Podcasts
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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Psst: Full list of short stories discussed on the podcast >>
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.
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We air the first Friday of every month, and discuss the books on Twitter between shows using #LRHBookclub.
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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 >>
Three Friends in a Hammock | April Ayers Lawson | Literary Roadhouse Ep 163
Discussion Notes: Three Friends in a Hammock
This week’s story: Three Friends in a Hammock by April Ayers Lawson
Next week’s story: Ross Perot and China by Ben Lerner
Rated: Clean
Andy, Gerald, and Anais discuss “Three Friends in a Hammock” by April Ayers Lawson and dig into themes centered on friendship and whether or not love is real. Our hosts appreciated the depth of the story’s insights into human relationships. However, something was missing for all three hosts, something that prevented a more robust enjoyment of the story. Through discussion, they dig deep into what that is.
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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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The Palm Tree Bandit | Nnedi Okorafor | Literary Roadhouse Ep 162
Discussion Notes: The Palm Tree Bandit
This week’s story: The Palm Tree Bandit by Nnedi Okorafor
Next week’s story: Three Friends in a Hammock by April Ayers Lawson
Rated: Clean
Andy, Gerald, and Anais discuss “The Palm Tree Bandit” by Nnedi Okorafor. This African fairytale enchants all three hosts alike. Anais appreciated the story’s feminist themes that were cloaked in a vibrant village that felt both modern and timeless. Andy enjoyed the local legend of the Palm Tree Bandit who manifests with fantastical features, while Gerald appreciated the framing device’s clever ability to keep the story within certain expectations. But could the child-friendly narrative hold all three hosts’ attentions for long?
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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 >>
The Demon Lover | Elizabeth Bowen | Literary Roadhouse Ep 161
Discussion Notes: The Demon Lover
This week’s story: The Demon Lover by Elizabeth Bowen
Next week’s story: The Palm Tree Bandit by Nnedi Okorafor
Rated: Clean
Andy, Gerald, and Anais discuss “The Demon Lover” by Elizabeth Bowen. “The Demon Lover” is Bowen’s most anthologized story. Published in 1945, this frightful tale is set in World War II London in an area of Kensington that’s been bombed and near deserted.
True to form, the Literary Roadhouse hosts have much to debate about this spooky story. Anais proposes a psychological reading of the demon. Does she manage to convince her co-hosts? Or, as Andy wonders, does it even matter? Will this new interpretation of the story help Gerald see past some issues he had with the prose?
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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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 >>