

Edward Shanks, "The People of the Ruins" (MIT Press, 2024)
Aug 6, 2024
In this lively discussion, Edward Shanks shares insights about his novel, which imagines a neo-medieval future in England. He explores how humanity adapts after civilization collapses, while Jeremy Tuft, a physics instructor frozen in time, grapples with the failures of his era’s ideals. They dive into themes of trauma, identity, and technological regression, reflecting on how these elements shape both Shanks' work and contemporary society. The conversation is rich with literary analysis and provocative thoughts on societal change.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Exploring a Neo-Medieval Future in 'The People of the Ruins'
01:33 • 2min
Literary Complexities of a Post-War Novel
03:43 • 10min
Revisiting English Identity through Shanks
13:16 • 5min
The Literary Legacy of Edward Shanks
18:16 • 15min
Exploring Societal Changes Through Fiction
33:07 • 2min
Echoes of a Dystopian Future
35:22 • 23min