novelists – Page 2 – Jacke Wilson

March 8, 2022

The History of Literature #348 – Philip Roth (with Mike Palindrome)

As a child growing up in Newark, New Jersey in the 1930s and 40s, Philip Milton Roth (1933-2018) never thought about being a writer. By the time he died, he had become one of the most famous and celebrated figures in the literary world – though his writing and personal flaws attracted criticism as well Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, Fiction, history of literature, novelists

American Writers, books, Literature, Philip Roth

March 1, 2022

The History of Literature #341 – Constance and Henry – The Story of “Miss Grief”

In the immediate aftermath of her death at the age of 53, Constance Fenimore Woolson (1840-1894) was considered one of the greatest writers of her day, but her reputation soon faded. A hundred years later, she was little more than a footnote in her friend Henry James’s biography, until scholars began to rediscover her life Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, history of literature, novelists

Charlotte Bronte, henry james, Literature, Short Stories

August 18, 2021

The History of Literature #340 – Forgotten Women of Literature 5 – Constance Fenimore Woolson

When she died tragically at the age of 53, Constance Fenimore Woolson was ranked with the greatest female writers of all time, including Jane Austen, George Eliot, and the Brontes. What happened to her reputation after that? Did her friend Henry James sink her reputation as an author and a person? In this episode, Jacke Continue reading

Arts, Authors, Fiction, history of literature, novelists, Podcast

Charlotte Bronte, constance fenimore woolson, female writers, henry james, Literature

August 13, 2021

The History of Literature #335 – Machado de Assis (with Cláudia Laitano)

Finally! At long last, Jacke responds to years of requests from his Brazilian listeners to take a closer look at Machado de Assis, the novelist whom critic Harold Bloom called simply “a miracle.” In this episode, author and Brazilian friend Claudia Laitano joins Jacke to discuss Machado’s life, works, and legacy. Enjoy! Help support the Continue reading

Authors, books, novelists

Claudia Laitano, Literature, Machado de Assis, Writing

October 5, 2020

The History of Literature #248 – The History of Literature Presents: Storybound (with Mitchell S. Jackson)

The History of Literature presents some content from another Podglomerate podcast, Storybound. In this episode from Storybound’s first season, author Mitchell S. Jackson reads from his memoir, Survival Math: Notes on an All-American Family, with sound design and original music composed by Zane featuring Stephanie Strange. STORYBOUND is a radio theater program designed for the Continue reading

books, history of literature, novelists, Podcast

radio theater, storybound project, survival math

October 4, 2020

The History of Literature #247 – Raymond Carver (with Tom Perrotta)

Novelist and screenwriter Tom Perrotta joins Jacke for a discussion of his blue collar New Jersey background, the cultural shock of attending Yale University, and the profound impact that Raymond Carver’s first collection of short stories, Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?, had on him as an aspiring young writer trying to find his place Continue reading

Authors, books, Fiction, history of literature, novelists, Podcast, Writing

american chekhov, election, joe college, little children, raymond carver, Short Stories, tom perrotta, will you please be quiet please

September 30, 2020

The History of Literature #242 – William Faulkner | Dry September

The fourth part of a three-part episode run! Jacke takes the advice of a listener and adds William Faulkner’s “Dry September” (1931) to the Baldwin-Faulkner consideration. NOTE FOR LISTENERS: This story (and our discussion of it) contains disturbing references to sexual violence, racial slurs, and race-based hate crimes. Please exercise discretion in listening or playing Continue reading

Authors, books, Fiction, history of literature, novelists, Podcast, Writing

dry september, lynching, race relations, Short Stories, southern gothic, William Faulkner

September 9, 2020

The History of Literature #218 – John Steinbeck

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6UBDGB0IHW4QW4KwRRvgUS?si=ld3nHcqLT6-5SwaELwwLCA John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was an American author known for what the Nobel Committee, who awarded Steinbeck its Prize for Literature in 1962, called “his realistic and imaginative writings, [which combine] sympathetic humor and keen social perception.” Among his 33 books include the novella Of Mice and Men and the novels The Grapes of Wrath Continue reading

Authors, books, Fiction, history of literature, novelists, Podcast, Writing

east of eden, grapes of wrath, james dean, john steinbeck, of mice and men

September 4, 2020

The History of Literature #213 – Special Quarantine Edition – Gusev by Anton Chekhov

More bonus content! For those of you living in isolation (and those of you who aren’t), Jacke explores the depths of the human condition – as well as its ultimate beauty – with the help of Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) and his short story masterpiece, “Gusev.” Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/shop. (We appreciate Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, Fiction, history of literature, novelists, Podcast, Writing

chekhov, gusev, russian literature, sea burial, Short story

April 24, 2020

The History of Literature #206 – Karl Ove Knausgaard

http://traffic.megaphone.fm/ADL5490616168.mp3 Since the publication of the first volume of his massive novel Mein Kampf (or My Struggle) in 2009, Karl Ove Knausgaard (1968- ) has become a household name in his native Norway – and a loved and hated literary figure around the world. Thanks to that six-volume book, plus another four-volume work titled after the four seasons, Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, Fiction, history of literature, novelists, Podcast

autumn, Karl Ove Knausgaard, my struggle, norwegian literature, spring, summer, winter