Discussion Notes: The Swimmer

This week we’re replaying an episode from our archive! We picked this story because it’s one of our favorite discussions to date.

Find this week’s rewind story here: The Swimmer by John Cheever.

Next week’s story: Saint Bus Driver by J. E. McCafferty

Rated: Clean

Maya couldn’t join us this week, but never fear, Gerald, Rammy, and Anais tackle John Cheever’s classic short story “The Swimmer.” While Gerald and Anais enjoyed the broad commentary on suburban and married life, Rammy hoped for more specifics on The Swimmer missteps to better understand the downturn in his fortunes. When it comes to prose, our hosts remark on Cheever’s skill in maintain a mystery without frustrating the reader and touching on dark themes while keeping the tone light.

Have thoughts on this story?

Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter @litroadhouse or in our FB group.

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We’re still a self-funded podcast. We work hard every week to bring you the best content possible.

Psst: Full list of short stories discussed on the podcast >>

Discussion Notes: The Five-Forty-Eight

Find this week’s story here:  The Five-Forty-Eight by John Cheever

Next week’s story, a Halloween Special: Listen to an audio version of The Crowd by Ray Bradbury

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Rammy, and Anais discuss “The Five-Forty-Eight” by John Cheever. All three hosts loved this story, which was remarkably similar in theme and protagonist to last week’s story, but very different in terms of style, mood, prose, and tension. Cheever’s story is full of symbols that allude to the monotony of mediocre, suburban life, and the men who feel entitled within it. If you enjoyed this discussion, be sure to listen to last week’s discussion on “A Rich Man” by Edward P. Jones.

Note: Although Anais wins the game at the end, our discussion of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek” by Ambrose Bierce will not post until the first week of November. Next week it’s Halloween and we’re enjoying a spooky Ray Bradbury treat!

Have thoughts on this story?

Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter @litroadhouse or in our FB group.

Join the Literary Roadhouse Readers FB Group

Support us on Patreon

We’re still a self-funded podcast. We work hard every week to bring you the best content possible.

Psst: Full list of short stories discussed on the podcast >>

Discussion Notes: The Swimmer

Find this week’s story here: The Swimmer by John Cheever.

Next week’s story: The 100th Episode! We’re revisiting The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin.

Rated: Clean

Maya couldn’t join us this week, but never fear, Gerald, Rammy, and Anais tackle John Cheever’s classic short story The Swimmer. While Gerald and Anais enjoyed the broad commentary on suburban and married life, Rammy hoped for more specifics on The Swimmer missteps to better understand the downturn in his fortunes. When it comes to prose, our hosts remark on Cheever’s skill in maintain a mystery without frustrating the reader and touching on dark themes while keeping the tone light.

Next week we celebrate out 100th episode! We’re going to re-examine the first short story we’ve ever discussed on the show!

Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below!

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Lastly, your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.