The Bookening

In our new mini-series, learn to throw around words like "deconstruction", "post-colonialism", "semiotics", etc. with the best of them. Terms like these are easy to mock and equally easy to venerate. They're also easy to be intimidated by. Is there anything good that's come out of academic literary theory? What do all those fancy schmancy words mean anyway? Our heroes begin a journey through the history of literary criticism. By the end of it you will be able to talk about all of this stuff. First up, a brief history of everything leading up to the twentieth century.   ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In which we conclude our discussion of The Lord of the Rings by talking about Book 6, the final part of The Return of the King and of the series as a whole. Tolkien manages to not kill off any of the major good guys ... and yet there's a real price to be paid for standing up to the ultimate evil. Our heroes talk a lot about that, and everything that happens after the ring is destroyed, and why it had to happen the way it did. Also they give summary thoughts on the series, on favorite characters, favorite books, things like that. Yay!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Is book 5 of Lord of the Rings actually the worst of the lot (on a gradation of greatness, obviously)? Our heroes argue about that, and revise some of their previous opinions on Eowyn, and talk about what makes a great inspiring speech when you're leading men into battle, and why Aragorn's speech in the movie version was stupid. AND MORE.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Our heroes dig into one of the great novels of the 21st century. Or is it? Listen to find out.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Are you ready for Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguru, one of the novels that appears on everyone's list of the best of the 21st century (usually in 1st place, or at least in the top 10)? Our heroes dive in, providing much needed context on Ishiguru and the type of fiction that this is. Trying not to say too much here, spoilers definitely included in the episode.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Did Shakespeare actually have a relatively small vocabulary? Yes he did, and we talk about why that matters in our third episode on the The War of the Roses plays. We also talk about why Shakespeare seemed to have such a chip on his shoulder about women in power, when he was in fact writing plays for a Queen who was very much in power. What was the deal with that? And how did our heroes like Series 2 of The Hollow Crown (hint: it was no series 1). ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What exactly was the War of the Roses? Who was on what side? Why? What happened? The Bookening attempts to make sense of all this complicated English history before they read the rest of the William Shakespeare's plays on the subject.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What is it that makes Shakespeare so darn great? It's time for The Bookening to discuss the immortal bard again! So our heroes are talking about William Shakespeare and providing some context for The Hollow Crown, which is the BBC adaptation of Henry VI, Parts 1, 2, and 3. Plus Richard III. We'll be back next week with more historical context for The War of the Roses.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Was J.R.R. Tolkien a racist? The answer is not a simple yes or no. So the Bookening is devoting an entire episode to the issue. Listen to it. It's Thought Christmas, y'all! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Who is the greatest monster in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien? What makes a good monster anyway? What does Gollum have to teach us about addiction? Is Gollum an entirely original character or does he have his roots in mythology somewhere? The Bookening answers all those questions and more as it considers the Frodo and Sam section of The Two Towers.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★