Aboutabook

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The podcast that tells the true story behind the world's most iconic books. How did they think of this stuff?? why is their book so popular?? should you bother reading it?

Jadecc


    • Sep 26, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 16 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Aboutabook

    The Odyssey : Should you actually read it?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2022 73:27


    In this episode Jade saves you the slog of reading Homer's Odyssey by giving a background to the epic tale as well as discussing all the juicy bits.  She discusses themes, characters, cultural impact and if there is any truth behind the story... This episode also features a discussion with the Barely Bookish podcast!Barely Bookish website https://barelybookish.com/Barely Bookish podcast Odyssey series ft. me! :https://podcasts.apple.com/ng/podcast/53-the-odyssey-1-w-about-a-book-podcast/id1532794710?i=1000536976602Books Mentioned: The Odyssey by Emily Wilson: https://www.emilyrcwilson.com/the-odysseyAndrew Lang : Tales of Troy and Greece  https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780571333509?gC=8ad8757ba&gclid=CjwKCAjw-L-ZBhB4EiwA76YzOZMD61y-VICQmknXUkn-pTCkwscYxtr0PGwFGknZ_li6my3YCheHwhoCSY4QAvD_BwEHelpful Resources: Course Hero Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV-a_AtlilM&list=PLz_ZtyOWL9BTT6cHpSFM3HnK9ongAYDBlThe Science behind The Odyssey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVo225pUaSAThe Search for Ithaca : https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/odysseys-end-the-search-for-ancient-ithaca-112739669/

    Roald Dahl: His Wacky World

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2022 63:24


    In this episode Jade explores the wonderful world of Roald Dahl.  she talks about his time as a Cadbury's taste tester, a spy, and his valuable contributions to medicine. She also discusses the real life inspirations behind some of his greatest stories.    Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aboutabook.podcast/      Tessa Dahl Article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2186961/Tessa-Dahl-Roald-Dahls-daughter-life-father-best-selling-childrens-author.htmlHis complicated legacy: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/roald-dahl-s-family-apologises-for-author-s-anti-semitism-1.4428979https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-roald-dahl-antisemitism-children-20201228-viaclofxo5cahi6berf6q35wny-story.html

    The Outsiders: How YA was born

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2022 26:27


    In this episode Jade and her sister discuss what is considered to be the first young adult novel.  they chat about what life was like for teens in 60s America, what inspired the 15 year old S.E Hinton to write the novel and shoutout  our favorite  YA books follow on instagram for some bookish history:   https://www.instagram.com/aboutabook.podcast/follow my sister's tattoo page! : https://www.instagram.com/inked.bycharlie/?hl=en

    What's the craic with Christmas Carols?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2021 28:52


    MERRY CHRISTMAS YA FILTHY ANIMALS in this episode Jade talks about the history behind  Christmas caroling and the story behind some of her favourite carols! last years festive episode:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vyWUxbwp5nsugac0zof3R?si=t4scBsGiRhyKbnuL06X8Cw

    Picnic at Hanging Rock: Fact or Fiction?

    Play Episode Play 35 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 23:51


    In this episode Jade chats with @thebookstorianpodcast about Joan Lindsay's gothic novel, Picnic at Hanging rock. we discuss the spooky Australian bush, how it relates to Irish folklore and is there any truth behind it? https://open.spotify.com/episode/7eC98xFNY55O1OeS4995rG?si=vTffCnbpQKyqCJNwH_0mVg https://open.spotify.com/show/6SjwlXC5e8uvPxXE8siyEZ?si=0a2be5c250f748dc

    I'm still alive!! Update and QnA

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 21, 2021 22:38


    It's been a while since my last episode eh? in this episode I update on what I've been up to and answer some serious and silly questions 

    The Truth Behind The Handmaid's Tale

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2021 61:55


    In this episode Jade talks about the historical events from around the world that inspired this dystopian. She also fangirls over Margaret Atwood. some useful sources!  A great youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cae8oRaBHeEAtwood's Masterclass: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/margaret-atwood-teaches-creative-writingAtwood's podcast with the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b4zf0wAtwood's article on "What The Handmaid's Tale means in the age of Trump"   https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/10/books/review/margaret-atwood-handmaids-tale-age-of-trump.html "The legacy of Romania's contraceptive ban" article in The Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/legacy-of-romania-s-contraception-ban-lives-on-1.958842The Puritans, History.com : https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/puritanismSoviet Uranium Mines info: http://www.paulbogdanor.com/left/soviet/gulag/nuclear1.html

    Fairy folklore and literature

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2021 47:06


    In this episode Jade chats about how fairies  have been portrayed  throughout history and literature. She also explores some dark folklore about Changelings and chats about Irish Fairy forts with a very special guest.  *this episode briefly mentions murder and child abuse*     Lets connect on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aboutabook.podcast/    Check out the snazzy new website: https://aboutabookpodcast.com/about/Sources Used: Magnus Course (2017) Changelings: alterity beyond difference, Folk Life, 55:1, 12-21.Radford, Edwin, and Mona A. Radford. Encyclopedia of Superstitions, Philosophical Library/Open Road, 2018.Spyra, Piotr. (2017). Shakespeare and the Demonization of Fairies. Text Matters. 7. 10.1515/texmat-2017-0011. Parry, Leona A. Is Seeing Believing? Or, is Believing Seeing? an Exploration of the Enduring Belief in Fairies and Little People among Contemporary Persons with Celtic Ancestry, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2013.Gibson, Marion , and Jo Ann Esra. "Fairy." Shakespeare's Demonology: A Dictionary. London: Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare, 2017. Arden Shakespeare Dictionaries. Drama Online.https://theculturetrip.com/europe/ireland/articles/the-story-behind-irelands-fairy-forts-and-where-to-see-them/http://www.fairyist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/The-Fairy-Census-2014-2017-1.pdf

    show trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2021 0:47


    instagram: @Aboutabook.podcast don't forget to follow  on spotify and review on apple podcasts !

    1984: Orwell's Oracle

    Play Episode Play 20 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 12, 2021 41:38


    In part 2 of her George Orwell special, Jade talks about the historical context behind 1984, where Orwell got his inspiration,  and the books happy ending? she also discusses why this book is still significant in our world today This episode is perfect as a study guide, or just for anyone wanting to learn some bookish history! Useful Sources: "The Ministry of Truth" by Dorian Lynskey Mere Mortals Media podcast episode: 1984 All sound effects are from Freefx.co.uk : https://freesfx.co.uk/Default.aspx

    George Orwell : The man behind the pen name and Animal Farm

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Jan 21, 2021 31:08


    In the first episode of her new dystopian series, Jade talk's about George Orwell's life, why he was a bit of a hipster, and what inspired his political satire, Animal Farm. All sound Fx are from https://freesfx.co.uk/ 

    Who the heck is Santa Claus?

    Play Episode Play 40 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 23, 2020 16:21


    In this  festive episode,  Jade talks about the history behind Santa Claus, and the origin of some Christmas  traditionsSounds from www.freefx.co.uk

    Lord of the Flies and why humans kinda suck

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2020 12:51


    In this episode,  Jade talks about the oddball author William Golding, and the pessimistic philosophy explored in his novel Lord of the Flies. She also discusses how this theory was explored scientifically The Stanford Prison Experiment. 

    The Great Gatsby and why F. Scott Fitzgerald was kind of a jerk

    Play Episode Play 40 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 21, 2020 29:34


    Hello old sport! This week, Jade discusses  Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald's crazy relationship, why the Great Gatsby was initially a flop, and how it became known as "The great American novel"All sound FX are from: https://freesfx.co.uk/Default.aspx

    Frankenstein and why Mary Shelley is a badass

    Play Episode Play 15 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 19:56


    In this episode, Jade talks about Mary Shelley's rollercoaster of a life and her unconventional relationship with Percy Shelley. She also discusses the cultural impact of her iconic novel "Frankenstein"

    Dracula and his Irish roots

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 17:01


    to kickoff her new podcast  Jade tells the story of Irish writer Bram Stoker, what inspired his iconic character, and why it remains so popular today. 

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