The Foxed Page

NO READING REQUIRED! Hawthorne's 1850 classic is the epitome of high school books that are wasted on high school students. This thing is a MASTERPIECE. Listen in as Kimberly situates it historically, talks about the framing device, digs deep into the radical FEMINISM and of course covers symbolism (did you also write your term paper on symbolism??). She wraps up the lecture by leaning into her ong...

NO SPOILERS! With humor as a lens, Kimberly dives in to all the ways this bestseller functions so well. You'll learn how to think about humor more generally, while seeing all the ways that the best humor can really shape a novel. Join Kimberly for an exploration of one of the strongest elements of this smart, engaging surprisingly philosophical book!

Kimberly was honestly kind of shocked by how iconoclastic, gorgeous and important this novel feels. Whether it's a women's-studies-seminar favorite or new to you, indulge in this exploration of one woman's fascinating experience of society, domesticity, maternity and PASSION in late-1800s New Orleans.

NO READING REQUIRED! As soon as Kimberly dove back in to No Country for Old Men, she knew she needed to parse what makes McCarthy SO GOOD. This exploration hits on all the ways that reading McCarthy is a master class in all elements of fiction:  textured narrative voices, description of violence, sympathy for complex characters, dark humor, and others--not to mention gorgeous prose.

NO READING REQUIRED! Whether this doorstop is an old favorite--or something you NEVER plan to read--treat yourself to Kimberly's take on why this classic of all classics is worth your next 40 minutes!

NO READING REQUIRED! Fitzgerald's genius might very well be wasted on the youth. Even if you haven't re-read this classic since you were 16, delving into for an hour is a revelation. Kimberly breaks down the innovative narrative stance, the plot-heavy structure and some master-class motif building--all while reveling in (and also subtly criticizing) this modernist MASTERPIECE.

NO READING REQUIRED! Tune in as we unpack the many ways that Ernaux celebrates the age gap relationship. The French master offers philosophical explanations for why older people get with younger ones, incisive analysis of social norms and all the ways in which these liaisons can be empowering--all, of course, while treating us to her stark, arresting, unique prose. Listen in to one woman's fascina...

Tune in for Kimberly's breakdown of how PLAYWORLD really succeeds--and the ways she sees it falling short. With its marketing materials really pushing its 36-year-old-woman/14-year-old-boy sexualized relationship, the novel provides a fascinating look at sex writing and how the Mrs.-Robinson trope manifests itself in 2025. Join Kimberly for this second of four lectures--the only novel of the four...

With good sex writing, and TWO age-gap relationships, INTERMEZZO offers Kimberly all sorts of ways to think about female sexual desire. Listen in to hear what Kimberly LOVES about this latest Rooney, and where she thinks the novel fell SHORT. The first of a series of four lectures that will explore Adam Ross's PLAYWORLD, Annie Ernaux's THE YOUNG MAN and Kate Chopin's THE AWAKENING, Kimberly's deep...

White published the four-part volume in 1938 and 1958--all in the shadow of WWII. If he only knew how well the chaos of that historical moment would mirror 2025! This 700-page novel is haunting, intelligent, absorbing and charming. NO NEED TO READ the book. Just treat yourself to Kimberly's wander through it now!

In this special lecture honoring a story from one of the BEST BOOKS OF THE CENTURY (according to the New York Times), Kimberly proves that it's FASCINATING to parse a five-and-a-half page story for almost an hour. In fact, there was a lot MORE she wanted to discuss. This deep dive, though, will give you an even better sense of just WHY Berlin's work is so so good.

Join Kimberly as she discusses historical fiction as a genre--before digging in to how the structure, the pacing, the figurative language and the prose make this novel work so well. (Plus, as usual, a few quibbles.)

NO READING REQUIRED! Kimberly's deep dive works well before or after reading this gem. The novel's unique reading experience derives in part from the incredible photographs throughout--combined, of course, with insanely great prose. Make sure you're getting as much as possible out of this unusual, beautiful, haunting novel. Listen in now!

Kimberly LOVES this classic of all classics--largely held as the first modern novel. Cervantes's 1605 masterpiece is not only colorful, hilarious, smart and unique but it includes all the elements that would go on to shape the modern novel. Let Kimberly tell you all about these crucial elements while giving you a good taste of the Spaniard's amazing prose. She also argues why this hour-long lectur...

Good books provide inspiration, compassion, consolation, edification...and ESCAPE. If you're a little weary of the world right now, dig into the very smart pages of THE ANTHROPOLOGISTS. This slim novel's unique, destabilizing premise could feel gimmicky in lesser hands, but Savas manages to intrigue, all while throwing into relief the basic desires of every reader. Kimberly found SO MUCH depth to...

When The NY Times named Alderton's GOOD MATERIAL one of the best 10 books of 2024, Kimberly knew it was time to dig in. Listen as she deepens your understanding of the male narrative voice, the excellent figurative language, the supposed "double ending" and Alderton's CRUCIAL SUBVERSION of the marriage plot. Tune in to Kimberly's argument for why this (anti)-rom-com (?!) BELONGS in the company of...

Braiding Sweetgrass is one of those books we should be going back to again and again. If you don't quite have the time to do that, Kimberly will give you a hand. Want to feel like you could maybe help make the world a slightly better place in some small way?? Want to feel better about the environment?? Want to feel inspired and informed--with sometimes RADICAL new ways to conceptualize the world?...

Kimberly will share whether you should—or should not—dig into Dubliners. She’ll treat you to a snippet of the prose to give you a sense of the work, but for a deeper analysis, check out the lecture.

Kimberly will share whether you should—or should not—dig into Milkman. She’ll treat you to a snippet of the prose to give you a sense, but for deeper analysis, check out the lecture.

One of the more rewarding books I've ever read, Milkman is dark, dense, funny and AMAZING. Join me for a more profound understanding of the novel’s political importance, its incredibly effective humor and other elements that make this book feel so IMPORTANT.

Kimberly will share whether you should—or should not—dig into Foster. She’ll treat you to a snippet of the prose to give you a sense, but for a deeper analysis, check out the lecture.

This very brief book is a masterclass of the every aspect of fiction. In part one, I argue why you should read it, take a quick dip into Keegan’s bio., and discuss the title and opening pages.

Kimberly had never read Besson--and didn't know Ringwald was translating!--but she loved this brief, beautiful novel. Listen in as she touches on the very un-american phenomenon of autofiction, before diving into the fascinating structural choices, the beauty of the spare prose and why Besson is SO GOOD AT SEX WRITING. She'll even offer up interesting translation differences and the novel's detail...

Often considered Baldwin's masterpiece, this slim, somewhat autobiographical novel is SO GOOD. Listen in now to hear how the structure, the narrative voice and the final chapter make this an incredible, important read.