Episode 187: The Affirmation of Imagination: On John Crowley's 'Little, Big,' with Erik Davis
Mar 26, 2025
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Erik Davis, a writer and scholar known for his insights on technology, culture, and the occult, joins the discussion to unravel the intricate tapestry of John Crowley's 'Little, Big.' They dive into its enchanting blend of reality and fantasy, exploring personal connections and emotional resonances that resonate deep within the reader. The talk illuminates the novel's themes of destiny, magic, and the interplay between memory and imagination, while also highlighting how narrative shapes our perceptions and experiences of the world.
The podcast explores Erik Davis's profound influence on cultural phenomena and literature, emphasizing his unique approach to connecting ideas through imagination.
The nonlinear narrative structure of John Crowley's 'Little, Big' juxtaposes idyllic fantasy with gritty reality, challenging perceptions of personal and societal decline.
Edgewood serves as a symbolic architectural embodiment of complex family dynamics and the interplay between imagination and reality in Crowley's narrative.
Deep dives
The Influence of Eric Davis
The discussion highlights the profound impact of Eric Davis as a renowned intellectual in the Weirdosphere. His contributions extend beyond music journalism to that of a pioneering podcaster and author, with an articulate exploration of cultural phenomena. The hosts emphasize how Davis approaches literature with a unique understanding, comparing his significance to a musical note that resonates differently yet harmoniously with various ideas. This episode aims to dig deeper into Davis's insights, specifically focusing on his personal connection to John Crowley's 'Little Big' and its formative role in his intellectual journey.
Overview of 'Little Big'
John Crowley's 'Little Big' is presented as a complex narrative interweaving the lives of the Drinkwater family and their interactions with fairies. The plot follows architect John Drinkwater and his mystical wife, Violet Ramble, as they establish their home, Edgewood, at the heart of a mystical reality. The story shifts focus to Smokey Barnable, a man caught in the family’s enigmatic world, introducing rituals that hint at larger unexplainable stories. The hosts convey the novel's essence as a rich tapestry of familial bonds, secrets, and destinies, raising existential questions about the characters’ roles in the overarching narrative.
The Evolving Narrative Structure
The podcast intricately analyzes the nonlinear narrative structure of 'Little Big,' transitioning from the idyllic setting of Edgewood to the gritty reality of the city. As the narrative evolves, it introduces the character of Russell Eigenblick, an authoritarian figure suggesting a parallel to contemporary political landscapes. The hosts discuss how Crowley successfully captures the dichotomy between a seemingly serene existence and the tumultuous backdrop of history. This sudden shift from fantasy to reality serves to challenge readers' perceptions, suggesting the inescapable nature of societal decline interwoven with personal narratives.
Architecture as a Symbol of Multidimensionality
Edgewood is portrayed as a pivotal element in 'Little Big,' symbolizing more than just a physical structure but an architectural embodiment of dreams, secrets, and family history. The podcast reveals how Crowley utilizes the house's multiple dimensions to reflect the complex interplay of imagination and reality. It acts as both a refuge for the Drinkwater clan and a threshold to deeper mystical realms, showcasing the fluidity between the tangible and the intangible. The exploration of architectural themes reveals the importance of perspective as characters navigate their lives within the layers of this singular space.
The Ethical Dimensions of Imagination
A critical theme addressed in the podcast is the ethical implications of interactions with the fantastical and imaginal worlds depicted in Crowley's work. The discussion of characters recognizing the wills and desires of fairies challenges reductive views of nature and magic, emphasizing the moral responsibilities inherent in such relationships. This perspective urges a deeper reflection on how imagination shapes reality, ultimately creating connections between the mundane and the mystical. The hosts posit that acknowledging the existence of otherness in narrative fosters an ethical engagement with our understanding of reality, moving beyond mere fantasy to a more profound recognition of interconnectedness.
John Crowley’s Little, Big is, at once, a family saga, a fairy tale, an occult thriller, an idyll, a dystopia, as well as a meditation on myth and history, the real and the fantasy, memory and imagination. Little, Big is also a book that JF and Phil have been planning to discuss for as long as Weird Studies has existed. In this episode, they are joined by writer and scholar Erik Davis to explore the enduring charms and mysteries of one of the greatest—and most underrated—American novels of the late twentieth century.
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