Hermitix

Join host and German literature professor Stephen Dowden as they delve into the dark world of Thomas Bernhard. They discuss Bernhard's enigmatic writings, his criticism of Austrian culture, the writer's purpose and influence, existential questions and anger in his work, the theme of failure and loss of confidence, and Bernhard's unique perspective on stability and respite.

Steven Moore, an American author and literary critic, discusses the work of novelist William Gaddis. Topics include the connection between Gaddis and James Joyce, their first meeting, the unfinished book Agape, Gaddis' view on success and audience, the absent father theme, recommended starting points for new readers, and Gaddis' association with postmodernism.

Eric Adler, Professor of Classics at the University of Maryland, discusses the friendship and intellectual relationship between Irving Babbitt and Paul Elmer More. They explore their differing views on religion, the concept of new humanism, and the evolution of their relationship over time. They also delve into the absence of virtue in contemporary society and the legacy of these two important intellectual figures.

Dr. Gottfried M. Heuer, Jungian Training-psychoanalyst, -supervisor and teacher, Neo-Reichian body-psychotherapist and trainer for nearly 50 years in West London; lectures, group-work and teaching in many European countries, North, Middle and South America, Africa and Australia; independent scholar with some 70 papers published in 7 languages. His books include 10 Otto Gross Congress–proceedings (LiteraturWissenschaft.de); Sacral Revolution (Routledge 2010); Sexual Revolutions (Routledge 2011; Russian edition 2017); and Freud's 'Outstanding' Colleague/Jung's 'Twin Brother': The Suppressed Psychoanalytic and Political Significance of Otto Gross (Routledge 2017); and he is also a published graphic artist, photographer, sculptor and poet: ‘The Gathering of the Rebel Angels: With Otto Gross to Moscow, 1917 – 2017 – 2117’. (Poem), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwYXRHHMOxg ‘When I Entered God, My Vision Became Like His’ (Rabia), (artworks) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fha4jiiN2MI and ‘Present at the Creation: Conception and Birth of a poem, ‘The Star of Redemption’ https://youtu.be/GhN4rHxlQow?si=Yn5QsRL3PX6xqh_J In this episode we discuss his book 'Freud's 'Outstanding Colleague' / Jung's 'Twin Brother': The Suppressed Psychoanalytic and Political Significance of Otto Gross Freud's 'Outstanding Colleague' / Jung's 'Twin Brother': The Suppressed Psychoanalytic and Political Significance of Otto Gross' Book link: https://www.routledge.com/Freuds-Outstanding-ColleagueJungs-Twin-Brother-The-suppressed-psychoanalytic/Heuer/p/book/9781138899698 --- Become part of the Hermitix community: Hermitix Twitter - https://twitter.com/Hermitixpodcast Support Hermitix: Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/hermitix Donations: - https://www.paypal.me/hermitixpod Hermitix Merchandise - http://teespring.com/stores/hermitix-2 Bitcoin Donation Address: 3LAGEKBXEuE2pgc4oubExGTWtrKPuXDDLK Ethereum Donation Address: 0x31e2a4a31B8563B8d238eC086daE9B75a00D9E74

Roberto Bolaño, the book author, joins the podcast to discuss his renowned novel '2666'. They explore its themes of fate, crimes against women, and the presence of stereotypes. They also compare the themes of violence and redemption in '2666' with Cormac McCarthy's 'Blood Meridian'. The podcast reflects on the disquieting atmosphere and lack of conclusions in the book, questioning why readers are drawn to its disturbing subject matter.

Mark Blacklock, Lecturer at Birkbeck College, discusses J.G. Ballard's blurring of fact and fiction, the disturbing nature of his writing, his analysis of the future, and insights into his nonfiction writings.

Lars Iyer, a British novelist and philosopher of Indian/Danish parentage, discusses his recently published theory fiction novel exploring the philosophy of Simone Vay and academic life in Britain. Topics covered include the role of British comedy in addressing suffering, the marginalization of academic spaces, criticism and support for a house helping people with addiction, the essence of love and vulnerability in human relationships, and the accessibility and emotional impact of the book.

Peder Anker is a historian of environmental sciences, specializing in the history of ecology and ecological architecture and design. Anker is currently a Professor of History of Science at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University. Book PDF Link: https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/7070AC66999C30D35EAE07F0A290963A/9781108477567AR.pdf/The_Power_of_the_Periphery.pdf?event-type=FTLA --- Become part of the Hermitix community: Hermitix Twitter - https://twitter.com/Hermitixpodcast Support Hermitix: Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/hermitix Donations: - https://www.paypal.me/hermitixpod Hermitix Merchandise - http://teespring.com/stores/hermitix-2 Bitcoin Donation Address: 3LAGEKBXEuE2pgc4oubExGTWtrKPuXDDLK Ethereum Donation Address: 0x31e2a4a31B8563B8d238eC086daE9B75a00D9E74

Damian Catani, senior lecturer in French at Birkbeck, University of London, discusses his book on the controversial author Louis-Ferdinand Céline. They explore his contradictory persona, the impact of war on his writing, the challenge of untethering antisemitism from Nazism, and the discovery of his unpublished novels. Catani also shares his current projects and future plans.

Roe Fremstedal, Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, discusses topics such as despair, morality, God's role, and the connection to Peter Vesser Zappa. They explore the importance of hope and charity in religious ethics, the dilemma of going too far or doing nothing, and the relationship between despair, personal identity, and religion. Kierkegaard's views on morality, atheism, and the relevance of his book are also discussed.