Short Fiction Focus: ”The Ugliest Pilgrim” by Doris Betts

Each month (starting now) we plan to bring you, our CRHQ subscribers, an episode about a great work of short fiction. Up first, we present this conversation about Doris Betts’ very discussable story, “The Ugliest Pilgrim,” which was recorded live at our first Close Reads on the Road event. You’ll hear us try to interpret some of the more difficult scenes (and themes) in the story, work towards understanding whether the story offers a moral vision for the world, and contemplate the spiritual questions it raises.

(PSA: This story does contain some difficult themes so you may not want to listen around your children.)

This is just the first of many such episodes, so we hope you enjoy. Happy listening!

Click here to find the full text of the story.

Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment or share this episode.