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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.

A Mailbag Episode

We’re in between books so we answered as many of your questions as we could—which is to say, this is one of those wide-ranging episodes on a variety of topics. Snack foods, book organization, novels we wish we wrote, protecting the canon, Lewis or Tolkien, and much more. Hope you enjoy! Until next time, happy reading. Up next: Chapters 1-3 of The Great Gatsby. Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment or share this episode.

The Betrothed: Chapters 29-32

Welcome back to our ongoing series on Alessandro Manzoni’s classic Italian novel. This week we discuss Manzoni’s approach to presenting the historical context of the novel, and why he doesn’t present it as much through the doings of the characters. Plus, more on Don Abbondio’s possible change in character (or lack thereof), who the book’s villain is, and much more. Thanks for subscribing and happy listening! Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment or share this episode.

Piranesi: Q&A Episode

You had questions; we did our best to answer them. It’s the Piranesi Q&A episode. Happy listening! Up next: An ask-us-anything mailbag episode, then we’ll be kicking off a new series on The Great Gatsby. Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment or share this episode.