Christians Reading Classics

Nadya Williams talks with Geoffrey Kurtz about Ignazio Silone’s Bread and Wine, exploring its political, spiritual, and literary significance. They discuss what makes a classic, Silone’s shift from communism to a more open-ended moral vision, the novel’s blend of politics and clandestine faith, and the transformation of its protagonist, Pietro Spina, through solitude and friendship. Chapters 00:02 – Silone’s author’s note and the idea of rewriting one’s “soul book” 02:29 – Defining a classic: resonance across time and place 04:24 – Silone’s life, politics, and exile 08:54 – From political collapse to becoming a novelist 11:00 – The 1936 and 1955 editions: from didactic to subtle 13:13 – Setting and premise of Bread and Wine 14:35 – Disguise, solitude, and unexpected friendships 17:45 – Growth in character and writing craft 18:10 – How much is Spina autobiographical? 21:51 – Political and religious dimensions rooted in the same moral impulse 24:53 – Don Benedetto as a bridge between action and contemplation 29:33 – God’s clandestine presence in the novel 31:08 – Solitude as the seed of transformation 35:48 – Loneliness, community, and the longing for safe relationships 36:30 – Reception in Italy, the U.S., and among leftists and Catholics 43:50 – Politics bounded by love and human dignity 47:26 – Kurtz’s intellectual journey and democratic socialism 50:55 – On “democratic socialist” vs. “social democrat” 51:38 – Current reading: Wendell Berry and parallels to Silone 54:21 – A classic Kurtz wishes he’d written Links Geoffrey Kurtz, "How to Be a Liberal-Socialist-Conservative" Geoffrey Kurtz, Jean Jaurès: The Inner Life of Social Democracy

Nadya Williams is joined by Ivana Greco and Dixie Dillon-Lane to explore Winnie-the-Pooh as a children’s classic. They discuss what makes a book timeless, how Milne’s humor and characterization capture the child’s mind, the role of family lore and shared cultural touchstones, and how to navigate classics that don’t click with every child. Chapters 00:03 – Origins of Winnie-the-Pooh and its enduring appeal 03:19 – Defining a “classic” in children’s literature 07:11 – Story plots, character development, and the child’s perspective 09:16 – Humor, literal thinking, and being “in on the joke” 13:10 – Power dynamics, Christopher Robin, and imaginative escape 15:32 – Re-reading classics through different life stages 17:05 – Songs, riddles, and the child’s interior life 21:25 – The instinctive music of childhood 24:55 – Character archetypes: Eeyore, Tigger, and self-recognition 29:46 – Literary touchstones in family culture 33:43 – When classics don’t click with your kids 41:22 – Encouraging literacy in homeschooling 47:12 – Adapting teaching methods to your child and yourself 49:51 – Avoiding power struggles in reading instruction 54:20 – Recognizing slow, steady progress 58:00 – Classics the guests wish they had written 01:07:18 – Books that become part of who we are Links Alexander Lenard, Winnie Ille Pu (the Latin translation) Ivana D. Greco, "The Home Front" Dixie Dillon Lane, "The Hollow"

Nadya Williams interviews Dr. Timothy Larsen on G.K. Chesterton’s The Everlasting Man, exploring its enduring insights on humanity, Christ, and the joy of Christian apologetics. They discuss what makes a “classic,” Chesterton’s playful paradoxes, his cultural context after WWI, and how to approach the book today. Key Idea: Chesterton re-narrates the human story and the gospel with wit, joy, and surprise, inviting readers to see faith anew. Chapters: 00:00 – Chesterton’s Introduction: Seeing Home for the First Time 02:20 – What Makes a Classic Book? 05:15 – Chesterton’s Life and Many Roles 07:30 – Why The Everlasting Man Was Written 10:05 – Part One: The Creature Called Man 12:30 – Part Two: The Man Called Christ 14:40 – Paradox and Wit in Apologetics 19:00 – Chesterton as an “Earthy” Christian 21:30 – Reception and Legacy 26:30 – Advice for First-Time Readers 29:40 – Larsen’s Upcoming Book on WWI Clergy 33:15 – The Classic Larsen Wishes He’d Written 35:20 – Nadia’s Choice of a Classic Links: Timothy Larsen, "The Full-Bodied Apologist" Timothy Larsen, "When H. G. Wells Found God" Forthcoming book: The Fires of Moloch: Anglican Clergymen in the Furnace of World War One

Welcome to Christians Reading Classics! A new Mere Orthodoxy podcast hosted Nadya Williams. In this introductory episode, you'll learn what this podcast is all about and what you can look forward to. If you love classic books, or are even interested in learning more about them, you're in the right place.