Literary Leviathans: Hunting the Great White Whales of Classic Literature
12 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★ - 1 ratingJoin brother and sister T. S. Russell and Elizabeth Bernadette as we embark on a quest after the great works of literature! Like the mythic leviathan, these are stories so monstrous in scope and depth that to merely touch them is to be changed forever. Our topics range from short stories by Flannery O’Connor to plays by Shakespeare to romance novels by Jane Austen.
Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission.
Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.
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Episodes
Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass"
November 05, 2019 19:35 - 22 minutes - 30.9 MBElizabeth 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....
Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"
October 30, 2019 18:10 - 25 minutes - 35.4 MBIn 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 Mic...
J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit"
October 15, 2019 12:00 - 27 minutes - 37.8 MBJ.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 permissio...
Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451"
October 04, 2019 20:18 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MB"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 perm...
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Little Prince"
September 24, 2019 10:00 - 32 minutes - 47.6 MBThe 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. Us...
George Orwell’s “1984” & “Animal Farm”
September 10, 2019 11:00 - 39 minutes - 54.2 MBPrepare 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 ...
Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women"
August 27, 2019 14:55 - 24 minutes - 33 MBElizabeth 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"
August 20, 2019 14:46 - 27 minutes - 38.2 MBTimothy 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"
August 13, 2019 11:00 - 20 minutes - 28.1 MBTimothy & 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 wi...
Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"
August 06, 2019 19:11 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBPride 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"
August 06, 2019 19:10 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBTimothy & 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"
August 06, 2019 19:10 - 30 minutes - 50.8 MBJoin 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.