Arts
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Graham Greene and the Lolita Controversy
We talked for an hour, and yet we still barely scratched the surface of Graham Greene’s incredible life. Here’s one we didn’t get to: his role in bringing Lolita to the literary world’s attention – and inadvertently triggering the ban (which probably helped sales in the long run). Maria Popova has more: When Lolita was first published… Continue reading
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The History of Literature Episode 39 – Reconsidering Graham Greene
Jacke and Mike reconsider the life and works of the great twentieth-century British novelist Graham Greene. Works discussed include The End of the Affair, The Power and the Glory,The Quiet American, Babbling April, and The Third Man. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:36 — 35.7MB) Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS | More… Continue reading
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Reconsidering Graham Greene
Hello! We have a good episode of the History of Literature coming up soon… a reconsideration of Graham Greene, one of the best novelists of the twentieth century – and also one of the most important. During the recording I fumbled for this quote, but it still stands out: For me one of the best,… Continue reading
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The History of Literature Episode 38 – Great Literary Duos (Part Two)
When are two artists or characters more than the sum of their parts? How is that magic created? And what does it mean for the rest of us? Part two of a conversation with host Jacke Wilson and his guest, the President of the Literature Supporters Club, on great literary duos. Podcast: Play in new window | Download… Continue reading
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History of Literature Episode 37 – Great Literary Duos
What makes a great literary duo? Two authors inspiring one another? Two characters who fall in love? Best friends? Rivals? Host Jacke Wilson is joined by the President of the Literature of the Supporters Club to discuss. Jacke and Mike also respond to a listener question about building a World Literature syllabus. But first, Jacke… Continue reading
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Sneak Preview: What Goes With Rushdie?
Okay, time for an update! We have another podcast episode posting tomorrow morning. I’ll be joined by the President of the Literature Supporters Club to discuss great literary duos. Don’t miss it! We’ll also be discussing this question from brilliant listener EF, a college-level instructor: I’ve just inherited a ten-week World Literature course, with Salman Rushdie’s… Continue reading
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The History of Literature Podcast Episode 36 – Poetry and Empire (Virgil, Ovid, Horace, Petronius, Catullus)
What happens when a republic morphs into empire? What did it mean for the writers of Ancient Rome – and what would it mean for us today? Jacke Wilson takes a look at the current state of affairs in America and the Roman examples of Virgil, Ovid, Horace, Petronius, and Catullus. Podcast: Play in new window |… Continue reading
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Epic News – A New Gilgamesh Fragment!
Brilliant listener EF writes: I love your podcast! The episode on Gilgamesh got me hooked, and I’ve been listening since then. (Did you hear about the newly discovered fragment, that suggests Gilgamesh felt guilty about the mess he and Enkidu made in the cedar forest?) What!? No, I did not! Here’s OpenCulture on the significance of… Continue reading
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On the Pleasures of Finding a New Author: Elena Ferrante
Hello, everyone! Today is a day for celebration. It’s rare for this crusty old salt to find a new author who can make him feel like he’s twenty again, with all the world of books still out there, waiting for him to discover the fresh and new and exciting. It used to happen every month,… Continue reading
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The History of Literature Episode 35 – A Conversation with Ronica Dhar
In this episode, Jacke welcomes special guest Ronica Dhar, who presents Five Books (or actually Four Books and a Movie) To Lower Your Blood Pressure. Highlights include a poem by Ronica’s former teacher and mentor, letters to a samurai written by a zen master who invented a type of pickle, and a fourteenth-century Kashmiri mystic who wrestled with… Continue reading
Jacke Wilson 