Shows
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 126: Is That a Good Book?Is that a good book? It sounds like a simple question. But what does “good” actually mean? In this episode, Trevor and Paul explore the many ways a book can be good. They also reflect on how star ratings and quick takes, as much as we love them, can compress our responses, and why slowing down and considering why a book is “good”might deepen our relationship with the books we love.2026 Novella Book ClubWe have announced the four novellas we will be reading for The Mookse and Gripes Novella Book Club in 2026!* Janu...
2026-02-191h 07
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 125: Flannery O'ConnorIn this author-focused episode, we dive into the strange, funny, violent, and unsettling world of Flannery O’Connor. We talk about what surprised us most in her stories and novels, why her work still provokes such strong reactions, and what it’s like to read her closely today. As always, this is a conversation driven by curiosity, not expertise, and please accept our invitation to read along with us!2026 Novella Book ClubWe have announced the four novellas we will be reading for The Mookse and Gripes Novella Book Club in 2026!* January: Daisy Mill...
2026-02-051h 43
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 124: Books We Wish We Could Read for the First Time AgainWe’ve all said it: “I wish I could read that again for the first time.” But what do we really mean when we say it? In this episode, Trevor and Paul explore the magic of first encounters with books. Is it about surprise? Youth? Timing? Being unprepared in the best possible way? Or is it about discovering not just a book, but a new way of reading, thinking, or feeling?Along the way, we talk about books that opened doors, books we read at exactly the right (or wrong) moment, what rereading gives us. A conversation about...
2026-01-221h 18
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 119: The Art (and Agony) of Book CullingThis week, Trevor and Paul are joined by Dorian Stuber of One Bright Book to talk about the difficult, liberating art of culling books. What does it mean to let go of the stories we’ve carried with us? Is it an act of loss, renewal, or self-knowledge? Together, they explore the philosophy, guilt, and quiet joy that come from pruning one’s shelves.2026 Novella Book ClubWe are excited to announce the four novellas we will be reading for The Mookse and Gripes Novella Book Club in 2026!* January: Daisy Miller, by Henry Jame...
2025-11-131h 44
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 118: Whole Body Reading: Reading, Walking and Well-BeingIn this special on-the-go episode, Trevor and Paul take the podcast out for a walk. As they wander, Trevor reflects on how he’s lost 40 pounds over the past few months and discovered ways to bring books into every part of his daily rhythm. From audiobooks on long walks to reading as recovery, the conversation explores what it means to make reading not just a mental habit, but a full-body experience. This shorter episode captures the joy of movement, conversation, and the steady companionship of books.We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the fore...
2025-10-3037 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 117: Losing the Plot: On Reading Slumps and How We Find Our Way BackWe’ve all been there: the books are piled high, but nothing calls out. In this episode, Trevor and Paul talk about reading slumps—what they look like, what brings them on, and how to find the spark again. From work stress to life interruptions to simple reader fatigue, we explore how to rediscover the joy of the page and the role of community in keeping reading alive.We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read...
2025-10-161h 25
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 116: A World Brimming Over: Abundant Literature and The Portrait of a LadySome books are long, some are short, but certain works feel abundant—overflowing with rhythm, atmosphere, and depth that can’t be exhausted in a single reading. In this episode we are joined by Lori Feathers, and we set as our foundation Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady to explore what makes a work abundant. We move through other examples, asking what defines abundances, how it differs from size or ambition, and why these books matter.We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty o...
2025-10-021h 38
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 115: Kazuo IshiguroIn this episode, Trevor and Paul turn their attention to Nobel Prize–winner Kazuo Ishiguro, whose eight novels over the past forty years have earned both admiration and debate. Together, we trace Ishiguro’s remarkable range: the restrained heartbreak of Remains of the Day, the dream-logic labyrinth of The Unconsoled, the quiet devastation of Never Let Me Go, the ambitious allegory of The Buried Giant, and the AI exploration of Klara and the Sun. Along the way, we weigh Ishiguro’s signature themes of memory, regret, art, and the stories we tell ourselves—and ask what makes him one of the m...
2025-09-182h 02
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 114: Through a Glass, Darkly: Entering Schattenfroh and Other Books that Refuse to Yield at OnceThis week we are joined by translator Max Lawton to celebrate the release of Michael Lenz’s Schattenfroh from Deep Vellum. But rather than focus only on this one book, we open the conversation to a wider theme: the joy of reading books that resist. These are works that don’t give themselves up on a first pass, that refuse to be solved, that instead teach us how to read them as we go. With Schattenfroh as our starting point, we wander through the labyrinths of these kinds of books, asking why surrounding to the unknown might be one of t...
2025-09-041h 15
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 113: Starter Libraries: A Shelf Full of PromisesWhat does it take to build the perfect first shelf? This week we tackle the joyful—and surprisingly stressful—task of creating a starter library. We’re joined by John Williams, book editor at The Washington Post, to discuss how to choose ten books that someone can use as a starter library, offering comfort, surprise, and a little stretch along the way. We compare approaches, confess our struggles, and share the shelves we’d hand to a friend ready build their personal library.We’d love to hear from you—what books would make it onto your own starter...
2025-08-211h 33
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 111: Two Friends Walk into a Bookstore: A Day Out with Trevor and PaulThis week’s episode comes with poor sound quality and excellent vibes. For the first time ever, Paul and Trevor met in person! Join us as we take the show on the road—through bookstores, libraries, and one unforgettable day of literary wandering. From the cozy aisles of The King’s English to the rarified shelves of Moon’s Rare Books, with stops at Poppy’s Books and the Salem City Library (Trevor’s wife makes as cameo!), this episode is a roving celebration of bookish friendship. We apologize in advance for the audio, but we hope you enjoy this day out...
2025-07-2441 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 110: The End: Last Lines That Stick the LandingHow do you wrap up a great book? in this episode, Paul and Trevor dive into the final sentences that left them stunned, satisfied, or haunted. From quiet farewells to explosive conclusions, we’re celebrating the art of the last line—and how a final passage can reshape everything that came before.What’s a last line that you’ll never forget?We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These ep...
2025-07-101h 44
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 98: City BooksFrom glistening skyscrapers and bustling downtowns to dark alleys and creeping urban decay, cities are endlessly complicated and diverse. And so are the books that take place in urban settings. This week, we share some of our favorite city books and chat about what makes these environments so fascinating. What are your favorites?ShownotesBooks* Pink Slime, by Fernanda Trías, translated by Heather Cleary* Middlemarch, by George Eliot* Lies and Sorcery, by Elsa Morante, translated by Jenny McPhee* Swann’s Way, by Marcel Proust
2025-01-231h 16
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 90: Essays, Part IThis week’s episode is all about essays! From nature writing, to reviews and criticism, to personal reflections and familiar essays, this form offers something for everyone. In this episode, we share our thoughts and experiences, including our go-to varieties and favorite examples. What are yours?ShownotesBooks* The Woman in Black, by Susan Hill* Suttree, by Cormac McCarthy* We Solve Murders, by Richard Osman* The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman* Herscht 07769, by László Krasznahorkai, translated by Ottilie Mulzet* The Emporium: A He...
2024-10-031h 38
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 89: Benchwarmer BooksWe all have those books that are waiting in the wings, begging for a chance to make their way off the shelf and into our hands. This week, we chat about why some books seem to get stuck on the sidelines, even though we always think they’ll be the next one up. We discuss some of the reasons this happens and each share five of our own benchwarmer books, doing our best to justify why we keep ignoring their pleas to “put me in coach!”ShownotesBooks* Horror Movie, by Paul Tremblay...
2024-09-191h 25
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 88: Women in TranslationTo close out Women In Translatjon month, we’re thrilled to be joined by poet and translator Robin Myers. We chat about the art of translation and the importance of providing access to and for wide a range of voices. And we each share three translated books written by women that we think you should know about. What did you read this year during #WITMonth?ShownotesBooks* The Brush, by Eliana Hernández-Pachón, translated by Robin Myers* The Forgery, by Ave Barrera, translated by Robin Myers and Ellen Jones...
2024-09-051h 41
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 87: The Story of Lucy GaultThis week, we are joined from Down Under by veteran book blogger Kim Forrester to discuss our 2024 summer read, William Trevor’s The Story Of Lucy Gault. We discuss this heartbreaking, beautiful book, chat about William Trevor’s other works and make some recommendations (and plans) about where to go next. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did—and we’d love to hear your thoughts on the book, the author, and what you plan to read next!ShownotesBooks* Go Tell It on the Mountain, by James Baldwin* G...
2024-08-221h 32
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 86: Our Favorite Ten Books of the 21st Century So FarThis week we have fun with all of the top books of the 21st century hype by sharing our own top 10 lists. We each killed a few darlings and made some very tough decisions. How did we do?What books would make your list?Summer Book ClubThe book for the Mookse and the Gripes Summer Book Club 2024 is William Trevor’s The Story of Lucy Gault. You can start reading it whenever you want to! We have lined up a guest to join us to discuss the book for the next episode!...
2024-08-081h 32
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 85: Roberto BolañoThis week we’re joined by super reader Ron Restrepo for a discussion about Roberto Bolaño, whom Rodrigo Fresan described as “one of a kind, a writer who worked without a net, who went all out, with no brakes, and in doing so created a new way to be a great Latin American writer.”Do we unlock the mysteries of Bolaño’s magic? Probably not. But we do have a great time digging into this fascinating author and his haunting books.Summer Book ClubThe book for the Mookse and the Gripes Sum...
2024-07-251h 37
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 84: Our Most Anticipated Releases from the Last Half of 2024This week we look ahead to the second half of 2024 and each share the five forthcoming books we’re most excited about . . . along with a few honorable mentions, of course.Which upcoming books are you most looking forward to?Summer Book ClubThe book for the Mookse and the Gripes Summer Book Club 2024 is William Trevor’s The Story of Lucy Gault. You can start reading it whenever you want to! We have lined up a guest to join us to discuss the book in Episode 86, coming out on August 8. That’s really soon!
2024-07-111h 25
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 83: Shelf ControlThis week’s episode is all about . . . books! To be specific, Trevor and Paul chat about their book shelves, diving into all kinds of fun topics. How many books do they own? Where do they keep them? How are they organized? Buying and culling habits? Even better, this episode features A LOT of great listener feedback as well. It’s the perfect chance to get nosey about your fellow bibliophiles!Summer Book ClubThe book for the Mookse and the Gripes Summer Book Club 2024 is William Trevor’s The Story of Lucy Gault. You can start...
2024-06-271h 29
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 82: Bucket List Books, Part IIThis week we turn back the clock and revisit our very first podcast topic: Bucket List Books! We check in on our progress over the last few years, discuss our philosophies and motivations, look ahead to our next bucket lists books, and share plenty of listener feedback. What books are on your bucket list—and why?Summer Book ClubThe book for the Mookse and the Gripes Summer Book Club 2024 is William Trevor’s The Story of Lucy Gault. You can start reading it whenever you want to! We have lined up a gues...
2024-06-131h 37
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 81: AudiobooksLooking to fit even more books into your life? We think audiobooks are a great solution. This week we chat about reading in different formats and settings and hen and how we both read audiobooks. We also share some of our favorite audio experiences, books, and authors!Summer Book ClubThe book for the Mookse and the Gripes Summer Book Club 2024 has been chosen! It was pretty darn close!The episode discussing The Story of Lucy Gault will be Episode 86, coming out on August 8.ShownotesBooks* The...
2024-05-301h 21
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 80: Facing the VoidHow do you fill the yawning chasm that arises after you finish a great book or a long group read? Is it a time of excitement and possibility, or a daunting and overwhelming trial? Fresh off of finishing several doorstops ourselves, we discuss how we approach what we want to read next.Summer Book ClubThe Mookse and the Gripes Summer Book Club 2024 is coming up fast! This year we are only choosing from William Trevor novels. After losing for the last two years, he will not lose again! But what will the book be...
2024-05-161h 25
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 79: Rediscovered GemsSo many great books have been published only to go out of print, for whatever reason. But they still have things to say to contemporary readers. Thankfully, there are several publishers whose work focuses on bringing these books back to us grateful readers. In this episode, we are are joined by Jacqui, who blogs at JacquiWine’s Journal, to discuss some of our favorite publishers who help us all rediscover gems. What are some of your favorite publishers and the gems they helped you rediscover?ShownotesBooks* And Then There Were None, by Ag...
2024-05-021h 22
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 77: PoetryHow do we love poetry? Let us count the ways. This week, we’re joined by Anthony Garrett to kick off National Poetry Month with a wonderful conversation about our favorite poems and poets, how and when we read poetry, and a discussion about how to approach this sometimes intimidating part of the literary landscape. Does poetry play a part in your reading life?We also announce the winners of our latest giveaway, so please join us!ShownotesBooks* Averno, by Louise Glück* The Obscene Bird of Night, by...
2024-04-041h 42
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 76: Author CompletionismThis week we discuss the idea of being a completist in our reading. We discuss the authors whose works we’ve finished completely, as well as those we’re working on (or hoping to…). Do you savor your favorite authors’ works slowly or gobble them all down? Have you read the entire catalog of any authors?We also have a special giveaway, so please join us!Giveaway!This week we have four books to give away! And we want to choose four winners! Do any of these books call to you? Please enter to win o...
2024-03-211h 18
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 75: Barbara ComynsAlthough the books of Barbara Comyns have experienced a bit of a renaissance in recent years, she remains woefully under appreciated and read by far too few. This week, we’re joined by Comyns aficionado Nora to discuss this beguiling and fascinating author and to do our best to spread the word about her strange and wonderful books.ShownotesBooks* My Death, by Lisa Tuttle* The Savage Detectives, by Roberto Bolaño, translated by Natasha Wimmer* Splinters: Another Kind of Love Stores, by Leslie Jamison* Not Even the...
2024-03-071h 23
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 74: Canadian LiteratureThis week, we're joined by Jerry Faust for a fun conversation about Canadian literature. Incredibly diverse and far too often overlooked, Canada’s literary output is a goldmine of wonderful books and authors. What are your favorites?Republic of Consciousness Prize, United States and CanadaAs you’ve heard on the podcast, Paul is a judge of this year’s prize. The longlist has been announced, and the shortlist is on the way!Would you like to join Paul at a Zoom party celebrating the longlist, with publishers, authors and translators? You can! It hap...
2024-02-221h 44
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 73: Hidden GemsThis week, we're joined by Shawn the Book Maniac for a fun discovery about one of his specialties: finding books that are hidden gems. We share some tips for finding great books that are off the beaten path, discuss why it's important and fun, and share three books each that you may never have heard of before—quite a challenge! Hopefully we will add at least one to your bookstore scavenger hunt list!What are your favorite books that fly under the radar?Shownotes* The Savage Detectives, by Roberto Bolaño, tra...
2024-02-081h 42
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 72: Characters on HolidayBooks and holidays go together perfectly, and not just for those of us doing the reading. This week, we talk about our favorite stories where the characters are on vacation—a perfect recipe for exploring exotic settings, quenching vicarious wanderlust, romance, adventure, and plenty more!We also announce the winner our latest giveaway!Shownotes* Germinal, by Émile Zola, translated by Peter Collier* The Sin of Abbé Mouret, by Émile Zola, translated by Valerie Minogue* A Love Story, by Émile Zola, translated by Helen Constantine* January, by Sara Gallar...
2024-01-251h 28
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 71: 2024 Reading HorizonThis week we set our sites on 2024! We share our reading plans, hopes, and dreams for the New Year and highlight some of the new releases we can’t wait to add to our shelves. What books are you most excited to read and buy this year?Giveaway!We wanted to kick off the New Year with a giveaway! Both of us have read this on and highly recommend it: January, by Sara Gallardo, translated from the Spanish by Frances Riddle and Maureen Shaugnessy! Archipelago Books recently released a lovely edition of this. En...
2024-01-111h 29
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 69: Our Favorite Books We Read in 2023, Part IThis week kicks off our annual two episode best of the year extravaganza! Trevor and Paul count down the first part of their ten favorite reads of 2023—and they’re joined by a cast of listeners who share some of their top books and best reading experiences of the year! We dare you to not add a book (or more!) to your 2024 TBR!Giveaway DetailsWe are excited to give away three Dalkey Archive books to a lucky listener with a U.S. address*.Please send us an email (or dm on Instagram or T...
2023-12-141h 40
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 68: The Dalkey ArchiveThis week’s publisher episode focuses on one of our very favorites: Dalkey Archive. Founded nearly 40 years ago, Dalkey specializes in “lesser-known and often avant-garde works.” Trevor and Paul each share a few of their favorite titles and announce an exciting Dalkey giveaway. Be sure to share your favorite for a chance to win!Giveaway DetailsWe are excited to give away three Dalkey Archive books to a lucky listener with a U.S. address*.Please send us an email (or dm on Instagram or Twitter) telling us your interest in The Dalkey Archive...
2023-11-301h 30
Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 18 – The Complete Jean Vigo
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss The Complete Jean Vigo. This box set contains the films À propos de Nice (1930), Taris (1988), Zéro de conduite (1933), and L’Atalante (1934).
Even among cinema’s legends, Jean Vigo stands apart. The son of a notorious anarchist, Vigo had a brief but brilliant career making poetic, lightly surrealist films before his life was cut tragically short by tuberculosis at age t...
2023-11-1800 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 67: On a Bookish HolidayFor many of us, reading is like taking a holiday. But this week, we dive into true literary holidays as we discuss some of our favorite bookish destinations, as well as a few that are on our bucket lists. Where are your top literary destinations?ShownotesBooks* Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath, by Heather Clark* The Bridge of Beyond, by Simone Schwarz-Bart, translated by Barbara Bray* Shady Hollow, by Juneau Black* The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky, translated by Michael R. Ka...
2023-11-161h 19
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 66: Reading HabitsDo you read in the morning or at night? Do you read while walking? With music? Do you read more than one book at a time?In this episode Trevor and Paul look at their reading habits to see what things they’ve come up with to feed the reading hound.We would love to know your reading habits as well! Please share with us!ShownotesBooks* Lojman, by Ebru Ojen, translated by Aron Aji and Selin Gökçesu* Roman Stories, by Jhumpa Lahiri, translated by the...
2023-11-021h 19
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 65: Jon Fosse, with Damion SearlsJon Fosse is the newest winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, and for this week’s episode we are joined by Fosse’s translator Damion Searls to discuss Fosse’s work and the art of translation.Substack Is Now Our HostWhen we released Episode 64: Victorian Literature, we experimented by releasing it through Substack rather than the host we had used since starting the show. We had transferred all of the files over and changed all the doo-dads and bee-bops (we hoped) to make it so that no one would even notice. It seems to hav...
2023-10-191h 26
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 64: Victorian LiteratureThis week’s episode has a lot in common with Victorian literature: long, sometimes digressive and (we hope) filled with fun topics and interesting characters!We’re joined by Victorian expert extraordinaire Rohan Maitzen for a fun discussion about this wonderful era, including some of our favorite titles and authors. And no, we weren’t paid by the word.Patreon Bonus EpisodeAfter a summer with no bonus episodes (an unplanned break!), Paul and I put together a rather lengthy bonus episode for Patreon. This was released last week, and it was so much f...
2023-10-052h 01Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 17 – The Qatsi Trilogy
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss The Qatsi Trilogy. This box set contains the films Koyaanisqatsi (1983), Powaqqatsi (1988), and Naqoyqatsi (2002).
A singular artist and activist, Godfrey Reggio is best known for the galvanizing films of The Qatsi Trilogy. Astonishingly photographed, and featuring unforgettable, cascading scores by Philip Glass, these are immersive sensory experiences that meditate on the havoc humankind’s obsession with technological advancement has wrea...
2023-06-2200 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 55: Summer Reading Horizons This week, Trevor and Paul call a quick audible and talk about summer books and reading horizons (an homage to The Readers!) They chat about their short-term reading plans, a few books that are calling out to them right now, and summer reading in general. And be sure to listen closely for another bookish giveaway! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email moo...
2023-06-011h 07
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 53: AffinitiesInspired by Brian Dillon’s new book “Affinities,” Trevor and Paul have fun exploring the question: Why do we like what we like? The answers are not always black and white or even logical—but they are sure are fun to talk about! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If...
2023-05-041h 23
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 52: Stories About IdyllsArt and literature is filled with idylls -- picturesque and happy moments that can take the form of vacations, journeys or even a stolen afternoon. What is it about these brief moments that haunts us and can even change the course of lives? This week, Trevor and Paul delve into these question and share some of their favorite literary idylls. They also unveil five surprise winners of a bonus giveaway from Open Letter Books! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, v...
2023-04-201h 32
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 50: Open Letter Books This week’s episode is all about one of our favorite publishers: Open Letter Books. Trevor and Paul are joined by translated lit super fan, Ron Restrepo, as they share a few favorite Open Letter titles, talk about the ones they can’t wait to pick up next, and discuss the importance and magic of this vital and exciting press. We also announce the winner of our giveaway of Arabesques! Oh, and we have another giveaway . . . For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse...
2023-03-231h 42Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 16 – The Infernal Affairs Trilogy
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss The Infernal Affairs Trilogy. This box set contains the films Infernal Affairs (2002), Infernal Affairs II (2003), and Infernal Affairs III (2003).
The Hong Kong crime drama was jolted to new life with the release of the Infernal Affairs trilogy, a bracing, explosively stylish critical and commercial triumph that introduced a dazzling level of narrative and thematic complexity to the genre...
2023-03-0300 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 48: Marking Up Your Books Are you an underliner? Tab-user? A worshiper of the unblemished page? A *gulp* dogearer? This week, Trevor and Paul discuss marginalia and the various other ways readers engage with what they're reading. As always, the conversation takes some very unexpected detours! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to disc...
2023-02-231h 17
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 47: Finding Love Between the CoversHow do we love books? Let us count the ways. This week, Trevor and Paul have a little fun and answer a set of Valentine’s-influenced bookish questions. Find out all about their literary breakups, long-term relationships, flings, and more. Love is in the air! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. Thi...
2023-02-091h 17
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 46: Scholastique MukasongaThis week, Trevor and Paul discuss the difficult but vital and beautiful work of Scholastique Mukasonga. Although her books cover incredibly tough subject matter, they serve as, among other things, a haunting elegy and love letter to her family and friends lost in the Rwandan genocide. For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This i...
2023-01-261h 25
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 45: 2023 Reading DreamsThis week, Trevor and Paul look ahead to another exciting year of reading. From goals and strategies to some books they plan to read from their shelves to the 2023 new releases they're most looking forward to, there's a whole lot to talk about! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public e...
2023-01-121h 24
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 44: Our Favorite Books We Read in 2022, Part II In this episode, Paul and Trevor end the year on a high note by each unveiling their top 5 reads of 2022. To add to the fun, they’re again joined by a few friends who also share their top picks. Happy reading! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to d...
2022-12-291h 35
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 43: Our Favorite Books We Read in 2022, Part I It’s that time of year again! This week, Trevor and Paul unveil the first half of their lists of top reads of the year. And to add to the holiday cheer, some friends and familiar faces (voices?) gather 'round to share their favorites, as well. Your TBR pile will never be the same--and that’s a good thing. For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse...
2022-12-151h 26Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 15 – 3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss 3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman. This untraditional box set contains the films Stromboli (1950), Europe ’51 (1952), and Journey to Italy (1954).
In the late 1940s, the incandescent Hollywood star Ingrid Bergman found herself so stirred by the revolutionary neorealist films of Roberto Rossellini that she sent the director a letter, introducing herself and offering her talents. The resulting collaboration produced a seri...
2022-11-2400 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 41: The Magic of Libraries, with Nancy PearlThis week, Trevor and Paul sit down with author and librarian extraordinaire, Nancy Pearl, to discuss the magic and importance of libraries. We share some favorite memories and stories, talk about what the future might hold and just gush about how much we love all things library. As always, we also have a nice chat about what we’re reading, so be sure you have a pen and paper handy! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mo...
2022-11-171h 03Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 14 – A Whit Stillman Trilogy
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss A Whit Stillman Trilogy. This untraditional box set contains the films Metropolitan (1990), Barcelona (1994), and The Last Days of Disco (1998).
Over the course of the 1990s, writer-director Whit Stillman made a trilogy of films about the acid tongues and broken hearts of some haplessly erudite young Americans in New York and abroad. Set in the eighties, these films trace the arc...
2022-09-2700 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 36: Epic BooksThis week, our two heroes journey across the wine-dark sea in search of their favorite epic reads. But first, they have to try to figure out what the heck that even means! Trevor and Paul discuss some of the criteria that make up an epic and have fun debating where the definition begins and ends. They also each bring five of their favorites for discussion (along with some honorable mentions, of course). And don't miss the announcement of the winner of Rodrigo Fresan's The Rememebered Part or the unveiling of a fun new Autumn themed giveaway. ...
2022-09-082h 01
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 33: Books About Growing OldGrowing old is the subject of a lot of great literature. In this episode, Trevor and Paul discuss some of their favorite books (and one short story) about growing old. They also annouce who won the signed copies of Mark Haber's novels! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This i...
2022-07-281h 25
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 32: Authors We Can't Quite Quit YetYou know those authors and books that you can’t seem to connect with … but also aren’t quite ready to give up on? In this episode, Paul and Trevor try to figure out why some books and authors are easy to ditch while others keep calling to us. They each share a few examples from their own shelves and offer some ideas on why they can’t quit them. They also unveil the three (!) winners of the New Directions giveaways. And that's not the end of the giveaways. Listen to get a chance to win sign...
2022-07-141h 43
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 31: New Directions, with Mark HaberThis week, we’re joined by author and bookseller extraordinaire Mark Haber to chat about one of our favorite publishers: New Directions. Although Paul and Trevor can't compete with Mark’s ND tattoo, we can match his enthusiasm as we each share three of our favorite titles. Plus, there are not one, not two, but three bookish giveaways, so makes sure you listen in for details! Please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follo...
2022-06-301h 33
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 30: Three Books with Brian BerrettPlease welcome Brian Berrett, Trevor's brother, back to The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast! Back, you ask? Yes! Brian started the original iteration of the podcast in 2012 with Trevor, and it's nice to have him back as a guest. In this episode we chat generally about loving books and then Brian shares three books with us. Please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @m...
2022-06-1639 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 29: Summer Reading and Assigned Reading IIThe official start of summer is just around the corner, but with kids finishing school and Memorial Day in the past, it feels like summer is already here. Warmer weather, longer evenings, outdoor eating . . . it can be such a lovely time of year. In this episode, Paul and Trevor devote a good chunk to discussing summer reading in general and plans for our own hot months of 2022. And part of those plans include a Mookse and Gripes Podcast bookclub! Help us choose which of these four books to read: Speedboat, by Renata Adler; Ficciones, by...
2022-06-021h 31
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 28: Our Dustiest Books If you're like us, sometimes you go buy a book you are so excited to read, only to then leave it unread on the shelf for . . . well, years maybe! In this episode Trevor and Paul look at some of their dustiest unread books. Also, listen up for the winner of our short books episode giveaway! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you...
2022-05-1955 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 27: Short Books, FictionThis week, Paul and Trevor discuss short books (fiction): what makes them special? Which authors specialize in brevity? How have short books impacted our lives as readers? We each share five or our favorites, as well as a ton of great listener recommendations. And be sure to stick around for a fun giveaway and a preview of an upcoming episode where we each assign the other a short novel. We hope you'll read along with us! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://moo...
2022-05-051h 44Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 13 – Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project No. 1, Part 3
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project, No. 1. This is the third of three episodes focused on this set, and will focus on Ahmed El Maanouni’s Trances and Kim Ki-Young’s The Housemaid.
Established by Martin Scorsese in 2007, the World Cinema Project expands the horizons of moviegoers everywhere. The mission of the WCP is to preserve and present marginalized and infre...
2022-04-2200 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 26: Books About Books, FictionIf you're a bibliophile, what could be better than a book about books? This week, Trevor and Paul are joined by their good friend Simon Thomas to talk about their favorite novels set in the world of books, authors, libraries, and bookstores. We each choose three favorites, but we certainly don't limit our discussion to those nine choices. From Matilda and Bunnicula to Umberto Eco and Rose Macauley (and many, many more), this is another episode that is sure to bolster your TBR pile! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes P...
2022-04-211h 37
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 25: Jane AustenThis week’s mega-episode is all about one of our very favorite authors. Trevor and Paul discuss Austen’s six major novels, chat about what makes her work so special and even take a crack at ranking their favorites! We also share listener feedback about favorite title and chat about various adaptions, both good and bad. And a special treat this week: an interview with Jane Austen scholar (and fan) Joan Klingel Ray, Ph.d, former president of the Jane Austen Society of North America and author of several books on Jane Austen. If you...
2022-04-072h 50Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 12 – Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project No. 1, Part 2
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project, No. 1. This is the second of three episodes focused on this set, and will focus on Ritwik Ghatak’s A River Called Titas and Metin Erksan’s Dry Summer.
Established by Martin Scorsese in 2007, the World Cinema Project expands the horizons of moviegoers everywhere. The mission of the WCP is to preserve and present m...
2022-03-3100 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 24: Literary Years, 1922In this episode, Trevor and Paul discuss great literary years. What have been some of the most noteworthy bookish years so far? What made them so special? They also travel back 100 years to arguably the greatest literary year in history and explore the works that changed literature forever. And they share readers‘ entries for the Archipelago Books contest and announce the lucky winner! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mook...
2022-03-241h 22Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 11 – Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project No. 1, Part 1
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project, No. 1. This is the first of three episodes focused on this set, and will focus on Djibril Diop Mabéty’s Touki bouki and Emilio Gómez Muriel and Fred Zinnemann’s Redes.
Established by Martin Scorsese in 2007, the World Cinema Project expands the horizons of moviegoers everywhere. The mission of the WCP is to prese...
2022-03-2300 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 23: Archipelago BooksIn this episode, Trevor and Paul spend some time talking about one of their favorite publishers, Archipelago Books. They each share three of their favorite Archipelago titles and talk about a few they want to read soon. This episode also includes an amazing giveaway that will supply one lucky winner with a year's worth of translated fiction! For a list of all Archipelago books, click here. For a list of Archipelago's upcoming publications, click here and scroll down. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Pa...
2022-03-101h 23
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 22: Assigned Reading IThis week, Trevor and Paul have a little fun with assigned reading. Yes, you heard that right! First they chat a bit about their histories with assigned reading, both in school and in reading groups, before diving into a couple of short stories they assigned each other. The second half of the episode is a deep dive into two stunning stories: "A Manual for Cleaning Women" by Lucia Berlin and "The Ice Wagon Going Down the Street" by Mavis Gallant. If you want to read along before listening, you can find links to the full text of...
2022-02-241h 27
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 21: Comfort ReadsIn this episode, Trevor and Paul chat about their criteria for a good comfort read: Nostalgia? Escapism? … Murder? They each share a few of their go-to comfort books, along with plenty of wonderful listener suggestions (a few of which might just surprise you). So grab a cup of tea or glass of wine and get ready to bolster your cozy TBR pile! Spoiler alert: You might want to have a pen and paper handy. For shownotes, including a list of all of the books we talk about in this episode, please go to ou...
2022-02-101h 19
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 19: Our Top Bookish Questions for 2022 What books are being published in 2022 that raise the most questions? Paul and Trevor have been pondering and have come up with their top five questions for 2022. Also included at the start is a healthy dose of listener feedback! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, v...
2022-01-131h 23
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 18: 2022 Reading Intentions With 2021 coming to a close, Paul and Trevor look ahead to 2022 and make some reading . . . goals? Well, maybe not goals, per se, but they have some reading intentions. It's a fun conversation about reading plans, whether they like to make any reading plans at all, and, if so, what they like about reading plans even if they don't keep them. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com.
2021-12-301h 22Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 10 – Ingmar Bergman’s Fanny and Alexander
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss Ingmar Bergman’s Fanny and Alexander.
Through the eyes of ten-year-old Alexander, we witness the delights and conflicts of the Ekdahl family, a sprawling bourgeois clan in turn-of-the-twentieth-century Sweden. Ingmar Bergman intended Fanny and Alexander as his swan song, and it is the legendary director’s warmest and most autobiographical film, a four-time Academy Award–winning triumph that combines his tra...
2021-12-2400 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 17: Favorite Books We Read in 2021, Part II Paul and Trevor continue to look back and talk about their favorite books they read in 2021. This is Part 2, going through their 5 - 1. Episode 16 went through 10 - 6. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe
2021-12-231h 11
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 16: Favorite Books We Read in 2021, Part I As 2021 comes to an end, Paul and Trevor look back and talk about their favorite books they read in 2021. These are not necessarily books published in 2021 but are, rather, the books they first read in 2021 that have left their mark. This is Part 1, going through their 10 - 6. Next week's episode will go through 5 - 1. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd li...
2021-12-161h 11Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 9 – Three Films by Luis Buñuel
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss Three Films by Luis Buñuel, which contains The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, The Phantom of Liberty, and That Obscure Object of Desire.
More than four decades after he took a razor blade to an eyeball and shocked the world with Un chien andalou, arch-iconoclast Luis Buñuel capped his astonishing career with three fin...
2021-12-1100 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 14: Holiday Reading Plans As the holiday season arrives, Paul and Trevor sit down to make some reading plans. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe
2021-11-251h 10
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 13: Bookstores There's something so inviting about a bookstore in November (or any time of year, really), so Paul and Trevor chat about that magic. What do they like in a bookstore? What are some of their favorite destinations? Also in this episode we announce the winner of the NYRB Classics giveaway! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this wi...
2021-11-111h 31
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 12: Hangsaman, by Shirley Jackson In our Fall Books episode (#7), Paul said he'd like to read Shirley Jackson's second novel, Hangsaman, this season. Trevor went along for the ride, and the result is this special Halloween edition of The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast! We do touch on spoilers later in the episode after some warning, so beware! Also, we have a bit of a false ending. After we said goodbye, we kept on talking about the ending of the book, so we turned the recorder back on in order to capture those thoughts and round out the show. If you'd like to support t...
2021-10-2857 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 11: NYRB Classics, Part I In this episode Paul and Trevor discuss one of their favorite publishers: NYRB Classics. Because we could go on for days without taking a breath, we limit ourselves to discussing only a few of their riches. We'll return to this subject again and record a Part II, Part III, etc. In this episode we also have a fantastic, topical giveaway! For this, you might want to look at the list of forthcoming NYRB Classics! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us...
2021-10-211h 17
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 10: Books About Books, NonfictionIn this episode, Trevor and Paul talk about some of our favorite books about books. These books never fail to inspire us to read and to enjoy it. While there are many great novels and stories about books, real or fictional, in this episode we focus on nonfiction books. We'll return to this subject and talk about favorite fictional books about books some day. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@g...
2021-10-1455 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 9: Great OpeningsIn this episode, Trevor and Paul talk about books with great openings. We are not talking about best first lines, though many of these have those. We are talking about openings where we know we are in good hands and we can't wait for all that's to come. Also, we announce the winner of our first giveaway! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. T...
2021-10-071h 10
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 8: Three Favorite Books with Frances EvangelistaIn this episode Trevor and Paul welcome their first guest, their long-time online book friend, Frances Evangelista. We reminisce a little before Frances shares three favorite books. Thanks for joining us, Frances! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe
2021-09-3035 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 7: Fall BooksHappy Fall, everyone! It's always so wonderful to snuggle up with a book as the days get colder. To celebrate the new season, Trevor and Paul talk about some of their favorite fall books and talk about a few they hope to read this year to really take advantage of the season! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd l...
2021-09-231h 16Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 8 – Wim Wenders: The Road Trilogy
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss Wim Wenders: The Road Trilogy, which contains Alice in the Cities, Wrong Move, and Kings of the Road.
In the 1970s, Wim Wenders was among the first true international breakthrough artists of the revolutionary New German Cinema movement, a filmmaker whose fascination with the physical landscapes and emotional contours of the open road proved to b...
2021-09-1700 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 6: Our Fantasy Past (and Future?)Trevor and Paul both grew up reading fantasy in the 1980s and 1990s, and both stopped around the same time. But we still look back on that time fondly and talk about our memories, our complaints about tropes and fantasy bloat, and maybe some hope for the future. Spoiler: Trevor has been enjoying some great fantasy books again. We touch on the days when you could go to the mall and spend an hour in a bookstore. We talk about Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time, which we both started but never finished. And we talk about...
2021-09-161h 12
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 5: Cormac McCarthyIn this episode Trevor and Paul discuss the work of Cormac McCarthy. Cormac McCarthy has published ten novels, starting with The Orchard Keeper in 1965. The last novel he published, 2006's The Road, won the Pulitzer Prize. While a new novel, The Passenger, has been announced, several years have passed with no new news. Each of us have read eight of his novels, but between the two of us, we have read all of his work. We don't pretend to be experts, but we are fans who had fun talking about one of our favorite authors. We hope...
2021-09-091h 14
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 4: Nature WritingIn this episode Trevor and Paul discuss nature writing and each list some of their favorite books where nature plays a big role. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe
2021-08-261h 04
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 3: Quadraturin by Sigizmund KrzhizhanovskyIn this bonus episode, which is an old episode from an old iteration of the podcast, Trevor gets over his performance anxiety and reads one of his favorite short stories for you. Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky’s story “Quadraturin,” translated from the Russian by Joanne Turnbull, is presented here in its entirety with permission from NYRB Classics. You can find this and many more of his stories in their editions. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse. Email m...
2021-08-1228 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 2: The Short StoryIn this episode Trevor and Paul discuss the short story and each list three favorites. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe
2021-08-121h 00Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 7 – The Samurai Trilogy
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss The Samurai Trilogy, which contains Hiroshi Inagaki’s trilogy of films Musashi Miyamoto, Duel at Ichijoji Temple, and Duel at Ganryu Island.
The Samurai Trilogy, directed by Hiroshi Inagaki and starring the inimitable Toshiro Mifune, was one of Japan’s most successful exports of the 1950s, a rousing, emotionally gripping tale of combat and self-discovery. Based on a novel that’s...
2021-08-0400 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 1: Bucket List BooksIn this debut episode Trevor and Paul get to know each other through the books they haven't read . . . but want to. Here they each list five "bucket list" books, or books they've been wanting to read for a long time and hope to get to sooner than later. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. Intro Track: Sunlight Cascading Through the Clouds — Artificial.Music [Audio Library Release] Musi...
2021-07-311h 07Inside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 6 – David Lean Directs Noël Coward
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss David Lean Directs Noël Coward, which contains the films In Which We Serve, This Happy Breed, Blithe Spirit, and Brief Encounter.
In the 1940s, the wit of playwright Noël Coward and the craft of filmmaker David Lean melded harmoniously in one of cinema’s greatest writer-director collaborations. With the wartime military drama sensation In Which We Serve, Coward and Lean...
2021-05-1600 minInside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 5 – The Koker Trilogy
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss The Koker Trilogy, which contains Where Is the Friend’s House, And Life Goes On, and Through the Olive Trees.
Abbas Kiarostami first came to international attention for this wondrous, slyly self-referential series of films set in the rural northern-Iranian town of Koker. Poised delicately between fiction and documentary, comedy and tragedy, the lyrical fables in The Koker Trilogy exemplify both the...
2021-02-2600 minInside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 4 – The Marseille Trilogy
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss The Marseille Trilogy, which contains Marius, Fanny, and César.
In the 1930s, Marcel Pagnol, a leading light of the Paris theater, set out for new horizons as a filmmaker in his native Provence. His early masterpieces Marius, Fanny, and César mix theatrical stagecraft with realistic location photography to create an epic love story from the fabric of everyday life. Gruf...
2021-01-2300 minInside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 3 – Three Fantastic Journeys by Karel Zeman
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss Three Fantastic Journeys by Karel Zeman, which contains Journey to the Beginning of Time, Invention for Destruction, and The Fabulous Baron Munchausen.
A one-of-a-kind silver-screen illusionist, Czech filmmaker Karel Zeman devoted his career to transporting viewers to realms beyond their wildest imagining. The deft, breathtaking combinations of live action and animation techniques that he pioneered in the postwar years earn...
2020-11-2800 minInside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 2 – The Apu Trilogy
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss The Apu Trilogy, which contains Pather Panchali, Aparajito, and Apur Sansar.
Two decades after its original negatives were burned in a fire, Satyajit Ray’s breathtaking milestone of world cinema rises from the ashes in a meticulously reconstructed new restoration. The Apu Trilogy brought India into the golden age of international art-house film, following one indelible character, a free-spirited child in rura...
2020-09-0800 minInside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 1 – 3 Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that will explore the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this inaugural episode, they discuss 3 Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg, which contains Underworld, The Last Command, and The Docks of New York.
Vienna-born, New York-raised Josef von Sternberg directed some of the most influential, stylish dramas ever to come out of Hollywood. Though best known for his star-making collaborations with Marlene Dietrich, von Sternberg began his career during the final years of the si...
2020-06-0200 minInside the BoxInside the Box – Episode 0 – Trailer!
Inside the Box is a new podcast dedicated to conversation about box sets produced by The Criterion Collection. Co-hosts Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee, partners on The Eclipse Viewer podcast from 2013 to 2018, pick up where they left off after they completed their coverage of Criterion’s Eclipse Series.
Each episode will focus attention on a particular Criterion box set, discussing not only the films themselves, but also the supplements, packaging and other background information that aims to enhance our understanding and appreciation for each of these unique editions.
Here’s a short introduction from T...
2020-05-3100 min