Unburied Books (Dylan Cuellar, Kassia Oset)
Explore every episode of Unburied Books
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Nov 2022 | A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes | 00:46:07 | |
Dylan and Kassia's 'innocent voyage' begins! We discuss our first of many NYRB Classics: Richard Hughes' A High Wind in Jamaica, a book about a group of children taken aboard a pirate ship. | |||
| 13 Dec 2022 | Jakob von Gunten by Robert Walser | 00:41:54 | |
Attention, students! Today's lesson will cover Jakob von Gunten, a book that purports to be the diary of a pupil at a mysterious school for servants. It was written by Swiss flaneur Robert Walser, a man with an episodic life if there ever was one. Don your wool coat and prepare to discuss Nietszche! But whatever you do, don't mention Kafka. | |||
| 27 Dec 2022 | Lolly Willowes with Simon Thomas | 01:08:08 | |
This week we discuss Sylvia Townsend Warner's Lolly Willowes. The illustrious Simon Thomas, our first-ever guest, helps us understand how the 1920s trend for the fantastic helped produce this weird, wonderful book about a spinster aunt who sells her soul to Satan. But is it satire? And is it really a feminist manifesto? We tackle these and other pertinent questions while having a laugh along the way. Butter your villager-shaped scones, sit back and enjoy the broomstick ride. | |||
| 10 Jan 2023 | My Father and Myself with Vivian Gornick | 00:36:57 | |
Writer and critic Vivian Gornick joins us to discuss My Father and Myself, a memoir written by J. R. Ackerley. We explore the mysteries of family life, the search for "the Ideal Friend" and the ethics of writing about relatives. | |||
| 24 Jan 2023 | An Ermine in Czernopol with Alina Stefanescu | 01:23:32 | |
Writer and translator Alina Stefanescu joins us to discuss An Ermine in Czernopol, a humorous and deadly serious novel written by Gregor von Rezzori and translated by Philip Boehm. In this multilayered discussion, we seek the ghosts of Chernivtsi, a city in present-day Ukraine, and probe the meaning of honor and belonging in light of creeping fascism and anti-Semitism. Listeners unfamiliar with the plot may want to wait until they've read the book to tune in. Learn more about Alina's work at https://www.alinastefanescuwriter.com. To purchase books we've covered and browse some of Dylan & Kassia's favorites, please visit our digital bookshop at https://bookshop.org/shop/unburiedbooks. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 07 Feb 2023 | Peach Blossom Paradise with Canaan Morse | 01:25:46 | |
Translator and poet Canaan Morse joins us to discuss his translation of Peach Blossom Paradise, a Chinese historical novel written by Ge Fei. In this conversation, we unpack the book's relationship to utopia, revolution, and Communist history. We also learn more about Canaan's background and the publication process at NYRB Classics. Listeners unfamiliar with the plot may want to wait until they've read the book to tune in. Books and authors (and songs!) mentioned: To purchase books we've covered and browse some of Dylan & Kassia's favorites, please visit our digital bookshop at https://bookshop.org/shop/unburiedbooks. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 21 Feb 2023 | Short Letter, Long Farewell with Joshua Jones | 01:13:53 | |
Writer and artist Joshua Jones joins us to discuss Peter Handke's Short Letter, Long Farewell. We disassemble the machinery of American mythmaking, drift through the empty avenues of modern alienation, and wonder why Europeans are so weird about the Land of the Free. If you're anti-spoiler, we recommend saving this episode until you've had a chance to read the book. More about our guest: Joshua Jones is a queer, autistic writer and artist from South Wales, now residing in Cardiff. He is the Director of Dyddiau Du, a DIY community library and art/literature space in Cardiff. He released a collaborative pamphlet of cut-up poetry and art with Caitlin Flood-Molyneux in 2022, and his debut short story collection, Local Fires, will be published by Parthian Books, September 2023. References: Dubliners by James Joyce To purchase books we've covered and browse some of Dylan & Kassia's favorites, please visit our digital bookshop at https://bookshop.org/shop/unburiedbooks. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 28 Feb 2023 | A Belated Introduction | 00:30:12 | |
In this bonus episode, we explain how the podcast got started, detail our plan to tackle the collection, and describe our personal taste in books. Once Kassia started listing her favorite NYRB books it was impossible to get her to stop. Hopefully the run of this podcast will be equally protracted. References: To purchase books we've covered and browse some of Dylan & Kassia's favorites, please visit our digital bookshop at https://bookshop.org/shop/unburiedbooks. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 07 Mar 2023 | Chess Story by Stefan Zweig | 00:55:17 | |
Dylan and Kassia unpack Stefan Zweig's Chess Story translated from German by Joel Rotenberg. They toy with some chess pieces, discuss the psychological effects of fascism, and heap praise on this thrilling novella. References: To purchase books we've covered and browse some of Dylan & Kassia's favorites, please visit our digital bookshop at https://bookshop.org/shop/unburiedbooks. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 21 Mar 2023 | In the Café of Lost Youth with Adam Morgan | 01:04:46 | |
Critic and journalist Adam Morgan joins us to talk about In the Cafe of Lost Youth written by Patrick Modiano and translated by Chris Clarke. We discuss the title's double meaning, recall the joys and sorrows of our own nocturnal wanderings, and nominate this book for sexiest NYRB Classic of all time. Also, we owe a massive thank you to John Hoekstra for composing our new theme music. Read more about Adam Morgan's work here: https://adam-stephen-morgan.com/ References: To purchase books covered on the show, please visit our digital bookshop at https://bookshop.org/shop/unburiedbooks. Buying them here helps to support the podcast. | |||
| 04 Apr 2023 | Turtle Diary with Ana Gavrilovska | 00:58:07 | |
Writer Ana Gavrilovska joins us to talk about Turtle Diary written by Russell Hoban. We discuss middle age, loneliness, romance, Godlessness, and, of course, the symbolic resonance of turtles. References: To purchase books covered on the show, please visit our digital bookshop at https://bookshop.org/shop/unburiedbooks. Buying them here helps to support the podcast. | |||
| 18 Apr 2023 | A School for Fools with José Vergara | 00:57:35 | |
Scholar José Vergara joins the show to talk about A School for Fools written by Sasha Sokolov and translated from Russian by Alexander Boguslawski. Enroll in a fabulous world where the dead are alive, language changes forms, minds split, and love flowers. Read our guest's article on A School for Fools here and more about his work here. References: To purchase books covered on the show, please visit our digital bookshop. Buying them here helps to support the podcast. | |||
| 02 May 2023 | In a Lonely Place with Farran Smith Nehme | 00:52:17 | |
Film critic Farran Smith Nehme joins us to discuss In a Lonely Place written by Dorothy B. Hughes and adapted into a movie by Nicholas Ray. We talk about the book's unique approach to suspense, the film's relocation of the characters from the margins of Hollywood to the center, and some of our guest's favorite noirs. Listeners unfamiliar with the plot may want to wait until they've read the book (and watched the movie) to tune in. Check out Farran's Sight and Sound list here. As promised, you can view Dylan's Ray ranking here and Kassia's top 100 here.
To purchase books we've covered, please visit our digital bookshop. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 16 May 2023 | Stalingrad with Antony Beevor | 01:05:07 | |
Historian Antony Beevor joins us to discuss Stalingrad written by Vasily Grossman and translated from Russian by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler. We talk about Grossman's observational powers, the boundaries between history and literature, and the context surrounding the book's narrative. Listeners unfamiliar with the plot may want to wait until they've read the book to tune in. Read more about our guest's work here. References: To purchase books we've covered, please visit our digital bookshop. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 30 May 2023 | History of the NYRB Classics with Edwin Frank | 00:48:06 | |
Edwin Frank, editorial director of the NYRB Classics, joins us to discuss the evolution of the series. We learn how the books are selected, how the project has grown, and whether or not there was a secret plan all along. Endless thanks to John Hoekstra, who composed our theme music. References: To purchase books we've covered, please visit our digital bookshop. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 13 Jun 2023 | Mary Olivier: A Life with Nancy Pearl | 01:06:06 | |
Librarian, author, and critic Nancy Pearl joins us to discuss May Sinclair's Mary Olivier: A Life, originally published in 1919. We talk controlling mothers, Victorian roles, and the mysterious passage of time. Listeners unfamiliar with the plot may want to read the book before tuning in. References: To purchase books we've covered, please visit our digital bookshop. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 27 Jun 2023 | An African in Greenland with Chris Lee | 00:54:18 | |
Writer Chris Lee joins us to discuss An African in Greenland written by Tété-Michel Kpomassie and translated from French by James Kirkup. The book follows a young man's dream to reach the Arctic. We investigate some tropes of travel literature, find surprising links between Togolese and Greenlandic culture, and thirst for some reindeer coffee. References: To purchase books we've covered, please visit our digital bookshop. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 11 Jul 2023 | Akenfield with Nick During | 01:00:07 | |
NYRB publicist Nick During joins us to discuss Akenfield: Portrait of an English Village by Ronald Blythe, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 100. We talk about the tricky business of categorization, the tension between work and vocation, and the nature of agricultural society. Massive thank you to John Hoekstra, who composed our theme music. References: BookCourt Edwin Frank Word from Wormingford The View in Winter John Piper Shell Guides John Nash Cedric Morris Charfield Studs Terkel Matt Weiland Antony Beevor Stalingrad by Vasily Grossman The Red Thread: Twenty Years of NYRB Classics The Hunchback of Notre-Dame Fenwomen: A Portrait of Women in an English Village by Mary Chamberlain Iris Murdoch | |||
| 25 Jul 2023 | Summer Cooking with Valerie Stivers | 01:02:21 | |
Writer Valerie Stivers joins us to discuss Elizabeth David's Summer Cooking. Originally published in 1955, this cookbook celebrates the fleeting freshness and enduring joy of the summer season. We seek the origins of David's refreshing approach to cooking, ponder the uses of food photography, and learn how Valerie's David-inspired menu came together. Find all of our guest's Paris Review columns here, and read her reviews for Compact Magazine here. References: Find us on Twitter or Instagram to join in on our #SummerofDavid. Here is our most updated episode schedule. To purchase books we've covered, please visit our digital bookshop. Buying them here helps to support the show. | |||
| 08 Aug 2023 | Thus Were Their Faces with Kim McNeill | 01:05:32 | |
Kim McNeill joins us to dicuss Thus Were Their Faces, a collection of short stories written by Silvina Ocampo and translated from Spanish by Daniel Balderston. We explore Ocampo's various renditions of cruelty, trace themes and motifs across her career, and use the F-word (feminism). Follow along with Kim's splendid #NYRBWomen23 project here. References: Find us on Twitter or Instagram, and click here to view our most up-to-date episode schedule. | |||
| 22 Aug 2023 | The Go-Between with Vivek Narayanan | 01:01:56 | |
Writer and poet Vivek Narayanan joins us to discuss L. P. Hartley's The Go-Between. We talk about how Hartley, in this novel about a schoolboy's loss of innocence at the turn of the 20th century, explores childhood guilt and dramatizes the act of memory. Follow Vivek on Twitter, and find out more about his work here. References: Find us on Twitter or Instagram, and click here to view our most up-to-date episode schedule. | |||
| 05 Sep 2023 | Butcher's Crossing with John Williams | 00:56:05 | |
Washington Post books editor John Williams joins us to discuss... John Williams' Butcher's Crossing, orginally published in 1960. The story, set in the 1870s, follows a Harvard dropout as he attempts to find a truer version of himself in the West. We talk about the book's challenge to Emersonian transcendentalism, American rapaciousness, and Western archetypes. (And worry not, we don't play the theme to Star Wars.) References: Find us on Twitter or Instagram, and click here to view our most up-to-date episode schedule. | |||
| 19 Sep 2023 | A House and Its Head with John Darnielle | 01:14:04 | |
Musician and author John Darnielle joins us to discuss A House and Its Head by Ivy Compton-Burnett, a wickedly funny novel first published in 1935. We talk about how Compton-Burnett's family background did or did not shape her style, explore the influence of Greek drama on her approach to narrative, and try to understand why we find her characters' conversations about horrific acts so hilarious. Pre-order the new Mountain Goats album and check our their tour dates here. References: Find us on Twitter or Instagram, and click here to view our most up-to-date episode schedule. | |||
| 03 Oct 2023 | The Moon and the Bonfires with Patrick Preziosi | 01:06:47 | |
Writer and critic Patrick Preziosi joins us to discuss Cesare Pavese's The Moon and the Bonfires, translated from Italian by R. W. Flint. The story features a nameless narrator who returns to his native Italy from America in the wake of World War II. We talk about the ghosts of the past, the cyclical nature of violence, and the innate desire to find one's home. Be sure to follow Patrick on Twitter here. References: Find us on Twitter or Instagram, and click here to view our most up-to-date episode schedule. | |||
| 17 Oct 2023 | The Other House with Sheridan Hay | 01:03:18 | |
Writer and scholar Sheridan Hay joins us to discuss The Other House by Henry James. An unusual work for the author in that it contains his only murder, we analyze the novel's theatrical inspiration, bizarre tone, and gruesome climax. Please be wary as we wound up spoiling this one earlier than we normally do. Find us on Twitter or Instagram, and click here to view our most up-to-date episode schedule. | |||
| 31 Oct 2023 | The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner with James Kelman | 01:22:17 | |
Author James Kelman joins us to discuss James Hogg's The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, originally published in 1824. It tells the story of a staunch Calvininst who is lured into a killing spree by a mysterious, shapeshifting being. We discuss the novel's unusual structure, moral ambiguity, and mixture of genres. Kelman offers historical insight into the book's philospophy and places the work in a modern, international context. References: Find us on Twitter or Instagram, and click here to view our most up-to-date episode schedule. | |||
| 14 Nov 2023 | The Word of the Speechless with Michael Barron | 01:09:40 | |
Writer and editor Michael Barron joins us to share this short story collection from Julio Ramón Ribeyro. We discuss issues of class, the stereotyping of Latin American literature, and what it means to be "speechless." This book is one to be shared. Pass it on. Read more about our guest's work here. References: Find us on Twitter or Instagram, and click here to view our most up-to-date episode schedule. | |||
| 28 Nov 2023 | Zama with Esther Allen | 01:17:06 | |
Writer Esther Allen joins us to discuss her translation of Antonio di Benedetto's Zama, an Argentine existential novel originally published 1956. We discuss the intricacies of translation, the author's repudiation of the idea of a historical novel, and Lucrecia Martel's 2017 film adaptation of the story. Listeners unfamiliar with the plot may want to read the book (and watch the movie) before tuning in. References: Burton Pike Find us on Twitter or Instagram. | |||
| 05 Dec 2023 | NYRB Classics Draft | 00:25:38 | |
In this taster for the Patreon, Dylan and Kassia compete to draft their four favorite books covered on the show thus far. If you're interested in more lighthearted episodes like this, please consider trying out a subscription here: patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 08 Dec 2023 | Teaser: Antwerp with Michael Barron | 00:03:39 | |
Returning guest Michael Barron joins us to discuss Roberto Bolaño's "curio" published near the end of his life. We talk about Bolaño's universe, his unromantic youth, and why this is the only book that doesn't embarrass him. To hear the full episode, head over to our Patreon page and subscribe: patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 12 Dec 2023 | The Inferno with Diane Mehta | 01:19:11 | |
Poet Diane Mehta joins us to discuss Dante's Inferno translated by Ciaran Carson. We talk about our guest's ongoing Dante project, the multiple levels the text works on, and how, in the Florentine's view, the greatest sins stem from a lack of love. We recently launched a Patreon featuring two exclusive bonus episodes a month! Check out our three patron tiers (Minor Work, Instant Classic, and Magnus Opus) here. And be sure to grab Tiny Extravaganzas (we especially love "Shredder") and read more about our guest's work here. | |||
| 19 Dec 2023 | Teaser: Big Fiction with Dan Sinykin | 00:03:46 | |
In this enlightening conversation, we talk to scholar Dan Sinykin about his book Big Fiction, which details the rise of conglomeration in American publishing and its impact on the kind of fiction that gets written, released, and acclaimed. We were delighted to hear his insights into the founding of the New York Review of Books, Renata Adler and Elizabeth Hardwick's use of autofiction, and the current spate of literature in translation. To listen to the full episode, head over to our Patreon page and subscribe: patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 26 Dec 2023 | Muhammad with Tariq Ali | 01:13:25 | |
Writer and filmmaker Tariq Ali joins us to discuss Muhammad written by Maxime Rodinson and translated from French by Anne Carter. We talk about Rodinson's Marxist perspective, how the biography works as an "antidote" to far-right sentiment, and what it means to read it during a war in Gaza. Check out our Patreon here: patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 02 Jan 2024 | Teaser: British Library Women Writers with Simon Thomas | 00:02:06 | |
Book blogger, podcaster, and Ivy Compton-Burnett admirer Simon Thomas returns to discuss his work with the British Library Women Writers series and his favorite book in it: O, the Brave Music by Dorothy Evelyn Smith. We talk about the ethics of censorship in republishing and what makes this coming-of-age story so strangely uplifting despite its tragic elements. Toward the end, we debrief last summer's NYRB Classics bracket championship. To listen to the full episode, head over to our Patreon page and subscribe: patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 09 Jan 2024 | Melville Live at the Moby-Dick Marathon | 00:54:19 | |
This episode was recorded before a live audience at the New Bedford Whaling Museum during their annual Moby-Dick Marathon. We spoke with Tim Marr and Wyn Kelley of the Melville Society Cultural Project about Melville: A Novel written by Jean Giono and translated from French by Paul Eprile. Giono's "novel" was originally conceived as a preface to his French translation of Moby-Dick. Our conversation covers Giono's imagined vision of the great American author, the struggle to create art, and the role of an ideal reader. We have more special Moby-Dick content coming soon on our Patreon! Check out our page here: patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 16 Jan 2024 | Teaser: Moby-Dick with Will Menaker | 00:03:27 | |
Chapo Trap House co-host Will Menaker joins us to talk about Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. Recorded amid a marathon reading of Melville's masterwork, we discuss the book's prophetic vision of America and the popular culture that it spawned. Will reads from his favorite section of the novel and gives a pitch for why it should be read today. To listen to the full episode, head over to our Patreon page and subscribe: patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 23 Jan 2024 | Tun-huang by Yasushi Inoue | 00:58:46 | |
In this episode, Kassia and Dylan discuss the Japanese novel Tun-huang written by Yasushi Inoue and translated by Jean Oda Moy. This work of historical fiction imagines how a trove of early Buddhist sutras came to be hidden in caves along the Silk Road for centuries. We talk about the book’s criticism of education, bureaucracy, and materialism, as well as the significance of freedom, preservation, and translation. Interested in supporting the show? Check out our Patreon page here: patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 01 Feb 2024 | Teaser: Cover Design with Katy Homans | 00:02:42 | |
Designer Katy Homans reveals the secrets behind those iconic NYRB Classics covers, and we find out what color Edwin Frank hates the most. To hear to the full episode, consider becoming a patron: patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 06 Feb 2024 | The Skin of Dreams with Chris Clarke | 00:55:50 | |
Chris Clarke joins us to discuss his new translation of Raymond Queneau's The Skin of Dreams. This delightful novel follows the wild imaginings of a daydreamer as he ventures from his dull reality in the outskirts of Paris to the glamorous heart of Hollywood. We talk about the challenge of rendering the original's linguistic playfulness in English and how Queneau's love of cinema helped inspire the book's form. | |||
| 14 Feb 2024 | Teaser: Persuasion by Jane Austen | 00:02:40 | |
This Valentine's Day, we decided to revisit a romantic classic that one of us hates and the other loves. Will the cynic be persuaded to change their heart? To swoon over the full episode, consider becoming a patron: patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 20 Feb 2024 | The Radiance of the King with Frank Wynne | 01:33:09 | |
Writer and translator Frank Wynne joins us to discuss The Radiance of the King written by Camara Laye and translated from French by James Kirkup. We talk about the book's hilarious absurdity, reversal of Western tropes, and mysterious ending. Read more about our guest's work here: https://www.terribleman.com/ Interested in extra bookish content? Check out our three Patreon tiers here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 27 Feb 2024 | Teaser: Eunoia by Christian Bök | 00:03:22 | |
In this bonus teaser, we discuss a work of experimental poetry chosen by a patron. Explore the hidden character of the vowels here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 05 Mar 2024 | Blue Lard with Max Lawton | 01:04:33 | |
Max Lawton joins us to discuss his new translation of Vladimir Sorokin's Blue Lard, a controversial Russian novel originally published in 1999. We talk about where this book fits into Sorokin's varied career, its irreverent treatment of political and literary icons, and the spirit of freedom that permeates every page. Want to boost your L-harmony? Give our Patreon a look-see: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 19 Mar 2024 | Season of Migration to the North with Laila Lalami | 00:45:51 | |
Author Laila Lalami joins us to discuss Tayeb Salih's novel Season of Migration to the North translated from Arabic by Denys Johnson-Davies. We talk about the book's postcolonial themes, its treatment of women's roles, and transformation of the Western canon. Read more about our guest's work here: https://lailalalami.com/ Want to support the show? Explore our Patreon tiers here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 26 Mar 2024 | How to Start a Literary Magazine with Anthony Garrett | 00:48:38 | |
In this bonus episode, we speak with writer and editor Anthony Garrett about Atmospheric Quarterly, the new literary magazine he co-founded. Read it here: https://www.atmosphericquarterly.com/ | |||
| 09 Apr 2024 | Teaser: Celia Dale with Andrew Male | 00:02:45 | |
Enjoy this clip from our bonus episode covering Celia Dale's sinister novel A Spring of Love with culture critic Andrew Male. The book is being reprinted by Daunt Books in September and is available for pre-order now. To hear the full conversation, subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 16 Apr 2024 | Moravagine with Ryan Alexander | 01:21:15 | |
Writer and co-host of the Vollmannia podcast Ryan Alexander joins us to discuss Moravagine, first published in 1926. The novel was written by Blaise Cendrars (given name: Frédéric-Louis Sauser) and translated from French by Alan Brown. The plot involves a monstrous criminal who, once released from a mental hospital, goes on a worldwide killing spree before returning to Europe to fight in World War I. We talk about the book's unique representation of violence, its social commentary on misogyny and antisemitism, and the false promises of progress. Check out Ryan's excellent show here: https://vollmannia.buzzsprout.com/ And, for two more book-related episodes a month, our Patreon is a steal: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 23 Apr 2024 | Teaser: I'm Not Complaining with Nancy Pearl | 00:04:56 | |
After mentioning the book in our Mary Olivier episode, writer and librarian Nancy Pearl returns to discuss Ruth Adam's I'm Not Complaining, one of her favorite Virago Modern Classics. In this clip, Nancy talks about the novel's unique angle on the Great Depression. To hear the complete conversation, become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 25 Apr 2024 | Teaser: "Tortured Poets" with Alina Stefanescu | 00:05:59 | |
Poet and writer Alina Stefanescu joins us to discuss her own pantheon of "tortured poets" in the wake of a pop star's adoption of the phrase. Check out Alina's writing here: https://www.alinastefanescuwriter.com/ To hear the full episode, become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 30 Apr 2024 | Moderan with Bijan Stephen | 00:47:49 | |
Writer Bijan Stephen joins us to discuss David R. Bunch's short story collection Moderan. In Moderan, people replace their "soft parts" with metal and devote their lives to making war. We talk about Bunch's satire of the international order, his wildly innovative use of language, and his commitment to depicting a utopian hellscape. Read Bijan's article on Moderan here: https://dirt.fyi/article/2022/06/the-future-is-moderan Check out Chris Lee's fantastic travelogue: https://chrisleefrancis.com/books/eastwards-and-far/ And, as always, we would love to have you over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 07 May 2024 | Teaser: The Leopard with Patrick Preziosi | 00:05:15 | |
Writer Patrick Preziosi rejoins the show to talk about an Italian favorite: Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's The Leopard. In this clip, we talk about the Sicilian prince's strange path to publication and how his other short works illuminate this masterpiece. Listen to the full episode to hear our thoughts on Visconti's film adaptation, Lampedusa's prose, and what it's like to read the novel in Sicily. Subscribe to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 14 May 2024 | The Goshawk with Helen Macdonald | 00:52:26 | |
We are joined by author Helen Macdonald to discuss T. H. White's The Goshawk, originally published in 1951. In this conversation, we talk about the devotion required to train a hawk, what one learns during the process, and how White's book haunted our guest. For more on White's biography, join us on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 17 May 2024 | Teaser: T. H. White with Kate Macdonald | 00:04:37 | |
In this brief clip, publisher Kate Macdonald shares the story of writer T. H. White's most beloved dog, Brownie. In the full episode, we talk about Sylvia Townsend Warner's approach to biography, White's Arthurian cycle, and the unglamorous side of being an author. To listen, join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 22 May 2024 | Teaser: The Fringes of Story with Amit Chaudhuri | 00:10:22 | |
Novelist Amit Chaudhuri joins us for a wide-ranging conversation as his first three books (A Strange and Sublime Address, Afternoon Raag, and Freedom Song) are republished as NYRB Classics. We talk about his uneasy relationship with the realist novel, the literary market's distortions of value, and the role place plays in his creative project. To hear the full episode, join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 29 May 2024 | Talk with Linda Rosenkrantz | 00:28:10 | |
Author Linda Rosenkrantz joins us to discuss her 1968 "reality novel" Talk. In the summer of 65, Rosenkrantz took a tape recorder to the beach and documented her friends' conversations. She later shaped the transcripts from that trip into a sharp, funny, and unusually revealing book. We speak with her about her contrasting experiences with publishing then and now, her artistic inspirations, other tape recording projects, and more. Explore our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 04 Jun 2024 | Teaser: They with Lucy Scholes | 00:03:00 | |
In this clip, we hear about how McNally Editions editor Lucy Scholes came to rediscover English author Kay Dick and her dystopian novel They. To listen to the full conversation, check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 11 Jun 2024 | The Land Breakers with Chris Via | 01:14:38 | |
Leaf by Leaf host Chris Via joins us to discuss John Ehle's 1964 novel The Land Breakers. It is a story of love, sacrifice, and survival in an unspoilt Appalachian landscape. We talk about the book's nuanced character development, the violent birthing pangs of early America, plus the similiarities and differences between Ehle's bear hunt and Melville's whale watch. Explore our bonus material here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 20 Jun 2024 | Teaser: The Silmarillion with Alex Cuellar | 00:06:00 | |
Tolkien enthusiast Alex Cuellar joins us to discuss The Silmarillion. One of us has to test the limits of our edurance for the fantasy genre. To hear the full episode, sign up to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 27 Jun 2024 | Skeletons in the Closet with Howard A. Rodman | 00:54:25 | |
Screenwriter Howard A. Rodman joins us to discuss Jean-Patrick Manchette's Skeletons in the Closet, translated from French by Alyson Waters. This is a private eye novel set in Paris after the failed revolution of May 68. We talk about Manchette's playfulness with genre, the brutal yet slapstick violence in his books, and his collapse of high-versus-low distinctions. Check out our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 11 Jul 2024 | Belchamber by Howard Sturgis | 01:19:43 | |
Dylan and Kassia discuss Howard Sturgis' 1904 novel Belchamber. It follows the coming of age of Sainty, a not-so-average English boy who prefers needlepoint to riding and Tennyson to girls. We talk about the novel's interweaving of comedy and tragedy, the nature of being a sissy, and, of course, Henry James' famous critiques. If you want to hear extra episodes, explore our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 19 Jul 2024 | Teaser: Strange Pilgrims by Gabriel García Márquez | 00:06:02 | |
Dylan and Kassia read Strange Pilgrims, a short story collection suggested by a listener. To hear the full episode, join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 26 Jul 2024 | Castle Gripsholm by Kurt Tucholsky | 00:52:08 | |
Dylan and Kassia return to discuss Castle Gripsholm written by Kurt Tucholsky and translated from German by Michael Hofmann. The novel tells the story of "the Princess" and her lover on holiday in Sweden. It's a simple summertime fairy tale ... or is it? We talk about metafiction, love and friendship, and the book's sly critique of 1930s Germany. The Last Sane Woman review: https://therumpus.net/2024/07/16/the-archive-as-potters-field-hannah-regels-the-last-sane-woman/ NYRB Classics film adaptations list: https://letterboxd.com/greenchile42/list/nyrb-classics/ And finally, our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 31 Jul 2024 | Teaser: 19 Ways of Looking at Wang Wei with Canaan Morse | 00:04:11 | |
Chinese translator Canaan Morse returns to explain how Eliot Weinberger's critical (and often cutting) analysis can help us see classical writing in new ways. Listen to the full episode on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 08 Aug 2024 | São Bernardo with Padma Viswanathan | 00:59:27 | |
Writer and Portuguese translator Padma Viswanathan joins us to discuss her translation of São Bernardo by Graciliano Ramos. The book follows the story of Paulo Honório, an enterprising field hand who goes on to own the land where he once toiled. We talk about finding the narrator's voice, the many layers of irony, and Graciliano's political perspective. Read more about our guest's work here: https://padmaviswanathan.com/ Read one of the author's municipal reports: https://lithub.com/how-to-break-in-to-publishing-if-youre-a-smalltown-brazilian-mayor-in-the-1930s/ And, if you're up to it, peruse our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 16 Aug 2024 | Teaser: The Novel with Steven Moore | 00:07:01 | |
Critic Steven Moore joins us to discuss his two-volume alternative history of the novel. He refutes popular claims that the novel is a European invention and tells us why constant innovation is the form's true tradition. Hear the full episode on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 Link to pre-order The Adventures of Lady Egeria: https://sublunaryeditions.com/products/the-adventures-of-lady-egeria
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| 22 Aug 2024 | Waiting for the Fear with Merve Emre | 00:48:35 | |
Critic Merve Emre joins us to discuss Oğuz Atay's short story collection Waiting for the Fear, newly translated from Turkish by Ralph Hubbell. These eight stories, inflected with humor and dread, deal with characters on the margins of society. We talk about the theme of alienation, Atay's relationship to Russian literature, and why so many of the stories take the form of letters. Want to hear more Unburied Books? Sign up for our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 30 Aug 2024 | Teaser: Melville, Wharton, and the Perils of Pilgrimage | 00:04:12 | |
In this episode, we break from our usual format and discuss a recent "literary" road trip through New England. We share our thoughts on the Moby-Dick-centrism of Herman Melville's Arrowhead and on Edith Wharton's humble writer's retreat The Mount, which could reasonably accomodate a pod of whales, not to mention Henry James, Howard Sturgis, and friends. In Lennox, we run into the owner of The Bookstore, who was recently the subject of a bittersweet documentary entitled Hello, Bookstore. To hear all this and more, check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 06 Sep 2024 | With Renata Adler | 01:02:29 | |
Author, journalist, and critic Renata Adler joins us in person for a discussion of her novels Speedboat and Pitch Dark, both reprinted as NYRB Classics. We also talk about her career in journalism, reactions to criticism, and thoughts on persona. | |||
| 12 Sep 2024 | Teaser: Iliad or Odyssey? | 00:15:21 | |
We test Dylan's theory that all stories can be classified as either an Iliad or Odyssey by going through the list of NYRB Classics that we've covered. Listen to the full episode on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 20 Sep 2024 | The Slaves of Solitude with Nora | 01:20:21 | |
We discuss Patrick Hamilton's 1947 novel The Slaves of Solitude with Spinster September creator Nora. The story concerns Miss Roach, an unmarried woman scraping through WWII on the outskirts of London. The episode covers the meaning of spinsterdom, Hamilton's black humor, and how crisis skews perspective. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 29 Sep 2024 | Teaser: Dream of the Red Chamber Part 1 | 00:38:47 | |
In this extended teaser, we share the first three of seven "chapters" discussing one of the foremost Chinese classical novels, Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin. With over 400 characters, the novel details everyday life in the Qing dynasty as well as some of the most extraordinary scenes put to paper. It's our longest episode ever. Hear the complete version on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 04 Oct 2024 | Shorts: Two Dollar Radio with Eric Obenauf | 00:26:14 | |
Welcome to Shorts, a miniseries where we interview the publishers of new and daring work. This week we're talking to Eric Obenauf, who, along with his partner, cofounded the small, Ohio-based press Two Dollar Radio. We hear how their youthful idealism has evolved over the years, find out what kind of writing piques their interest, and discover which of their books Barry Manilow might enjoy. | |||
| 20 Oct 2024 | Teaser: Dante in Motion and the Ethereal Art of Silent Film | 00:03:31 | |
In this clip, Dylan and Kassia discuss the 1911 Italian silent film adaptation of Dante's Inferno, a text covered on the main show. To hear the full episode, sign up to become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 25 Oct 2024 | Clandestine in Chile with Ignacio Sánchez Prado | 01:06:33 | |
Scholar and author Ignacio Sánchez Prado joins us to discuss Clandestine in Chile written by Gabriel García Márquez and translated from Spanish by Asa Zatz. We talk about Márquez's influence on Latin American cinema, hallmarks of the crónica, and the meaning of exile to an artist. Become a patron to hear our discussion of Márquez's short story collection Strange Pilgrims: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384 | |||
| 30 Oct 2024 | Teaser: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley | 00:05:04 | |
In this clip from the Patreon, we debate the merits of the 1818 and 1831 versions of the novel that birthed innumerable Halloween ensembles. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 07 Nov 2024 | The Lily in the Valley with Peter Bush | 00:49:10 | |
Peter Bush joins us to discuss his translation of Honoré de Balzac's The Lily in the Valley. We talk about the novel's unique place in the Human Comedy, its surprisingly modern ending, and the challenges of recreating Balzac's language in English. Support our show here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 21 Nov 2024 | Teaser: Stranger than Fiction with Edwin Frank | 00:02:49 | |
NYRB Classics editorial director Edwin Frank returns to talk about his new book on the 20th-century novel. We discuss how he defined the category, his discoveries during research, and how being an editor has shaped his understanding. To hear the full episode, check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 29 Nov 2024 | Teaser: Pablo Casals, "Chopin," and the Esotericism of Classical Music | 00:02:38 | |
It's classical music week at Unburied Books! In this bonus episode, we talk about Joys and Sorrows by Pablo Casals, a sort-of autobiography by the great unburier of Bach's cello suites, as well as Gottfried Benn's poem "Chopin," translated from German by NYRB favorite Michael Hofmann. Read the poem here: https://www.ronnowpoetry.com/contents/benn/Chopin.html Listen to the full episode on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 06 Dec 2024 | Angel with Mandylion Press | 01:20:05 | |
Mabel Taylor and Madeline Porsella of Mandylion Press join us to discuss Elizabeth Taylor's Angel, a novel first published in 1957. Angel is the story of a self-obsessed writer whose imaginary world becomes frighteningly real. We talk about her lying tendencies, fraught relationships, and intersections with history's whirligig. Check out Mandylion's books and podcast, 1-800-1800. Sign up to our patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 14 Dec 2024 | Teaser: Dream of the Red Chamber Part 2 with Eileen Cheng-yin Chow and Wai-yee Li | 00:12:44 | |
Eileen Cheng-yin Chow and Wai-yee Li, both scholars and devoted readers of Cao Xueqin's Dream of the Red Chamber, join us to discuss the book's final two volumes as well as their varied encounters with the text. In this clip, we talk about the controversy surrounding the novel's last 40 chapters, the author's alter ego, and the depiction of Chinese fatherhood. Hear the full episode on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 24 Dec 2024 | Ending Up with Craig Brown | 00:57:46 | |
Author and critic Craig Brown joins us to discuss Kingsley Amis' novel Ending Up. The story follows a group of poverty-stricken elders as they suffer the miseries of one another's company (and their relatives) over the holidays. We talk about the limits of comic writing, Amis' penchant for irritation, and the context of 1970s England. It's our 50th NYRB Classic! Let's cut the telephone wires in celebration! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 27 Dec 2024 | Teaser: A Tomb for Boris Davidovich by Danilo Kiš | 00:07:51 | |
In this episode, we talk about A Tomb for Boris Davidovich by Danilo Kiš and Philip Roth's Writers from the Other Europe series from the 1970s and 80s. Listen to the full episode on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84429384
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| 11 Feb 2025 | Shorts: Unbound with Jonathan Meades and John Mitchinson | 00:29:45 | |
On this episode of Shorts, we're talking to author Jonathan Meades and publisher John Mitchinson about the unique publishing process at Unbound. We discuss how they each became readers, Unbound's roots in the subscription model of the 17th century, Meades' magnum opus, and more. Order Empty Wigs: https://unbound.com/books/empty-wigs Join the Unbound newsletter: https://unbound.com/newsletter
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