Questioning the Canon
35 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsA little podcast that loves big books. You don't need to have read with us to enjoy the show as we always do a synopsis of the work as well as dive into the life and times of the author behind it. Our conversations vary and roam, but we always have a good time asking if each book we cover should be included in "the canon" of important novels.
Our show icon is by Jeremy Kanne at Smart Yeti.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
The Left Hand of Darkness
March 02, 2024 06:00 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBNow is the time to explore strange new alien civilizations, and thereby explore strange new ideas within ourselves with Ursula K. Le Guin's 1969 sci-fi classic The Left Hand of Darkness! We found a lot to engage with this month, especially in gender and how it impacts our personal lives and even how we think about ourselves. As humans, we may not have a physical shifting sexual identity like the citizens of Gethen, but perhaps how we think about ourselves can shift. Be aware, though, that ...
Kindred
February 03, 2024 06:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBNone of us can ever know what it was like to live the harrowing experience of being a black slave in America in the early 1800's, but Octavia Butler was determined to try and give her readers a taste in 1979's Kindred. While the book was not perfect, it did leave us asking and mulling over some important questions about who we are and who we might be in different situations. Plus we get to talk about mosquito born illnesses! Slip away with us and learn about some often overlooked roots of ...
Hamlet
January 06, 2024 06:00 - 1 hour - 64.9 MBLet us sit upon the ground and listen to nerdy podcasts about the death of kings. Alas, poor Hamlet! We reviewed it, dear listener! There was so much ground to cover in this legendary play by William Shakespeare and we mulled over wordplay, anachronisms, and a surprising amount of historical religious talk. As this is one of Felicia's favorite plays and the first time Ben has read it, there was a lively conversation to be had all around. Let's go to the theater tonight, it's only a penny...
Slaughterhouse-Five or The Children's Crusade
December 09, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 75.2 MBIt can be hard putting your life back together after the traumas of war, especially if you are perceiving different portions of your life out of order. Or at least you think you are. Come unstuck with us as we wander passively through the life and times of Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse-Five and the many events that were inspired from author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s life. We had a blast talking about aliens, post-modernism, and current treatments for ancient psychiatric conditions. Listen al...
The Secret History
November 11, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBIt's time we come clean about something with you...we covered the Secret History by Donna Tartt and we just can't hold it in any longer. Listen in on our confessions of researching the details of the murder filled book along with the mysterious life of its author. We also ask the question, should studying Classics be killed off once and for all? The weather is getting colder, put on your houndstooth jacket and let's go for a walk by the ravine.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus
October 14, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 70 MBThe pumpkins are out, the wind is getting colder, it's time to hit the books and resurrect the dead! This month, we climb the glaciers of Switzerland and explore the involved and fascinating life of Frankenstein's author Mary Shelley. Further, we doggedly pursue topics including forceps delivery, the Year Without a Summer, and whatever Kenneth Branagh was trying to do with the 1994 film. If you don't deal with this episode now, you'll be haunted by it forever.
A Wrinkle In Time
September 16, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBCome along with us as we try to rescue ourselves from our youngest demographically targeted book yet, A Wrinkle In Time! While we may not cover impossible distances instantaneously, we do cover our regular broad range of topics, this time including child prodigies, maturity, and Ben Franklin quotes taken badly out of context. If you want to fight It and the Darkness, all you need to do is tune into this episode. And probably some other things, too, but never mind that.
Fight Club
August 19, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 86 MBThis month we're going underground talking about the book, movie, and phenomena that is Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club. We break the first two rules of the club pretty brazenly as we discuss masculinity, facing your feelings honestly, and "hitting rock bottom", whatever that means. We even discuss having more than one perspective on life in our medical corner. If tonight is your first time with Questioning the Canon...then you have to listen.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
July 22, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 71.7 MBFor America's birthday month, we decided to peruse Mark Twain's much discussed Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. There were so many topics to cover including geography, the long-term effects of alcoholism, river travel, and, of course, the unique life of the author himself. What better way to pass a hot July afternoon than floating down the podcast river with us? Everyone aboard? We're casting off!
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
June 24, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 67.7 MBSet out with us on our summer reading journey with the Hobbit by the wizard himself, J.R.R. Tolkien. We find a lot of comfortable knowledge holes to explore in our travels without too many bumps or things we wish we didn't know along the way. In our medical corner we give a shout out to Elizabeth Rowley and T1 International and the work they do to make insulin affordable and available for everyone, heroic work if there ever was such. Our discussion of Tolkien gets downright explosive, too,...
The Fountainhead
May 06, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 75.4 MBHere's quite a book for our season 3 opener! If you've ever been curious what the Fountainhead is and what it's all about, come join for a rousing discussion on this much pointed to tome. We dive into the details of Ayn Rand's life, her followers, and what exactly it means to be "truly selfish". We also discuss a particularly relevant medication that had a big influence on Rand's writing style. The most individualist thing you can do is listen to us! Also thank you to Jeremy Kanne for ou...
Watchmen
April 01, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 95.5 MBIn our giant-sized season closer, we square up against Alan Moore's seminal graphic novel Watchmen. This book contains so many details, nuggets, and plot elements that we had more than usual to say. Too much? You decide true, believer! We had a great time with this one, though, and are looking forward to what next season is going to bring, too. Ka-pow!
In Cold Blood
March 04, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 76.2 MBThe winds and rain of March seem like the perfect time to bring you our take on Truman Capote's true crime novel, In Cold Blood. In the episode, we discuss about the appeal of the true crime genre, prisons, and of course something relevant from the book in our medical corner. We had a lot to say and had a good time doing it was we careened recklessly from topic to topic like Dick and Perry careened around the country. Will we ever get caught? Tune in and find out!
The Color Purple
February 04, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBSometimes beautiful things are also very hard things and the Color Purple by Alice Walker is just like that. In our discussion we range over topics including abuse, racial tensions, and also the idea of rebuilding yourself after tremendous trauma. Our talk on the author, too, goes down some rabbit holes that I was frankly not expecting to go down. Appreciate the color purple and avoid pissing off God, join us!
The Bell Jar
January 07, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBPerhaps appropriate for January and the post-holidays slump, we take a look at the Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath's singular novel. As we swim out, we discuss honesty in writing, personality disorders, and even have a culinary portion where we try a "delicacy" from the book. There's much to discuss with this classic but if you expect nothing from us, you'll never be disappointed.
Little Women
December 03, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 79.3 MBOkay, hear me out, there was a lot more to talk about with Little Women than I thought there would be. We cartwheel over the topics of domesticity, sexual orientation, and transcendental history, all while wondering if Beth is going to pull through (spoiler, she's toast). If our train is on time, we hope to be home in time to surprise you for Christmas. Make a guy of it and paddle your own canoe!
The Kite Runner
November 05, 2022 05:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBIn this month's episode, we finally get around to reading a book I had deliberately been avoiding my whole life, The Kite Runner. I'm not exactly sure what made me want to read it, but coming back to things you've long been avoiding did to turn out to be on point at least. Come along with us as we discuss unfamiliar cultures, classes in society, and even lung cancer. For you, I'd do this a thousand times over.
Carrie
October 01, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 62.1 MBFor our October episode, we ran into the darkness with horror master Steven King and his first novel Carrie. We touch on high school trauma, anatomy, and have an in depth discussion on the life and works of King himself. Of course, we watched the 1976 Sissy Spacek film and of course we have plenty to say about that, too, as well as question what we really even mean by "the canon" to being with. Come get spooky with us!
Valley of the Dolls
September 03, 2022 15:15 - 1 hour - 64.6 MBCome along with us as we explore sex, drugs, and camp in Jacqueline Susann's bestseller Valley of the Dolls. We also...talk about the movie...yeesh. And because nothing's ever easy, we paired our conversation with a host of technical problems including the internet fuzzing out, portions needing rerecorded, and an apartment hallway smoke detector that needs new batteries! You'll find it all and in this month's episode, which, as always, for a ton of fun for us to make.
The Grapes of Wrath
August 06, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBIt's late summer and that means it's time to celebrate the great American road trip! Maybe this trip with the Joads wasn't so great after all, but the Grapes of Wrath sure was. Ride with us in our podcast jalopy as we talk about unions, socialism, and sticking up for the little guy, all the while trying to keep the fambly together. We got just a dollar in the tank, we can make it.
Ender's Game
July 02, 2022 05:00 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBNext on our summer reading list, we voyage into a little science fiction with Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. We dig into biases, warfare, and latent messages within the book and it turns out there was a lot of important topics to talk about. Suit up! We've got Battle in five minutes!
To Kill a Mockingbird
June 04, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBPerhaps you've heard of this little book? For our summer reading, we start with To Kill a Mockingbird and discuss not only its obvious racial implications but also the creative writing process, world building, and character development. Stay tuned and you may even learn why outhouses were important (spoiler, it's not what you're thinking!). Our podcast icon is by Jeremy Kanne Our intro and outro music is "Piggly Wiggly" by the Johnny Dodds Trio
Emma
May 07, 2022 05:00 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBHere we go on season 2! We're very excited to bring you our discussion on what is probably Jane Austen's third most famous book, Emma. We cover a wide range of topics including topiaries and cognitive biases but, most importantly, the risks that come with meddling in other people's affairs. Fetch the carriage! Our podcast icon is by Jeremy Kanne Our intro and outro music is "Piggly Wiggly" by the Johnny Dodds Trio
Maus
April 02, 2022 05:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBWe saved a GREAT book to round out season one and we threw ourselves a little party. Despite covering such a crushing and dour topic, our conversation on Art Spiegelman's brilliant Maus was lively and fun. You can mix up your own szarlotka or just sip on some apple juice if you'd prefer. Here, have some cheese. Settle in for a story.
Invisible Man
March 05, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBThis month we dive into the difficult journey of the complicated narrator in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. This novel provides a million important things for us to talk about and we have our typical good time doing it. It goes without saying that most of the points about racism presented in this 1952 book still resonant strongly today.
Catcher In the Rye
February 05, 2022 06:00 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBThis month we dive into J.D. Salinger's Catcher In the Rye and question why a 16 year old in New York would be so angry and disaffected in the first place. We learn a lot about the reclusive author of this American standard and have a lot of fun with our discussion. Let's solve the mystery of what happens to the ducks in the winter!
Wuthering Heights
January 01, 2022 06:00 - 56 minutes - 51.3 MBIt's time to talk about tortured love and obsession on the moors of Yorkshire. That's right, this month, we get into Emily Bronte's 1847 masterpiece Wuthering Heights. Put on something warm against the cold as we discuss status, affection, and silent infectious killers. This one was a romp and we hope you enjoy it! Happy New Year's!
A Separate Peace
December 04, 2021 06:00 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBThis month, we discuss developing feelings, lashing out, and living wounded in the WWII-era classic A Separate Peace. This book was a great read and ton of fun to talk about. We also attempted to get to the heart of the matter of what John Knowles wrote about his characters Gene and Finny (spoiler, they may have been more than friends).
The Fifth Mountain
November 06, 2021 05:00 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBLet's go to ancient Lebanon by way of Brazil, shall we? In this month's episode, we dive deep into the life of author Paulo Coelho, the prophet Elijah, and ideas around self-worth and privilege. Also, before anyone comes at me, yes, I know there is no such biblical person as "King Daniel", I meant King David. All of my Sunday school teachers are shaking their heads at me, surely.
The Haunting of Hill House
October 02, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 39.4 MBCome explore spooky hallways and isolated estates with us as we discuss Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House. This book was a lot of fun but also disturbing at points. We definitely had fun talking about it and its numerous film adaptations. This makes Liam Neeson appearance number two in our podcast so far...
This Side of Paradise
September 04, 2021 05:00 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBThis month we cover F. Scott Fitzgerald's first and career making novel This Side of Paradise. My money is that you've never read this and you can hear about it with us! Maybe grab a drink, like we did...
Their Eyes Were Watching God
August 07, 2021 05:00 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBWe get swept up in this true American classic by Zora Neal Hurston. In this episode we cover Halle Berry, mules, and rabies, just to name a few appropriate topics.
Blood Meridian, Or, the Evening Redness In the West
July 03, 2021 05:00 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBLet's head out west to experience one of the most merciless books we've ever read. You've probably heard about Blood Meridian before, but you've definitely never seen the movie (let's pray they never make it). To be fair, though, we at least had a good time discussing the book. Giddy-Up!
The Martian Chronicles
June 05, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBThe month, we take off into Ray Bradbury's fix-up novel The Martian Chronicles. Arguably Bradbury's second most famous book, we cover a wide a variety of themes found in the book, but, also importantly, themes that are noticeably absent.
Ethan Frome
April 28, 2021 20:53 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBOur first episode! We decided to start with the most dreary book we've read in a long long time, Ethan Frome! Get ready for cold hearts, cold roads, and sledding accidents!