Michael Brooks

StoryTorch Podcast

Arts EN ↓ 10 episodes

Stories illuminate truths about the world and our place in it. In this podcast, two professors at a liberal arts college explore the craft, symbolism, and meanings in various contemporary short stories.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.spreaker.com

Author

Michael Brooks

Episodes

10 – On David Lawrence Morse's “The Great Fish” 17.04.2025 1:07:42

On this episode, we explore David Lawrence Morse's story “The Great Fish,” which was originally published in One Story under the title “Conceived.” It later appared in Morse's collection The Book of Disbelieving , which Sarabande Books published in 2023.

09 – On Brady Udall's “Midnight Raid” 31.03.2025 59:57

On this episode, we explore Brady Udall's story “Midnight Raid.” This story originally appeared in Gentlemen's Quarterly before it was published by Norton as a part of a collection called Letting Loose the Hounds in 1997.

08 – On Jhumpa Lahiri's “A Real Durwan” 13.03.2025 1:13:33

On this episode, we explore Jhumpa Lahiri's story “A Real Durwan,” which originally appeared in The Harvard Review before Mariner published it as a part of a collection called Interpreter of Maladies in 1999. Music credits: “Art from Darkness” by M Brooks, © Michael Brooks 2021

07 – On Michael X. Wang's “Further News of Defeat” with Dr. Gloria Tseng 02.03.2025 1:07:52

On this episode, we're joined by historian Dr. Gloria Tseng as we explore Michael X. Wang's story “Further News of Defeat.” This story originally appeared in the winter 2015 issue of New England Review before Autumn House Press published it as a part of a collection sharing the same title in 2020. Music credits: “Art from Darkness” by M Brooks, © Michael Brooks 2021

06 – On Stuart Dybek's “Song” 24.02.2025 1:06:04

On this episode, we explore Stuart Dybek's story “Song,” which originally appeared in Harper's Magazine (October 2003) before Picador published it as part of the collection I Sailed with Magellan in that same year. Music credits: “Art from Darkness” by M Brooks, © Michael Brooks 2021

05 – On Flannery O'Connor's “The Life You Save May Be Your Own” 17.02.2025 1:00:16

On this episode, we explore Flannery O'Connor's short story “The Life You Save May Be Your Own,” which originally appeared in her collection A Good Man is Hard to Find, which Harcourt, Brace, and Company published in 1955. Music credits: “Art from Darkness” by M Brooks, © Michael Brooks 2021

04 – On J. D. Salinger's “The Laughing Man” 10.02.2025 1:24:00

On this episode, we explore J. D. Salinger's story “The Laughing Man,” which originally appeared in The New Yorker on March 19, 1949 before Little, Brown & Company published it as part of a collection called Nine Stories in 1953. Music credits: “Art from Darkness” by M Brooks, © Michael Brooks 2021

03 – On Karen Russell's “St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves” 07.02.2025 1:11:41

On this episode, we explore Karen Russell's story “St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves,” which originally appeared in Granta before Knopf published it as the title story in a 2006 collection. Vintage also published the collection in 2007. Music credits: “Art from Darkness” by M Brooks, © Michael Brooks 2021

02 – On Anthony Doerr's “The Shell Collector” 26.01.2025 1:06:38

On this episode, we explore Anthony Doerr's story “The Shell Collector,” which originally appeared in The Chicago Review before Scribner published it as the title story in a 2002 collection. Music credits: “Art from Darkness” by M Brooks, © Michael Brooks 2021

01 – On Benjamin Percy's “Refresh, Refresh” 26.01.2025 58:53

On this pilot episode, we discuss our aims for StoryTorch and explore Benjamin Percy's story “Refresh, Refresh,” which originally appeared in the The Paris Review before GrayWolf Press published it as the title story in 2007 collection. Music credits: “Art from Darkness” by M Brooks, © Michael Brooks 2021