The History of Literature

Novelist Adelle Waldman discusses the impact of Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle' and her new novel set in a big box store. The episode explores how novelists can effect social change and the challenges they face in the 21st century.

University of Oxford professor Sophie Ratcliffe explores love and loss in literature, discussing childhood memories, creative criticism, grief, and timeless themes of 19th-century literature. The episode delves into the emotional landscapes shaped by storytelling and the transformative power of imagination.

Biographer Boel Westin discusses the multifaceted genius of Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins. They explore Jansson's unconventional lifestyle, artistic pursuits, and the deep layers in the Moomin stories. Delving into Jansson's impact as a Bohemian artist and her unique approach to life and love.

Author Rolf Hellebust discusses the golden age of Russian literature, exploring its origins, unique identity, and role in shaping national identity. The conversation delves into the deep sadness as a theme, the marketplace's influence on greatness, and the special connection between astrophysics and Russian literature.

Born more than two centuries ago, Ralph Waldo Emerson has long been recognized as a giant of nineteenth-century American letters. But what can he offer readers today? In this episode, Jacke talks to author James Marcus, author of the new book Glad to the Brink of Fear: A Portrait of Ralph Waldo Emerson, which reconsiders Emerson's reputation as a "starry-eyed prophet of self-reliance" in favor of a more complicated figure who spent a lifetime wrestling with injustice, philosophy, art, desire, and suffering. Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at www.thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We humans imprint ourselves on our surroundings - and they, in turn, have the power to affect us. In this episode, Jacke talks to Gareth Russell (The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of History at Hampton Court) about the building that Thomas Hardy famously called a "Spellbound Palace" in one of his finest poems. We'll hear about the building's history and why it holds a special place in literary history, including the planning of the King James Bible and as a site for early Shakespeare performances. PLUS Jess Cotton (John Ashbery: A Critical Life) selects her choice for the last book she will ever read.Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at www.thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margot Livesey and host dissect Thomas Hardy's novels, exploring his mistakes and poignant poetry. They discuss Hardy's personal life, focusing on his relationship with his wife Emma and how her death inspired his greatest works. The episode delves into character development, family history, and the supernatural in literature.

Phil Jones, a Johnsonian expert, joins the host to celebrate the 600th episode. They delve into Samuel Johnson's literary contributions and the complexities of his character. The podcast also explores diverse perspectives on Johnson's influence and the enriching experience of reading aloud as a parent.

While avant-garde filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky might be most famous for the wildly ambitious version of Dune that never got made - in spite of having actors and artists like Orson Welles, Salvador Dalí, Mick Jagger, Pink Floyd, H.R. Giger, and Mœbius attached to the project - he was also the creative force behind several dynamic and influential films. In this episode, William Egginton (The Rigor of Angels: Borges, Kant, Heisenberg, and the Ultimate Nature of Reality) returns to discuss his new book, Alejandro Jodorowsky: Filmmaker and Philosopher. PLUS David Sterling Brown (Shakespeare's White Others) stops by to discuss his choice for the last book he will ever read.Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at www.thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charmian Kittredge London (1871-1955) may be best known as the wife of the famous American writer Jack London, but she was herself a literary trailblazer - and the epitome of a modern woman. In this episode, Jacke talks to biographer Iris Jamahl Dunkle (Charmian Kittredge London: Trailblazer, Author, Adventurer) about the intriguing life and inspirational career of an underappreciated literary figure. PLUS Mike Palindrome, President of the Literature Supporters Club, makes the case for the greatness of Christopher Isherwood, and Duncan Yoon (China in Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century African Literature) stops by to discuss his choice for the last book he will ever read.Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at www.thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices