The Novel Workshop

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The Novel Workshop is a monthly podcast that presents long-form criticism of contemporary fiction. If you're into that kind of heady stuff, join us!


    • Jun 27, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 48m AVG DURATION
    • 8 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Novel Workshop

    The Netanyahus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2022 37:38


    In this, our season finale, we discuss what happens when a novel's emotional question goes unanswered. (A hint: Esther becomes quite the unhappy camper.)

    The Swimmers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 47:15


    In this episode, we tackle the big one—what separates a novel from a collection of short stories? Is the difference significant or nonexistent?  

    My Sister, the Serial Killer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 35:38


    In this month's episode, we discuss both the anti-realist novel and the trauma plot. Are they mutually exclusive or can they coexist? 

    Oh William!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022 48:19


    In this month's episode, we discuss the constraints of reliability and whether a narrator (especially a first-person narrator) can ever be trusthworthy. "It's all quite strange to me," says Alonzo.

    Harlem Shuffle

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2021 53:53


    Esther and Alonzo finally disagree. "Whitehead has divided this house." Whose interpretation is right? Check out this month's sprawling episode—On Beauty, Fences, and "Sonny's Blues" are all discussed—to find out.

    The Four Winds

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 56:15


    This week, we discuss narrative pacing and the subtle art of wonder. Special thanks to the Library of Congress: Charles L. Todd and Robert Sonkin migrant workers collection (AFC 1985/001), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress  

    The Midnight Library

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 47:58


    In this episode, we discuss the tension that can arise when a text fails to distinguish its protagonist's level of intelligence from its author's earned wisdom. 

    Episode 1: Where the Crawdads Sing

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 57:59


    In this month's episode, we discuss the responsibility of the omniscient narrator and what goes awry when that responsibility isn't taken seriously.

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