's kind of problematic.

In this episode, we discuss William Shakespeare's Othello and refer to Paula Marantz Cohen's Of Human Kindness for critical context.

In this episode, Chris, Hans, and I discuss Pola Oloixarac's hilarious Mona, a satire of academia as well as a comment on the spiritual condition of woman. Note to listeners: I mistakenly refer to Oloixarac as Peruvian in this episode, when she is in fact Argentine.

In this episode, Chris, Hans, and I trash a terrible book that has few redeeming qualities.

In this episode, Chris, Hans, and I discuss the classic novel Invisible Man, which examines black identity, the sense of invisibility, and individuality in the fifties in the United States.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss a trilogy of novellas that deals with questions of identity and loss of self.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss Cold Millions, a novel about the Wobblie movement in the early twentieth century in Spokane, Washington.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss the classic of British Literature, Jane Eyre.

Hans, Chris, and I take a look at a strange work of fiction called a "diptych" by it's author. The book is split into two parts that don't have any plot connections, except that maybe they feature the same main character. Instead of plot unity, the book features thematic unity, as well as some very clever and humorous writing.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss a super interesting novel that examines ordinary people's pettiness in the face of suffering.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss Flannery O'Connor's short novel Wiseblood, in which WWII veteran Hazel Motes comes home to preach the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ Without Christ.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss John Steinbeck's East of Eden, a generational novel that uses the Cain and Abel story as an allegory to discuss familial love and duty.

In this episode, Chris, Hans, and I discuss a strange, puzzling novel called The Golem. It's about a guy who mistakenly puts on another man's hat and then dreams the other man's life. There's also maybe a golem stalking the Jewish ghetto.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss two sci-fi short stories collections, both by Ted Chiang. We touch on a number of topics, including determinism, stories as thought experiments, and the craft of using first-person narration to drive character.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss the quite massive Pynchon novel Against the Day. At times hilarious, at times confusing, this novel is definitely an experience.

In this episode, Chris, Hans, and I discuss a really fantastic novel about trans experience, Small Beauty. With a very quiet tone, the novel explores the life of Mei, a Chinese-Canadian trans woman, in the aftermath of a family death.

In this interview, Hans and I chat with Adi Callai, author of XDB's newest publication, The Sodomites.

In this episode, Hans and Chris discuss the extremely disturbing first novel of Iain Banks, The Wasp Factory. I listen in the background for a while before chiming in with thoughts that break the whole thing open.

In this episode, Chris and I geek out a little over The Odyssey, a fantastic epic poem from the ancient world. Hans feels lost.

In this episode, Chris, Hans, and I tackle a classic: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It's a fantastic novel of ideas that asks questions about moral responsibility and evil. 

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss the hilarious novel Myra Breckinridge, by Gore Vidal, and its lackluster sequel, Myron.