The Paris Review

Ottessa Moshfegh reads her essay “The Smoker,” about renovating a house soaked in nicotine—and a haunting encounter with its former owner.This episode was produced by John DeLore and Helena de Groot, and was mixed by Helena de Groot. Our theme song for this series is “Bryant Park and Ride,” composed and performed by David Cieri.Moshfegh's essay can be found online at:https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2023/02/07/the-smoker/Subscribe to The Paris Review at www.theparisreview.org/subscribe.

“Personals” is a new audio series from The Paris Review, featuring writers reading first-person essays. Featuring essays from Ottessa Moshfegh, Mihret Sibhat, Joseph Earl Thomas, Lisa Carver, and J.D. Daniels. The series is produced by Sophie Haigney, Lori Dorr, Olivia Kan-Sperling, John DeLore, and Helena de Groot.Many thanks to our sponsor: MUBI. MUBI is the curated streaming service dedicated to championing great cinema. Get 30 days free at M-U-B-I.com/theparisreview.

Explore themes of souls, memories, and self-reflection in a collection of stories following Azrael, the angel of death. Reflect on life, change, and philosophical dialogues while delving into the concept of transcendence and the enigmatic journey of the soul. Follow characters grappling with the cycle of death and regeneration, culminating in a moving conversation about burial wishes and a shared vision.

In this episode, the story revolves around office conspiracy theories and a white supremacist hacker, creating a tense and mysterious atmosphere. The narrative explores relationships and struggles in a communal living space, with hints of ominous undertones and impending danger. The episode also delves into emotional turmoil and dream-like experiences, keeping listeners intrigued throughout.

A story about the aftermath of a tragic accident and the struggles of a teenager returning to school. Delving into the mysterious past of Foley's Pond and the evolution of a once hidden spot into a manicured park.

Japanese author Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's 1910 literary debut, 'The Victim' is explored in this podcast episode. The story delves into the art of tattooing and follows the life of a renowned painter turned tattoo artist. It explores the infatuation of a man with a mysterious woman in a palanquin and a confrontation of paintings that reveal a girl's true nature and future.

Join Sean Thor Conroe on a captivating journey across the United States in 'The Walk Book'. Experience intense hiking, rain-soaked field recordings, encounters with nature, kind strangers, and the importance of finding the right direction. Discover the challenges faced, including stomach problems and unexpected encounters, leading to a challenging time setting up camp in the rain and hail. Reflect on the importance of taking responsibility for one's own journey, the use of headphones during walks, and the intrigue of mysterious sounds in the canal water. Encounter turtles, striking conversations, and a moment when a pocket Bible is burned along the canal.

Olga Tokarczuk, Nobel Prize-winning Polish writer, discusses the souls of animals, discovering feminism, and her home in Krajanów where she lived near translators of William Blake.

“We needed erotic touch to tell us what we were.” Robert Glück reads from About Ed, a memoir about his relationship with his former partner Ed Aulerich-Sugai. The performance is paired with excerpts from his Art of Fiction interview with Lucy Ives. This episode was produced by Helena de Groot and John DeLore, and was mixed and sound-designed by Helena de Groot. Our theme song this season is “Shadow,” composed and performed by Ernst Reijseger. Additional Links: https://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/8016/the-art-of-fiction-no-260-robert-gluck https://theparisreview.org/miscellaneous/7896/about-ed-robert-gluck Subscribe to the Paris Review

“Nothing reifies a romance like proximate disaster.” Seated at her kitchen table, Jean Garnett reads her essay “Scenes from an Open Marriage” and chats with the Review’s deputy editor, Lidija Haas, and senior producer of the podcast, Helena de Groot. This episode was produced, sound-designed, and mixed by Helena de Groot. Our theme song this season is “Shadow,” composed and performed by Ernst Reijseger. Additional Links: theparisreview.org/blog/2022/06/29/scenes-from-an-open-marriage/ Subscribe to the Paris Review