The Novel Tea

Neha and Shruti head to Colombia, delving into the world of Pablo Escobar and drug cartels as they discuss the second book of the season, Fruit of the Drunken Tree. We talk about the historical context in which this story is set while unpacking how the characters are affected by their sacrifices and the spaces they occupy. They also get into a discussion about the origins of the term ‘magical realism,’ and the questionable colonialist mindset that fuels the term’s use in today’s age.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.Links:Essay: What We Talk About When We Talk About Magical RealismShelf Discovery:Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas ContrerasShruti - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett; and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran FoerNeha - Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo*Content warning: sexual assault. Skip through 33:15-36:00 to skip this section Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Murmur of Bees is a lyrical novel set during the Mexican revolution about a special young boy and the family who adopts him. Neha and Shruti discuss themes of faith and wonder, good versus evil, and magic realism. They share what they loved about the book, while also touching on the importance of authorial intent, asking the question: is history still being written by the winners?If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.Shelf Discovery:The Murmur of Bees by Sofia SegoviaNeha - The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles; and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony DoerrShruti - Piranesi by Susanna Clarke; and Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finally, Shruti and Neha are answering all your burning questions! Listen in to find out more about us including the books we loved, books we hated, how we started this podcast, and (perhaps most importantly), the ultimate Harry Potter book ranking.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.Books Mentioned:Ready Player One by Ernest ClineThe Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkeinBreakfast at Tiffany's by Truman CapoteThe Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsThe Princess Bride by William GoldmanThe Harry Potter series by J.K. RowlingHoles by Louis SacharEragon by Christopher PaoliniAnxious People by Fredrik BackmanNormal People by Sally RooneyA Man Called Ove by Fredrik BackmanWar and Peace by Leo TolstoyThe Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo TolstoyWhen Breath Becomes Air by Paul KalinithiLonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryThe Devil in the White City by Erik Larson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shruti and Neha are traveling around the world! Through books, that is. In this episode we share our reading list, some important background for each of the books we’ve picked, and what we’re excited about for Season 2.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our last episode before our summer hiatus, Neha and Shruti zoom out to look at the big picture. We discuss some broader themes that crop up in all of the books, including the city vs. the country, movement, safety, and hope. We also talk about the theme of season one, The American Dream - where it came from, how it has evolved, and how it may represent something new for the 21st century.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.Books mentioned:The Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldDeath of a Salesman by Arthur MillerA Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty SmithHomegoing by Yaa GyasiLittle Fires Everywhere by Celeste NgLonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryAmericanah by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieThe Lincoln Highway by Amor TowlesThe House of Mirth by Edith WhartonValley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jazz, a lyrical and complex story about passion and fear in urban life, is one of Toni Morrison's most unique books. Neha and Shruti talk about violence and ambition as central themes, explore how Morrison draws on traditions of Black art and expression, and come away with more questions than answers.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.Links:Eight Works to Take in After or Alongside Toni Morrison's 'Jazz': New York Times articleCharacteristics of Negro Expression: 1934 essay by Zora Neale Hurston, African-American novelist and anthropologistShelf Discovery:Jazz by Toni MorrisonShruti - Disgrace by J. M. CoetzeeNeha - none Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle Zauner, known for Japanese Breakfast, discusses her memoir 'Crying in H Mart' with Shruti and Neha. They explore the mother-daughter relationship, Asian family dynamics, and the significance of food as a form of love.

After reading The Last White Man, Neha and Shruti had mixed feelings. In this episode, we discuss the captivating idea behind the book, its questionable execution, and different ways that authors can play with a novel's form.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.Shelf Discovery:The Last White Man by Mohsin HamidShruti - The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin HamidNeha - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We loved Passing so much that we had to do another episode. Shruti and Neha take a deep dive into the complicated relationship between Irene and Clare, discuss its parallels to Mean Girls, and ruminate some more on the book’s mysterious ending. We also discuss the 2021 Netflix movie adaptation.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti introduce their first book pair! Passing by Nella Larsen, and The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, published nearly 100 years apart, perfectly complement one another as they both revolve around themes of race, discrimination, identity, and belonging. We discuss similarities and differences between the characters and their choices, compare our reading experiences, and gush over the beautiful writing.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.Shelf DiscoveryPassing by Nella LarsenThe Vanishing Half by Brit BennettNeha - Quicksand by Nella Larsen; and A Woman is No Man by Etaf RumShruti - A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.