Book Spider

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.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost, which gives an account of the apocrypha surrounding the Christian creation story.

In this special episode, Hans, Chris, and I chat with Daryl Farmer on the topic of his short story collection Where We Land, which examines relationships and death in the context of the American West.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss the strange and disturbing 1Q84, a huge novel by renowned magical realist Haruki Murakami.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss The French Lieutenant's Woman, a metafictional novel that explores sexuality and class in Victorian England.

In this episode, Chris, Hans, and I discuss Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, and Hans shakes my faith in her ability to critique her cultural.

In this special episode, the XDB editorial team discusses an album by the experimental rock band Sun City Girls, called Dante's Disneyland Inferno. Most of the focus is on the lyrics, but some musical analysis is offered as well.

In this episode, Hans, Chris, and I discuss Camus' most intriguing, but also most baffling, novel, The Fall.