The History of Literature
694 Apocalyptic Literature (with Dorian Lynskey) | My Last Book with Charles Baxter
Apr 10, 2025
Dorian Lynskey, author of 'Everything Must Go,' dives into the cultural significance of apocalyptic literature and films, exploring humanity's obsession with doomsday prophecies. He discusses the evolution of these narratives from divine intervention to human responsibility and highlights how fears of catastrophe reflect contemporary anxieties. Additionally, Charles Baxter shares his choice for the last book he would ever read, tying in humor amidst existential themes. Together, they illuminate how storytelling can help us confront our fears.
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Quick takeaways
- Dorian Lynskey's exploration of apocalyptic literature reveals how such narratives mirror humanity's deep-seated anxieties about mortality and societal collapse.
- The discussion highlights the cyclical nature of crisis in apocalyptic themes, showing how contemporary fears echo historical anxieties across cultures and eras.
Deep dives
The Exploration of Apocalypse
The discussion emphasizes the literary exploration of apocalypse themes by examining the works of various authors who have depicted the end of the world in diverse ways. Dorian Linsky's book, 'Everything Must Go,' delves into the reasons behind humanity's fascination with apocalyptic narratives, highlighting that such narratives allow for exploration of societal issues and personal fears. The conversation reveals that humans often project their anxieties about mortality and societal collapse onto larger narratives about the end of the world. Additionally, it notes that this theme appears across cultures and periods, suggesting it is a fundamental aspect of human psychology.
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