Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast

Far from too soon, we rendezvous with Stray, in following Frank's happenstance ramblings among the rebels of northern Mexico. Similarly, across the sea, we catch up with Reef, who runs into Ruperta, and each scene lays our hosts ready for such lovely conversation about the characters and lush surroundings... What more could you want? Next episode: Ch. 48-49 (661-693) If you like what we're doing a...

After these last few episodes, it's starting to feel like these guys are the ones with their heads full of gas! At least this time they made it through more than the one chapter, but, crud, The Slow and the Stupefied is on later, might have to cut it off if they spend too much longer on this 'historical context'. Fewer mathematicians, more jelly doughnuts, puh-leeze! Why do I bother even complaini...

At last, somewhere rational, even on a map, Göttingen! What a lovely place to set the scene for romance for Kit, and to finally get to know the real star of the show, Yashmeen. Oh, o-oh. Never mind. Is it all just history and math, now? Wow. Great job, with the "podcast dedicated to books" there. Next episode: Ch. 43-44 (p. 605-637) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please...

Visit Heather Parry's Substack (general observations on eggs): https://substack.com/@heatherparry If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salmons-run/id6789264747 As...

Next episode: Pages 698-808 (ending at “...his face unspeakable”) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠ mappingthezonepod@gmail.com ⁠ Bluesky: https://...

That—over there! Is it... the Q weapon? Wait, what's it do, anyway? What has the Hanseatic League got to do with a 20-sided die now? Where is Dally? Hold it, who is she kissing? Ugh, my head. Pairing recommendation: an NSAID Next episode: Ch. 42-43 (p. 589-615) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to up...

We like to talk, so we thought we'd record ourselves yapping about the Christopher Nolan adaptation of The Odyssey (and adaptations in general). If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone As always, thanks...

While the lines have been set since the first pages of this novel, it seems some of our hosts feel it's only recently fully caught wind in its sails, and the lot of them seem pleased as punch. What that means for you, dear listener, is plenty of history, of course! Really, what would you do without us? Next episode: Ch. 40-41 (p. 557-588) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show,...

Another month means another 100ish page section of Infinite Jest! This month features uncomfortable hugs, uncomfortable drugs, Randy Lenz being the absolute worst, Michael Pemulis being close to the absolute worst, and more backstory than you can shake a large wooden spoon ideal for eating granola with at. Next episode: Pages 601 - 698 (ending at “She could barely stand to think about them, even a...

For the first time, listen to the crew of your fair show abdicate their preferred fine-toothed approach! Is it fair? You be the judge! Are you offended? Tell us! Engage! Engage like your lives depend on it! But worry not, kind audience, for the "Stupendica" and its ports of call are so historically salient to satisfy any apparently-endless craving for contextualization and discussion. Bon appetit!...

If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Films/TV: Burn These Books ( https://www.youtube.com/@BurnThese...

After some much-needed psychic rehabilitation, the whole crew is back together, and like Lindsay and the other Chums reuniting, we're diving in deep straight off the bat. Things do get twisted, perhaps even time itself, with a tinker like Merle at Candlebrow up to his elbows in the stuff. Please have your textbooks with you. Next episode: Ch. 34-35 (p. 460-488) If you like what we're doing and wan...

How is a book this long, still this good, this far in? Gately gets a job, Marathe and Steeply converse and wax philosophical, and a young JOI helps his dad move a mattress. Put your empty glass of peppered tomato juice down somewhere and join us in this latest episode. Next episode: Pages 503-601 (ending at “Orin’s smile wasn’t as cool as he though as he told the seated figure that that was a matt...

Next episode: Pages 410 - 503 (ending at “This was how I first became interested in the possibilities of annulation.”) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check...

Finally wrapping up our hiatus episodes, Will is back, and he's stirring the pot again. Inside, listeners will find a lyrical brief on billy woods & Kenny Segal's Hiding Places, making this a meaningful step in the evolution of our show, as it lasts longer than the subject matter. The better thing to do may be to just listen to the album. You know you want to.​ If you like what we're doing and...

If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠ mappingthezonepod@gmail.com ⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitt...

On this week's bonus episode, Luke discusses the short stories, novels, and life of R.A. Lafferty. Give it a listen? Yeah, you should. If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone You can also subscribe to th...

In the first of our series of bonus episodes in-between parts 2 and 3 of Against the Day, we talk with Sara Marcus about her 2010 book about the Riot Grrrl movement. We discuss the bands, the music, the zines, and the revolution itself. If you're looking to hear Riot Grrrl music, I've compiled a playlist (see below) of bands and artists who were either part of the movement or who I feel are carryi...

It's a beautifully tragic series of scenes we get with this section of the book. While this is some of the best writing in the novel, thus far, it's also tremendously upsetting and hard to get through. There's still plenty of humor and weirdness to be found, so join us as we talk about the ups ad downs of this motley cast of characters. If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, pl...

If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone You can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get early access to our Infinite Jest series as well as any other bonus episodes/series we do down the road...

It's been nearly a year and a half since we started covering Against the Day and we've finally come to the end of Part 2, Iceland Spar! With us for this wrap-up is friend of the show (and basically the fifth host) Brett Biebel who chats with us about what makes Against the Day such an incredible work of fiction and what we love so much about it (so far). If you like what we're doing and want to su...

The story begins to take more shape, the characters are becoming more dynamic, and the world is making as much sense as it can in this section of the book. Join us as we talk about the importance of Marathe's conversation with Steeply, Americanisms, the haunting backstory of Himself, and so much more. Next episode: Pages 306 - 410 If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please c...

If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone You can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get early access to our Infinite Jest series as well as any other bonus episodes/series we do down the road...

Time: var. moments of social cavitation Location: var. locales of New Old Mexico, esp. northern Subject: Quiselgur, El Chavalito "Frank Traverse" Concerns: - rigid and constricted manifolds - succulent flora - turnabout Recommendations: - Continue observation - Maintain separation from subject "QR" - Apply steady pressure along lines of cleavage If you like what we're doing and want to support the...

If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Interview with Michael Silverblatt: David Foster Wallace on Boo...