Episode Archives

Ep 209: A Challenge You Have Overcome

Discussion Notes: A Challenge You Have Overcome

This week’s story: A Challenge You Have Overcome by Allegra Goodman 

Next week’s story: The Husband Stitch by Carmen Maria Machado 

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “A Challenge You Have Overcome” by Allegra Goodman, a story about an older couple who feel stuck in their careers and whose youngest son is applying to colleges. Our hosts discuss the story’s strong start and how it deviated from their expectations, for better or worse. 

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Ep 208: Hollow

Discussion Notes: Hollow

This week’s story: Hollow by Breece D’J Pancake 

Next week’s story: A Challenge Your Have Overcome by Allegra Goodman 

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “Hollow” by Breece D’J Pancake, the story of Buddy, a coal miner in West Virginia, his community, and his humble dreams. This story split our hosts. Gerald and Anais gush about the genius of this subtle story. Meanwhile Andy, while agreeing with their analysis, strongly dislikes the story. It gets contentious!

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Ep 207: Fatima, the Biloquist

Discussion Notes: Fatima, the Biloquist

This week’s story: Fatima, the Biloquist by Nafissa Thompson-Spires 

Next week’s story: Hollow by Breece D’J Pancake 

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “Fatima, the Biloquist” by Nafissa Thompson-Spires, a story of a young, nerdy black girl in a predominantly white neighborhood who is struggling to reconcile her multitudes. She meets a friend who is self-possessed and has opinions on identity. We loved this story and it provoked a great discussion.

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Ep 206: Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit

Discussion Notes: Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit

This week’s story: Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit by Rebecca Curtis 

Next week’s story: Fatima, the Biloquist: A Transformation Story by Nafissa Thompson-Spires 

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit” by Rebecca Curtis, a modern twist on a classic fairytale, with a hunter, a talking cat, and evil parents and sisters. All three hosts appreciated the story’s clever craft and strong start, but ended the story feeling like something was missing. They dig into what it could be.

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Ep 205: The Paper Tiger

Discussion Notes: The Paper Tiger

This week’s story: The Paper Tiger by Lindsay Kennedy 

Next week’s story: Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit by Rebecca Curtis 

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “The Paper Tiger” by Lindsay Kennedy, a whimsical story of biblical proportions of a girl with a strong moral compass and her tiger friend. The story is a wonderful read and charmed all three hosts. We urge you to read it!

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Ep 204: The Hunter’s Wife

Discussion Notes: The Hunter’s Wife

This week’s story: The Hunter’s Wife by Anthony Doerr 

Next week’s story: The Paper Tiger by Lindsay Kennedy 

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “The Hunter’s Wife” by Anthony Doerr, a story of a Montana hunter and his estranged, magically gifted wife. All three hosts heaped a ton of praise on this flawless story. Six out six ratings across the board. The discussion may have suffered due to all the fawning, but for aspiring writers, the fawning may prove instructive.

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Ep 203: Every Tiny Tooth and Claw

Discussion Notes: Every Tiny Tooth and Claw

This week’s story: Every Tiny Tooth and Claw (or: Letters from the First Month of the New Directorate) by Marissa Lingen 

Next week’s story: The Hunter’s Wife by Anthony Doerr 

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “Every Tiny Tooth and Claw (or: Letters from the First Month of the New Directorate)” by Marissa Lingen, a epistolary story of academic wizards trying to survive the rise of a fascist regime. The story prompted a deep discussion of the fantasy genre, the short story format, world building, and magic systems.

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Ep 202: The Daughters of the Moon

Discussion Notes: The Daughters of the Moon

This week’s story: The Daughters of the Moon – Italo Calvino – Literary Roadhouse Ep 202 

Next week’s story: Every Tiny Tooth and Claw (or: Letters from the First Month of the New Directorate) by Marissa Lingen 

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “The Daughters of the Moon” by Italo Calvino, a story of a consumerist society in a city that lived long ago in a different world. No longer charmed by the aging moon, they throw it in a junkyard, and it’s up to the daughters of the Moon to restore her. 

It’s a fanciful story told in a light but insightful tone. Listen for a heated argument between Andy and Anais about the nature of sentient, car-driving mammoths!

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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 The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

 

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Ep 201: The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom

Discussion Notes: The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom

This week’s story: The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom by Evan S. Connell 

Next week’s story: The Daughters of the Moon by Italo Calvino 

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom” by Evan S. Connell, a story of a man who tells delightful, tall tales. The story charmed our hosts, but was the premise enough to win them over? 

Have thoughts on this story?

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Ep 200: Callme and Mink

Discussion Notes: Callme and Mink

This week’s story: Callme and Mink by Brenda Cooper 

Next week’s story: The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom by Evan S. Connell 

Rated: Clean

Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “Callme and Mink” by Brenda Cooper, a story about attachments, centered on a robot whose prime directive is to raise and give away dogs.

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 The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

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We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.