Langdon and Eden tackle linear time and how World War II, and its retellings, fit in with our cultural memories of the past. Then, they dive into the fragmented, gorgeous, and shocking Unknown Language, a tale shifting rapidly between alternative presents, futures, holy wars, love, and violence, all through the inimitable and kaleidoscopic lens of Hildegard von Bingen, Huw Lemmey, Bhanu Kapil and Alice Spawls! Music played: Tides From Nebula - Fearflood https://tidesfromnebulaofficial.bandcamp.com/track/fearflood-2 Pale - Almost Transparent Blue https://paleofband.bandcamp.com/track/almost-transparent-blue

Kazuo Ishiguro season keeps on truckin' into 2005's Never Let Me Go, perhaps his most widely read and equally widely loved novels. There are brain-donor clones drawing dank pepes, Ruth being a total b-word and -even though we are 100% anti-worldbuilding- some bad worldbuilding. Music by Skagos: https://skagos.bandcamp.com/album/chariot-sun-blazing

ENTER THE WIZARD'S TOWER with this episode in which we stretch the concept of a 'text' to breaking point by talking about a film- specifically 2024's The Substance. Joined by comedian Jake Flores and Tender Subject host Kayte Terry, will we survive the intricate mind maze of feminist discourse?

This time around, Langdon and Eden dive into the question of geo-political narratives and the stories we tell ourselves, specifically about the "American Century" and it's dubious decline. Then, they dive deep into Oh God, the Sun Goes, the debut novel by David Connor. State of mind, Pynchon-esque misconnections, hazy realities, and the power of the desert, combine into a flawed but highly moving book! Music played: Caelestra - Lightbringer https://caelestra.bandcamp.com/track/lightbringer The Great Old Ones - Me, the Dreamer https://thegreatoldonessom.bandcamp.com/track/me-the-dreamer

In the early 20th century Henri Bergson was a rockstar of philosophy, able to pack lecture halls and create the first ever traffic jam on Broadway. Today he's virtually unknown in the English-speaking world, and Dr. Emily Herring is aiming to fix that with her book Herald of a Restless World. Music by Lowen: https://lowen.bandcamp.com/album/do-not-go-to-war-with-the-demons-of-mazandaran-2

John Trefry's Massive is 764 pages of the densest post-everything literary noise possible, a monolith that you don't read, you move through. There's absolutely no way to describe it and it's brilliant. Buy it from Asterism here: https://asterismbooks.com/product/massive Music by Sunrise Patriot Motion: https://sunrisepatriotmotion.bandcamp.com/album/my-father-took-me-hunting-in-the-snow

This time around, Gareth and Eden are joined by Marijam Did to discuss her excellent research into the revolutionary and reactionary potentials, avenues, and practices of the video games industry! The three talk the COVID boom and bust, professionalizing esports as a practice of capitalism, and games under future communism! Music played: Solar Wimp - Enhanced Iconography https://solarwimp.bandcamp.com/track/enhanced-iconography

CW FOR BASICALLY EVERYTHING Charlene Elsby is one of the most renowned literary horror writers out there right now, and her two most recent books, the novel Violent Faculties (Clash Books) and short story collection (House of Vlad) are both incredibly intelligent and utterly horrific. Music by Gutless: https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/high-impact-violence

This time around, Eden is joined by Kyle Winkler, author of Grasshands and, more recently, the cosmic horror, punk-infused, metal-slinging tale of a biker who refuses to go quietly. They talk violence, revenge, metal as aesthetics, and more! Music played: Dance with the Dead - Neon Cross https://dancewiththedead.bandcamp.com/track/neon-cross-feat-brandon-saller

Talia Lavin joins us to talk about her new book Wild Faith, on how the Christian Right is taking over America, but also raw milk, cruelty, demons and more. Also we declare Beef on another podcast. Music by MINTTT The power of Christ compels you to join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DeathSentence