Literary Leviathans

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Hunting the Great White Whales of Classic Literature

Timothy Russell

  • Nov 5, 2019 LATEST EPISODE
  • infrequent NEW EPISODES
  • 27m AVG DURATION
  • 12 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from Literary Leviathans

Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass"

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2019 22:30


Elizabeth and Tim are joined by their first podcast guest, John Paul Russell. Topics discussed include Dr. Seuss, the origins of language, and Alice's aspiration to be a queen. Be Ye Warned: If you want to know what happens in this book, you have two options: read the book or listen to this podcast. Either one will do, but to be honest, the book is better. Link to the book on Goodreads The Hunting of the Snark The Annotated Alice Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2019 25:46


In this episode, we discuss Alice's identity crisis, her frustrations with easily-offended characters, and why the Mock Turtle looks so different from an actual turtle. Be Ye Warned: Want to know if Alice ever makes it into that beautiful garden she sees through the little door? Read the book first and find out! Link to the book on Goodreads The Annotated Alice Arthur Rackham's Alice Illustrations Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit"

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2019 27:32


J.R.R. Tolkien launched the fantasy genre into popularity almost single-handedly, and it all started with this book. Join Tim and Elizabeth as they discuss some of the themes in this timeless and charming adventure story. Be Ye Warned: If you don't know whether Bilbo survives until The Lord of the Rings, you will by the end of this episode. Link to the book on Goodreads Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451"

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2019 25:23


"It was a pleasure to burn." One of the classics of dystopian fiction, Fahrenheit 451 has captured the hearts of book-lovers for generations. Now, Tim and Elizabeth discuss it on this podcast episode, which can never be burned up by Bradbury's firemen, since it's only a sound file. Be Ye Warned: You get the idea by now: we talk about the ending. Link to the book on Goodreads Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Little Prince"

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2019 32:17


The Little Prince is one of our favorite books, and we're super-excited for this episode! We discuss what makes the story so special, whether it's written for children, and our impressions of the Netflix film inspired by the book. Be Ye Warned: Yes, we give away the ending, but can anything ever really "spoil" The Little Prince? Link to the book on Goodreads Link to the film on Netflix Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

George Orwell’s “1984” & “Animal Farm”

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2019 39:27


Prepare to surrender your freedoms while Tim and Elizabeth compare George Orwell’s classic dystopian works, with a little bit of Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” on the side. Be Ye Warned: Three for the price of one! Contains spoilers for 1984, Animal Farm, AND Brave New World! Goodreads Links: 1984, Animal Farm, Brave New World References: PETA tweet, Bob Dylan Song: My Back Pages Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women"

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2019 24:01


Elizabeth questions contemporary notions about the influences behind "Little Women", including feminism and Louisa May Alcott's father. Be Ye Warned: Listening to this podcast will reveal whether Jo and Laurie end up together, along with other mind-blowing and life-shattering spoilers. Link to the book on Goodreads Link to the Atlantic article mentioned in the episode Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land"

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2019 27:49


Timothy and Elizabeth go on an epic journey through the quintessential modern poem, discussing Eliot's sources and "The Waste Land's" connection to the legend of the Holy Grail. Be Ye Warned: Contains spoilers . . . I guess. It’s a poem, people. If you care about spoilers for a poem, then you’re reading it wrong. Link to the book on Goodreads Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing"

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2019 20:27


Timothy & Elizabeth discuss Shakespeare's comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing," and reminisce about their experiences performing in the play during their college days. Be Ye Warned: Contains spoilers which reveal that Don John is a confirmed villain. Link to the Pelican Shakespeare edition mentioned: Much Ado About Nothing Link to the Greek play mentioned, written by Euripides: Medea Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2019 27:18


Pride and Prejudice may be the greatest romance novel ever written. Listen to hear Timothy's reaction to reading it for the first time! Be ye warned: Contains spoilers to one of the most famous stories in the world. Link to the book on Goodreads Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

Flannery O'Connor's "Parker's Back"

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2019 22:23


Timothy & Elizabeth discuss "Parker's Back", another short story from Flannery O'Connor's final collection, Everything That Rises Must Converge. Be ye warned: Spoilers included (no extra charge) Link to the book on Goodreads Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

Flannery O'Connor's "Everything That Rises Must Converge"

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2019 30:58


Join Timothy and Elizabeth Russell as they dive into Flannery O'Connor's short story, "Everything That Rises Must Converge"! Be ye warned: Contains spoilers. Link to the book on Goodreads Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.

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