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Monthly Mystery: John Dickson Carr's "The Seat of the Scornful"

Join in as we discuss this month’s mystery novel: John Dickson Carr’s The Seat of the Scornful, a cult classic from the master of the locked room mystery . . . that isn’t a locked room mystery. As always we discuss the big picture view before digging into the categories. Thanks for the support and happy listening. And be sure to let us know what you thought of this one in the comment below! Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment or share this episode.

The Great Gatsby: The Final Chapters

It’s a bit late, but better late than never, right? Apologies for the delay! The upload speeds weren’t great in the English countryside. All the same, we’ve come to the end of The Great Gatsby, which means it’s time to talk about some of the most memorable passages in American literature. Join us as we dig in. Happy listening! Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment or share this episode.

The Great Gatsby: Chapter 4-6

Welcome back to our series on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, in which we discuss his best novelistic skills, including his ability to deal in subtext while also creating mood. Plus: the way the book explores the dissonance between desire and reality, whether any of these characters have any interest in (or capacity to see) higher things, and much more. Happy listening! Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment or share this episode.

The Betrothed: The Final Chapters

And so we come to the end of Alessandro Manzoni’s classic novel. In this episode we discuss whether the book’s ending (especially the resolution to Lucia and Renzo’s relationship) is satisfying, the way Manzoni deals with Lucia’s vow, and what the book ultimately seems to have been concerned with. Happy listening! Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment or share this episode.

The Great Gatsby: Chapters 1-3

Welcome to a new series of episodes on another wonderful book. It’s our first re-read here on Close Reads and it’s timely, too, since The Great Gatsby just turned 100 years old! So join in as we discuss what’s made F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel last a century, what makes Nick Carraway a compelling narrator, the tragic longing at the nostalgic core of the story, and much more. Happy listening! Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment or share this episode.