Podcast appearances and mentions of Gene Wolfe

Intro - Metz and Phil talk about the decline of the mass market paperback. Content (9:48) - Discussion of part 1 of Chapter 12 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz and Phil discuss the evolution of Stranger Things as a work of fiction. Content (21:02) - Discussion of part 2 of Chapter 11 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

fWotD Episode 3227: Paradises Lost Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia's finest articles.The featured article for Friday, 6 March 2026, is Paradises Lost.Paradises Lost is a science fiction novella by American author Ursula K. Le Guin. It was first published in 2002 as a part of the collection The Birthday of the World. It is set during a multigenerational voyage from Earth to a potentially habitable planet. The protagonists, Liu Hsing and Nova Luis, are members of the fifth generation born on the ship. The story follows them as they deal with members of a religious cult who believe the ship ought not to stop at its intended destination. They also face a crisis brought on by a drastic change in the ship's schedule. The novella has since been anthologized as well as adapted into an opera of the same name.The novella explores the isolation brought on by space travel, as well as themes of religion and utopia. It contains elements of ecocriticism, or a critique of the idea that human beings are altogether separate from their natural environment. The novella and the collections in which it was published received high praise from commentators. For its generation ship setting and examination of utopia, critics compared it to other Le Guin works such as "Newton's Sleep", and The Telling, as well as to the works of Gene Wolfe and Molly Gloss. Scholar Max Haiven described the novella as "a chastening lesson in both the potential and the perils of freedom", while author Margaret Atwood said that it "shows us our own natural world as a freshly discovered Paradise Regained, a realm of wonder".This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:56 UTC on Friday, 6 March 2026.For the full current version of the article, see Paradises Lost on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Emma.

Intro - Phil and Metz discuss the new adaptation of Animal farm by Angel Studios. Content (8:19) - Discussion of part 1 of Chapter 11 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil talks to Metz about his favorite game of the year in 2026 Content (16:57) - Discussion of part 2 of Chapter 10 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil and Metz examine the implications of Spice Quest Content (7:03) - Discussion of part 1 of Chapter 10 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz discusses potion kits with Phil Content (6:16) - Discussion of part 2 of Chapter 9 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil and Metz talk about The Game Awards Content (12:22) - Discussion of part 1 of Chapter 9 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Too Like the Lightning, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz spontaneously asks Phil about JRPGs. Content (9:34) - Discussion of part 3 of Chapter 8 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Too Like the Lightning, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil talks about Quentin Tarantio's foray into Fortnite Content (9:53) - Discussion of part 2 of Chapter 8 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Too Like the Lightning, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz tells Phil about the Rizzwich Content (6:39) - Discussion of part 1 of Chapter 8 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Too Like the Lightning, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

We're conducting a listener feedback survey! Let us know what you think at https://forms.gle/yeHQLgKsCF9ENrzy7 Intro - Phil shares about his favorite birthday present and makes Metz talk about Chiptunes. Content (8:27) - Discussion of Chapter 7 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Too Like the Lightning, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

We're conducting a listener feedback survey! Let us know what you think at https://forms.gle/yeHQLgKsCF9ENrzy7 Intro - Phil tells Metz about The Search for Kylo Ren Content (5:27) - Discussion of Part 3 of Chapter 6 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Dragon Waiting, by John M. Ford Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

We're conducting a listener feedback survey! Let us know what you think at https://forms.gle/yeHQLgKsCF9ENrzy7 Intro - Phil and Metz go to a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. Content (6:36) - Discussion of Part 2 of Chapter 6 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Dragon Waiting, by John M. Ford Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

In which the Unreliable Narrators discuss Mountains Like Mice. First published in Worlds of If, 1966 and also collected in Young Wolfe in 1992, and The Wolfe at the Door in 2023.

Intro - We announce the Alzabo Soup 10th anniversary party at MileHi Con 58. Content (3:12) - Discussion of the Part 1 of Chapter 6 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Dragon Waiting, by John M. Ford Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil complains about Magic: the Gathering selling out. Content (8:58) - Discussion of the Part 2 of Chapter 5 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Dragon Waiting, by John M. Ford Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

In which the Unreliable Narrators discuss Mountains Like Mice. First published in Worlds of If, 1966 and also collected in Young Wolfe in 1992, and The Wolfe at the Door in 2023.

Intro - Metz and Phil discuss a helpful mouse pad Content (4:29) - Discussion of the Part 1 of Chapter 5 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters by Julian Barnes Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil tells Metz about Hades II Content (6:15) - Discussion of the Part 2 of Chapter 4 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters by Julian Barnes Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz and Phil announce their 2026 Patreon read-along plans Content (7:21) - Discussion of the Part 1 of Chapter 4 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters by Julian Barnes Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

In which the Unreliable Narrators discuss Gene Wolfe's essay "Breakthrough".

Intro - Phil and Metz talk about Silksong. Content (11:17) - Discussion of the Part 2 of Chapter 3 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters by Julian Barnes Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil and Metz reflect on the appearance of Mr. Beast in Tron 3. Content (3:36) - Discussion of the Part 1 of Chapter 3 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Bloody Chamber, by Angela Carter Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz and Phil stan for Kpop Demon Hunters. Content (8:43) - Discussion of the Part 2 of Chapter 2 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Bloody Chamber, by Angela Carter Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz and Phil consider the practical and semiotic implications of the Cracker Barrel logo change. Content (8:51) - Discussion of the Part 2 of Chapter 1 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Bloody Chamber, by Angela Carter Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

In which the Unreliable Narrators discuss Gene Wolfe's short story "A Cabin on the Coast" collected in Endangered Species and The Best of Gene Wolfe.

Intro - Phil reveals the hot new Spirit Halloween game to Metz. Content (6:36) - Discussion of the Part 2 of Chapter 1 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Bloody Chamber, by Angela Carter Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz tells Phil about an unusual arrest. Content (6:07) - Discussion of the Part 1 of Chapter 1 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Bloody Chamber, by Angela Carter Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil celebrates his completion of Moby Dick. Content (8:54) - Discussion of the character list and context of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil and Metz discuss Ice Cube's interpretation of The War of the Worlds. Content (11:44) - Discussion of The Night Chough, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz and Phil discuss the surprisingly human need to have a computer friend. Content (6:45) - General Discussion of The Devil in a Forest, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz and Phil discuss the results of a recent personality quiz. Content (5:53) - Discussion of Chapters 17 - 22 of The Devil in a Forest, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil and Metz discuss the museums they saw while on vacation. Content (12:11) - Discussion of Chapters 12 - 16 of The Devil in a Forest, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

In which the Unreliable Narrators discuss Gene Wolfe's short story "Wolfer." First Published in the anthology Wild Women and later collected in Innocents Aboard.

Intro - Phil and Metz discuss the museums they saw while on vacation. Content (13:14) - Discussion of Chapters 6 - 11 of The Devil in a Forest, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Two wonderful guests return to the show, the editor of Plough and Mere Orthodoxy, Susannah (Black) Roberts, and poet and playwright, Jane Scharl. We discuss Rudolf Otto's The Idea of the Holy and the “Numinous”, which is a term he coined in that book. The goal of this discussion is to talk about the concept of the Numinous and where it can be found in fantasy fiction. We specifically discuss the works of C. S. Lewis, Gene Wolfe, Tim Powers, Kenneth Grahame, Arthur Machen, and George MacDonald. We also discuss mysticism in Christianity, holy fear, and much more. If you want to know how an experience of the Numinous can unmake you, then check this episode out!Susannah can be found on Twitter.com at @suzania and her work can be found at https://www.plough.com/ https://mereorthodoxy.com/Susannah Black Roberts (substack)Jane can be found on Twitter.com at @JcScharl and she writes at J.C. Scharl (substack).Jane's poetry and plays can be found on her website,https://jcscharl.com/*************************************************************************************************************Follow me on Twitter @AaronIrberSubscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@imightbelieveinfaeries7563Subscribe to my Substack - for updates on the show, essays, and more!Donate to my Patreon - I Might Believe in Faeries https://www.patreon.com/imightbelieveinfaeriesLike my Facebook page - I Might Believe in FaeriesBattle Of The Creek by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Logo Art by Linnea Kisby************************************************************************************************************* This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronirber.substack.com/subscribe

Intro - Metz and Phil celebrate 9 years of podcasting Content (9:40) - Discussion of the Prologue through Chapter 5 of The Devil in a Forest, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil introduces Metz to the world of reading accessories. Content (10:44) - General Discussion of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz and Phil explore the implications of the biannual Garfield Gathering. Content (5:41) - Discussion of Chapter 25 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil and Metz finally get to talking about Blue Prince. Content (11:36) - Discussion of Part 2 of Chapter 24 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Stars My Destination, by Alfred Bester Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz and Phil discuss what it's like to re-record an entire episode of the podcast. Content (7:08) - Discussion of Part 1 of Chapter 24 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Stars My Destination, by Alfred Bester Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz and Phil examine the job aspirations of Gen Alpha. Content (8:18) - Discussion of Part 2 of Chapter 23 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Stars My Destination, by Alfred Bester Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil tells Metz about the experience of shopping for bookends. Content (7:08) - Discussion of Part 1 of Chapter 23 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - The Stars My Destination, by Alfred Bester Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz asks Phil to tell him about Expedition 33. Content (7:51) - Discussion of Part 2 of Chapter 22 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Neuromancer, by William Gibson Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil updates Metz on new Palworld developments Content (6:59) - Discussion of Part 1 of Chapter 22 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Neuromancer, by William Gibson Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil tells Metz about some prominent Star Wars litigation. Content (6:58) - Discussion of Chapter 21 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Neuromancer, by William Gibson Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Metz and Phil discuss the productivity game Ithya Magic Studies Content (11:19) - Discussion of Part 2 of Chapter 20 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Neuromancer, by William Gibson Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil introduces Metz to the world of LitRPGs Content (10:04) - Discussion of Part 1 of Chapter 20 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Neuromancer, by William Gibson Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

Intro - Phil and Metz talk about The Day the Earth Blew Up Content (8:18) - Discussion of Part 2 of Chapter 19 of In Green's Jungles, by Gene Wolfe. This Month's Read-Along - Suldrun's Garden, by Jack Vance. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.