Podcast Episodes

The Scarlet Letter: Final Chapters

And so we come to the end of another novel! Join David, Heidi, and Karen as they dig into the ending of Hawthorne’s novel, with special attention paid to Pearl’s role. Plus: how does the genre play i…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

The Scarlet Letter: Chapters 14-19

Heidi is in Greece this week (!), but David Kern and Karen Swallow Prior are back to continue this series on The Scarlet Letter. Topics of conversation include the way Hawthorne uses the setting to t…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

The Scarlet Letter: Chapters 9-13

Does this book offer an alternative vision to the spiritual corruption that it criticizes? How would it be different if Hawthorne was lest on-the-nose with his metaphors and character names? Join Dav…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

The Scarlet Letter: Chapters 4-8

Join David, Heidi, and special guest, Karen Swallow Prior, for a conversation about this very famous and much-taught novel. Conversation touches on why this book has such a significant role in Americ…

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

The Scarlet Letter: Customs House - Chapter 3

It’s become an annual tradition to invite the one-and-only Karen Swallow Prior on the show to discuss a classic novel, and this time around it’s Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, The Scarlet Letter. In this fir…

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

The Optimist's Daughter: Q&A

You have questions, we’ve got thoughts! So click that play button and dig into this conversation on The Optimist’s Daughter!

Please note: next week we will be off, but after that we will begin conver…

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

The Optimist's Daughter: Parts 3 & 4

What’s up with the birds? Is Fay even more despicable than we initially considered? Is the ending hopeful? Join David, Heidi, and Sean as they discuss these—and many other—questions on this week’s di…

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

The Optimist's Daughter: Parts 1 and 2

Welcome to a new series of episodes on a new book! This week David, Heidi, and Sean are digging into Eudora Welty’s Pulitzer Prize winner, discussing such topics as the book’s similarities to Jane Au…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

The Diary of a Country Priest: Q&A Episode

Join Heidi and Sean as they answer your questions about Georges Bernanos’ novel! Thanks so much for participating in the conversation and happy listening!

Up next, we’ll be discussing Eudora Welty’s …

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

The Diary of a Country Priest: Chapters 7-8 (Finis)

This week Sean & Heidi discuss the priest’s last days, his four final encounters, the purpose of the diary, and the mingling of grace and suffering that pervades the novel.

JOIN US FOR “CLOSE READS O…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago