Anais Concepcion
Ep 166: The Red Tower by Thomas Ligotti
Discussion Notes: The Red Tower by Thomas Ligotti
This week’s story: The Red Tower by Thomas Ligotti
Next week’s story: Granma’s Porch by Alexia Tolas
Rated: Clean
At the request of a listener, Andy, Gerald, and Anais discuss “The Red Tower” by Thomas Ligotti. Andy, who was looking forward to reading a Ligotti short story, was disappointed, but Anais was thrilled. In part she was thrilled because she found what she believed to be an obvious metaphor wherein The Red Tower is a representation of the human mind. Her confidence is rocked when no one else – not even other reviewers on the internet – share her view. Gerald learns what creepypasta is.
Andy’s recommendation: Read “The Stairs and the Doorway” by unxmaal on Reddit.
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The Escape | John L’Heureux | Literary Roadhouse Ep 165
Discussion Notes: The Escape
This week’s story: The Escape by John L’Heureux
Next week’s story: The Red Tower by Thomas Ligotti
Rated: Clean
Andy, Gerald, and Anais discuss “The Escape” by John L’Heureux. “The Escape” is the brilliantly told story of Eddie Prior, a pragmatic family man who faces Parkinson’s in late life and grapples with the disease alongside a newfound appreciation for painting which, as the disease progresses, becomes increasingly not pragmatic. All three hosts absolutely loved the story’s sheer genius, though Anais for some reason struggled to leave her analytical brain to embrace the reader brain. Andy in particular enjoyed the story because the author is a former Jesuit priest, which Andy argues on the show is the coolest kind of priest.
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Black Leopard Red Wolf | Marlon James | Literary Roadhouse Bookclub Ep 26
Discussion Notes: Black Leopard Red Wolf
For this discussion we read Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James.
In two weeks we will read The Bridegroom Was a Dog by Yoko Tawada.
Rated: Exlicit. SUPER Explicit!
We were supposed to release this book discussion in April. However, this book really did a number of Gerald, Colette and Anais. The gratuitous violence and sexual violence made the book difficult to read. We finally discussed it in May, and were slow to publish for similarly anguished reasons.
We start the discussion by focusing on what we did like about the book, and there was a lot to love and admire. James’s talent is undeniable. However those talents were at times difficult to appreciate. There was too much unnecessary (and at times borderline silly) violence to get through. We reserve our rants for the last 15 minutes of the discussion.
We will be releasing the next three book discussion two weeks apart to help us get back on schedule.
Please leave an iTunes review! It helps us attract a wider audience and keep growing.
We air the first Friday of every month, and discuss the books on Twitter between shows using #LRHBookclub.
We’d love to hear from you
Did we miss something? 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 books discussed on the podcast >>
Ross Perot and China | Ben Lerner | Literary Roadhouse Ep 164
Discussion Notes: Ross Perot and China
This week’s story: Ross Perot and China by Ben Lerner
Next week’s story: The Escape by John L’Heureux
Rated: Clean
Andy, Gerald, and Anais discuss “Ross Perot and China” by Ben Lerner. Gerald and Andy did not care for the story which Anais loved. In particular she loved the theme that dwelled on the contrast between predictable aesthetics versus the unknowable interiors of minds and of homes. She valiantly defends the story, and even convinces Andy to consider a different theme. But can she convince him to raise his rating?
We apologize for Anais’s subpar audio today. She was traveling during the recording of this episode and did not have her usual set up.
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 >>