Shows
Bookwarm GamesThe Boy and the Heron, or Alexander Schmid and Wesley SchantzAt long last, Alex and I wander off on another side quest, discussing Miyazaki's recent film, The Boy and the Heron, and its resonances for us with myth and history. (As always, I wish I knew more about the language, like how to translate "How Do You Live?")
Other episodes in this series on the storied Studio Ghibli can be found most readily on Alex's youtube.
Thanks for listening.
2024-02-0345 min
Bookwarm GamesLamb Dad, Lion Dad: Introducing The Thoughtful Dad PodcastAnother guest lecture, after a fashion. Joe and I started a new series on being a dad. Share it with a dad or thoughtful caretaker in your life!
Show notes:
First episode! We share thoughts on news sources, TV at dinnertime and screen time in general; the "Tiger Mom" Amy Chua interview on Honestly with Bari Weiss and what sorts of dads we are; backyard baptisms and letting the kids help build things.
Intro/outro: Wesley and William playing 'Undertale'
Share determination and send us questions: thoughtfuldadpodcast at gmail. Thanks for l...
2022-09-0257 min
Bookwarm GamesVideo Game Academy: Final Fantasy VI (2/20)Ben and I discuss Final Fantasy VI, from Figaro Cave to the Returners Hideout.
Join us at https://www.patreon.com/videogameacademia
2020-09-0350 min
Bookwarm GamesVideo Game Academy: Final Fantasy VI (1 of 20)Ben and I discuss the opening of Final Fantasy VI, up to the escape from (of?) Figaro Castle.
Join us at https://www.patreon.com/videogameacademia
2020-09-0353 min
Bookwarm GamesVideo Game Academy: Little Inferno (3 of 3)Ben and I discuss the ending of Little Inferno.
Join us for more at https://www.patreon.com/videogameacademia
2020-09-0359 min
Bookwarm GamesVideo Game Academy: Little Inferno (2 of 3)Ben and I discuss more Little Inferno, catalogs 3-5 and Sugar Plumps.
Get involved at https://www.patreon.com/videogameacademia
2020-09-0352 min
Bookwarm GamesVideo Game Academy: Little Inferno (1 of 3)Ben and I discuss Little Inferno, from the opening through the second catalog.
Join us at https://www.patreon.com/videogameacademia
2020-09-0346 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 66: Memory and Wakefulnesson ch 16-17 of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman. See the course page to learn more and ask questions. Thanks for listening, sharing, or lending your support.
2020-08-291h 01Bookwarm GamesGamecool 65: Un-bearlike DeedsOn ch 14-15 of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman. See the course page to learn more and ask questions. Thanks for listening, sharing, or lending your support.
2020-08-2559 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 64: Lyratic ResolutionOn ch 12-13 of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman. See the course page to learn more and ask questions. Thanks for listening, sharing, or lending your support.
2020-08-1931 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 63: Conversation with Kris SwankTouching on the immram journeys by water and the alchemical gardens and forges of The Book of Dust, Kris Swank, also of Signum U, graciously shares some of her theories with us! Read more at Mythlore:
"The Child's Voyage and the Immram Tradition in Lewis, Tolkien, and Pullman"
and beyond: John Granger on Alchemy in Harry Potter and an intro to Francois Beroalde
See the course page to learn more and ask questions. Thanks for listening, sharing, or lending your support.
2020-07-2552 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 61: Conversation with Jason on Xenogears and beyondOne last look at the classic JRPG and its relevance today, closing out this series of Bookwarm Games. Thanks again to Jason, media studies maestro and fellow reader. I'm hoping to be back soon with a third installment under the Bookwarm Games banner; see https://videogameacademia.wordpress.com/ for more studies of classic games meanwhile.
2020-07-071h 13Bookwarm GamesGamecool 62: Conversation with Kat SasMany thanks to independent scholar Kat Sas, who joins me to discuss JK Rowling and Philip Pullman in the context of the impression of depth lent to modern fantasy by JRR Tolkien.
2020-07-021h 07Bookwarm GamesGamecool 61: ImprintedOn ch 10-11 of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman
https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2020/02/gamecool-books-amber-spyglass.html
2020-05-1437 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 60: Too Strong a WeaponOn ch 8-9 of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman.
https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2020/02/gamecool-books-amber-spyglass.html
2020-04-2328 min2020-04-1449 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 60: Conversation with AC on Xenogears and Episodes I-VIThe author of the invaluable Xenogears and Xenosaga Study Guide, AC, and I talk once more about the mirroring of Xenosaga and the unfinished large-scale story sketched in Perfect Works. Here's hoping that he, and Takahashi, find time to complete their respective projects!
2020-04-081h 07Bookwarm GamesBookwarm 59: Conversation with Patrick HollemanPatrick Holleman, author of the Game Design Forum and Reverse Design book series, joins me for a discussion of game studies and Xenogears. See his rockin' collabs with Resonant Arc on Xenogears, Becoming Whole, and FFVII's Deeper Meaning. For a distillation of some of his research, check out the Game Design Extracts.
2020-04-031h 24Bookwarm GamesBookwarm 58: Run to the End of the WorldOn the end of Xenogears. And then...
Xenogears OST
Creid arranged album
20th Anniversary Concert
2020-03-2940 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 57: 'The Ultimate Work of Art'On Xenogears final gameplay chapter, First and Last, where I sat (figuratively) for twenty years playing cards, slaying dragons, looking at Christmas trees, and crafting Mermaid Rings, before finally beating the game a few weeks ago in preparation for this podcast :)
2020-03-2338 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 56: The Wave ExistenceOn Xenogears (the gear), Lacan's bid to 'Live!' and other late-game transformations
2020-03-2144 min2020-03-1931 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 54: Conversation with Chris and Eric of Retrograde AmnesiaThe hosts of the brilliant Retrograde Amnesia podcast join me to share some of the highlights of their chapter-by-chapter inspection of Xenogears. We ponder the cast from Citan to Big Joe, muse upon influences from gnosticism to anime--and our discussion here only hints at the super muchacho information to be found in their own comprehensive offerings on patreon. Thanks again, amigos!
We refer to The Gnostic Gospels, by Elaine Pagels, and to The Great Mother, by Erich Neumann. For more notes and recommended reading, see the Bookwarm course page.
2020-02-221h 22Bookwarm GamesBookwarm 53: That Very WarmthOn Xenogears' Anima Relics and the counterparts coming together here: the Elements, Ramsus, Hammer, and Cain
2020-02-2233 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 52: Both Truth and FictionOverview and tentative vindication of Xenogears' opening chapters of disc 2
2020-02-2233 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 58: Conversation with Leanna on BBC/HBO His Dark MaterialsLeanna, aka Musical33, mod on the HDM Fandom Wiki, joins me once again, this time for a joyous discussion of season one of the new series. Spoilers abound!
https://hisdarkmaterials.fandom.com/f
2020-02-1958 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 57: The Only Good ThingOn ch 3 Scavengers and ch 4 Ama and the Bats, of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman
with "The Knight's Tomb," by Coleridge and "She lay as if at play," by Dickinson
https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2020/02/gamecool-books-amber-spyglass.html
2020-02-1925 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 56: A Novel AnswerThe Gamecool Books podcast turns to The Amber Spyglass, the concluding volume in His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman. Long-form discussions of the intertextual goodness branching out from the book in all directions, and of the depiction of consciousness at its heart, will be posted on a weekly-or-so basis, along with conversations with other fans and scholars. This page will also be updated with recommended additional reading to accompany our deep dive into Pullman's work. I welcome any questions or comments. Enjoy!
This episode covers Ch 1 The Enchanted Sleeper and Ch 2 Balthamos and Baruch.
Recommended Re...
2020-02-1434 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 51: Conversation with Moses Norton, The Well-Red Mage, on Theology and GamesIn which we range over the contexts for game- and god-talk, with genial insights from my guest Moses Norton and some great audience input--many thanks to the Well-Red Mage for hosting my writing, cross-releasing this episode (with augmented audio) on his podcast, and letting me host him on this show!
https://thewellredmage.com/
and see his Chrono Trigger dissertation
2020-02-071h 40Bookwarm GamesGamecool 55: Exploring The Secret Commonwealth, with Gabriel SchenkGabriel joins me to discuss the massive, rich, and challenging new book, The Secret Commonwealth, the second volume of Philip Pullman's Book of Dust.
After this interlude, I'll be picking up with The Amber Spyglass shortly!
Thanks for listening.
https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/gamecool-books-subtle-knife-by-philip.html
2020-01-301h 19Bookwarm GamesBookwarm 50: The Best Way to Calm the HeartOn Solaris, where we're head over heels, and on to the end of Disc 1 of Xenogears. If anyone knows what Citan's sword is saying with his elemental attacks, please teach me that sophistry or poetry or whatever it might be!
https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2020-01-2441 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 54: The Night is Full of AngelsOn ch 15: Bloodmoss, concluding The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman. With reference to The Journey of the Magi, by TS Eliot, and to the wrestling passage in Gen 32:24
more: https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/gamecool-books-subtle-knife-by-philip.html
2020-01-1237 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 53: A Question of BalanceOn ch 14: Alamo Gulch, in The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman
2019-12-2338 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 49: Really Truly?On Xenogears' destroy the gate generator missions: the omnigear in the Mausoleum, the Republic of Aveh, tag-team battles on Babel Tower and Ft. Jasper, and Emeralda in Sargasso
With thanks to the Retrograde Amnesia podcast for a kind shout-out, and to Karnegal at the Let's Play Archive
2019-12-1926 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 52: Conversation with Guillermo LariguetOpening a discussion with the Argentine scholar Guillermo Lariguet on the philosophical context for Pullman's trilogy. This conversation was recorded piecemeal and built up from transmissions from Guillermo via whatsapp, with my responses.
"A Brief Examination of the Literary Trilogy by Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials" essay (in Spanish) on academia.edu and Erasmus online review:
https://www.academia.edu/37331615/UN_BREVE_EXAMEN_FILOS%C3%93FICO_DE_LA_TRILOG%C3%8DA_LITERARIA_DE_PHILIP_PULLMAN_LA_MATERIA_OSCURA
https://www.icala.org.ar/erasmus/Archivo/2018/2018-1/erasmus-20-1-2018-00.pdf
2019-12-0235 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 51: He hasn't got ÆsahættrOn Ch 13 Æsahættr, in The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman.
Word study: Fandom, wiktionary, Skaldic poetry; Waking of Angantyr; Icelandic dictionary
And while you're looking that up, maybe you want to check out this band's Self-titled album
2019-11-2253 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 50: YOU NEED TO ASK MORE QUESTIONSOn ch 12: Screen Language, in Philip Pullman's The Subtle Knife
On Everett and his Many Worlds: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hugh-everett-biography/
Augustine on Angels: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p1s2c1p5.htm
2019-11-1635 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 49: Conversation with Faith AckerOn The Subtle Knife and Philip Pullman's epic tendencies. Many thanks to Faith Acker, lecturer and preceptor at Signum University, for joining me!
See more about her course, The Life and Times of the English Epic: https://signumuniversity.org/catalog/the-life-and-times-of-the-english-epic/
And our conversation celebrating the release of The Secret Commonwealth, with Kris Swank and Gabriel Schenk, as part of Signum's annual fundraising campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZV47M-0EZI
2019-10-3147 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 48: Counting the Stones in the WallOn ch 11: The Belvedere, of The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman
2019-10-2229 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 48: Under the Same Blue SkyOn Xenogears' central chapters, from Zeboim to Shevat via Babel Tower, and what awaits you there
2019-10-0940 min2019-09-2940 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 47: Conversation with Jason on Xenogears as SimulacrumOn the simulacra and ekphrases of Xenogears' first half or so, continuing where our first talk left off.
2019-09-161h 05Bookwarm GamesGamecool 46: Conversation with Gabriel Schenk on Pullman's OxfordsWe touch on C.S. Lewis' "On Stories," which Pullman cites approvingly more than once: https://gutenberg.ca/ebooks/lewiscs-onstories/lewiscs-onstories-00-h.html
Here's some information about the wall Gabriel mentioned, dividing rich and poor parts of Oxford: http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/articles/2009/03/26/cutteslowe_feature.shtml
It's very close to the Hornbeam trees (Sunderland Avenue: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2368292)
This is the cemetery described by Pullman in The Subtle Knife: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolvercote_Cemetery
This is Gabriel's flash fiction piece, chosen as one of f...
2019-08-311h 00Bookwarm GamesBookwarm 46: Terribly Lonely...and FamiliarOn everything from Ramsus' underwater attack and help from Billy, the young priest, to the encounter with the green-haired girl in the ruins of Zeboim; Xenogears' theological arguments begin to take shape.
https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2019-08-2747 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 45: The Heart of EverythingOn ch 9: Theft, of The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman
2019-08-1928 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 45: Conversation with AC on Xenogears' first halfBuilding on our first discussion, we explore more of the characters' and creators' motivations in this misunderstood masterpiece.
AC runs the Xenogears and Xenosaga Study Guide page: http://xenogearsxenosagastudyguide.blogspot.com/
2019-08-1956 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 44: The Knife is Yours By RightOn ch 8: The Tower of the Angels, in The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman
2019-08-1140 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 44: Men have Courage! And have Appetites!On Xenogears' chapters 23-28: Secret Weapon, Escape Ignas, Adrift at Sea, Men of the Sea, Friends Again, and Betrayal. Thanks for listening!
2019-08-0838 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 43: A Little WiserOn Ch 7: The Rolls-Royce, in The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman, and with reference to The White Mercedes and The Collectors--
https://www.amazon.com/Collectors-Materials-Story-Kindle-Single-ebook/dp/B0138OGO72
2019-07-2841 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 43: A Place to BelongOn Xenogears Battling Champ, Gear Dock Raid, and Night Purge chapters.
https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2019-07-2544 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 42: Conversation with Naomi WoodAuthor of numerous essays, book chapters, and reviews on Philip Pullman and his work, Dr Wood is Director of Undergraduate Studies for the English Department at Kansas State University, and co-editor of The Lion and The Unicorn, an academic journal focused on literature for children.
https://www.k-state.edu/english/people/wood.html
https://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/lion-and-unicorn
2019-07-1951 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 42: Kid...It's Good to Have GutsBaptized into the Kislev prison, with some detective work in the sewers and on the heights, and battling in the arena.
2019-07-1756 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 41: A Blessing or a CurseOn ch 6: Lighted Fliers, of The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman
2019-07-1251 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 41: A Conversation with JasonLocal super-genius and fellow Xeno-phile Jason joins me to discuss 90's nostalgia and dissonant aesthetics. Another conversation which will certainly be continued in a future episode!
https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2019-07-1054 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 40: The Usual Mixture of Efficiency and ChaosOn ch 5: Airmail Paper, of The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman
http://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/gamecool-books-subtle-knife-by-philip.html
2019-06-2835 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 40 (XG 7): The Room of SophiaOn Nisan's angelic statuary and unfinished painting; the disastrous coup attempt; and The One Who is Torn Apart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miOizLxOD4E
http://xenogearsxenosagastudyguide.blogspot.com/p/xenogears.html
http://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2019-06-2642 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 39: Conversation with Jason KingMuch obliged to Jason King for taking the time to chat with me about religion and human nature, Dust and destiny. He teaches at St Vincent College (including some Pullman in his course "Aliens, Monsters, Heroes, and Jesus" :) and is coauthor, with Donna Freitas, on the excellent Killing the Imposter God: Philip Pullman's Spiritual Imagination in His Dark Materials.
https://www.stvincent.edu/about/directory-staff/jason-king
https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Imposter-God-Spiritual-Imagination/dp/0787982377
2019-06-2047 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 39 (XG 6): The Secret of StrengthBig Joe knows. On the Aveh hide-and-seek, waterworks, tournament, and Margie's rescue arc.
https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2019-06-1939 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 38: As if it were a pinball machine... On Ch 4: Trepanning, in The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman
Keats' Letter on Negative Capability
2019-06-1357 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 38 (XG 5): A Reason to FightOn the search for Citan through the dunes, encounter with Grahf, Fei's dream of his father and Citan's communique with the Emperor, the pirate prince Bart, exploring the cavern, Ol' Man Bal, and the night raid on the hideout. A nice, friendly interlude, basically, before we go rescue Margie.
http://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2019-06-1352 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 37: Do What We Like, All RightOn ch 3: A Children's World, in The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman.
Blake, Little Girl Lost and Little Girl Found
See the Charles Brown interview at http://web.archive.org/web/20050422032936/http://www.avnet.co.uk/amaranth/Critic/ivpullman.htm
2019-06-0638 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 37: Conversation with A. C. of the Xeno- Study GuideMuch obliged to A.C., curator of the remarkable Xenogears and Xenosaga Study Guide pages.
Check them out: http://xenogearsxenosagastudyguide.blogspot.com/
More reading: http://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2019-06-0559 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 36: Conversation with Tony WatkinsGraciously joined by the media and religious commentator Tony Watkins, author of Dark Matter: Shedding Light on Philip Pullman's Trilogy (aka A Thinking Fan's Guide). His website includes the transcript of a remarkable interview with Pullman.
2019-05-3159 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 36 (XG 3): A Problem of the HeartOn Fei's exile, his meeting with Elly, through following Citan out into the desert beyond Dazil. Featuring: Big Joe! See http://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2019-05-3030 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 35: The Name of Her DestinyOn ch 2: Among the Witches, of Philip Pullman's The Subtle Knife. More at https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/gamecool-books-subtle-knife-by-philip.html
2019-05-2436 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 35 (Xenogears 2): Things Almost ForgottenOn ch 1-3 of Xenogears. Readings and more info: http://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2019-05-2237 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 34: All his games were going to come trueOn ch 1: The Cat and the Hornbeam Trees, in The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman
2019-05-1740 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 34 (Xenogears 1): The Beginning and the EndFirst in the Xenogears series of Bookwarm Games discussions, on the project overview and Xenogears' cinematic intro, the Prologue.
https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2019/05/bookwarm-games-xenogears.html
2019-05-1636 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 33: Concluding Q&A on The Golden CompassRecorded live 4/30/19, addressing questions about raw spirits, Dust, and daemons, and doing a little analysis of da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine. Thanks to everyone who participated in this discussion series, and special thanks to live questioners: Steph, Mom, and Dad. I think I quadrupled my viewership from the concluding video on EarthBound :)
For more info: https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2018/10/gamecool-books-golden-compass-by-philip.html
Broadcasted live on Twitch -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/bookwarmgames
2019-05-041h 04Bookwarm GamesGamecool 32: Forms Among the DustOn ch 23: The Bridge to the Stars, of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass
Thank you for listening! Consult the course page for more on the concluding Q and A episode, and for links to readings and other materials: https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2018/10/gamecool-books-golden-compass-by-philip.html
2019-04-2647 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 31: Beyond Sleep and WakingOn ch 22: Betrayal, in The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
2019-04-2330 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 30: A Prisoner Acting Like a KingOn ch 21: Lord Asriel's Welcome, in The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
Tony Watkins' interview with Pullman: http://www.tonywatkins.co.uk/media/literature/interview-with-philip-pullman-from-2004/
2019-04-1746 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 29: Conversation with Leanna of HDM FandomFor the final conversation episode of the Golden Compass series, I'm joined by Leanna, aka Musical33, a Bureaucrat (editor and moderator) on the His Dark Materials Fandom page. Check it out: https://hdm.fandom.com/f We talk about the fan community, the world of online role playing, and adaptations past, present, and imaginary of Pullman's work.
News: the series-concluding Q&A session will be Tuesday 30, 7:30 pm Eastern, live on twitch, so send in questions and comments!
Musical themes include the Cliff Ghasts, Santelia, the Watchtower, and Mortal Combat!
2019-04-1052 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 28: A Ritual Faithfully FollowedOn ch 20: Mortal Combat, in The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
2019-04-0440 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 27: True, Every WordOn ch 19: Captivity, in Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass
2019-03-2342 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 26: We Can't Read the DarknessOn Ch 18: Fog and Ice, in The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
2019-03-2149 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 25: Conversation with Maggie ParkeJoining me from Wales, Dr Maggie Parke coordinates the Mythgard Institute's new programming and teaches on Signum University. Her work delves into fan communities, adaptation across media, and engagement between the two.
https://signumuniversity.org/directory/maggie-parke/
http://maggieparke.com/
Musical themes for the imaginary video game adaptation:
Ceiling Space
MnTi
The Fearsome Tartars
Cloud-pine
2019-03-1555 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 24: We Are StrongOn ch 17: The Witches, in The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
2019-03-1349 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 23: As a Compass Needle is Drawn to the PoleOn ch 16: The Silver Guillotine, in The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
2019-03-0840 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 22: Conversation with Lauren ShohetDr Lauren Shohet discusses her work interpreting Milton, poet of Providence and defender of free speech, as well as teaching Pullman in the academy. A professor of English at Villanova, she has published on Renaissance literature, primarily Shakespeare and Milton, as well as articles and books considering Renaissance connections to His Dark Materials.
Her website is http://laurenshohet.com/
Also I share some news on Pullman's knighthood and a release date for the next novel, then musical themes for the imaginary video game adaptation:
Samoyed Hunters
2019-03-061h 01Bookwarm GamesGamecool 21: ENTRY STRICTLY FORBIDDENOn ch 15: The Daemon Cages, in The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
2019-02-2742 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 20: Nice Place. Nice Peoples.On ch 14: Bolvangar Lights, in Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass
2019-02-2044 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 19: Conversation with Marek OziewiczJoining me to discuss Philip Pullman's work is Dr. Marek Oziewicz, the Sidney and Marguerite Henry Professor of Children's and Young Adult Literature at the University of Minnesota. He's written extensively on the representation of justice in and through storytelling. His One World, One People won the Mythopoeic Scholarship award in 2010; his recent work has traced the connections between literature and scientific research on consciousness.
Marek's page on UMN: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/ci/people/Oziewicz.html
Papers available on academia.edu: https://umn.academia.edu/MarekOziewicz
Musical themes...
2019-02-1345 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 18: Do You Want To See Proof?On ch 13: Fencing, in Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, and "On the Marionette Theatre," by von Kleist.
2019-02-0638 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 17: Like Riding the BearOn ch 12: The Lost Boy, of The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
2019-01-3042 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 16: Conversation with Kevin HenslerA long-awaited conversation with Kevin Hensler, PhD candidate in Religion at Temple University. We talk about Pullman's materialist theology, Lyra's destiny, and world-building. Spoilers abound!
Kevin's page on Temple U: https://liberalarts.temple.edu/academics/departments/religion/hensler-kevin
Musical themes:
Jerry, the able seaman
Trollesund
The Consul
The Bear
Witches (adapted from 'The Flowers of Lapland,' whistled by Dr Kalmenius in Clockwork)
Where's your balloon?
2019-01-2552 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 15: Difficult CrittersOn ch 11 Armor, in Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, with some drive-by remarks on His Dark Materials Illuminated, edited by Millicent Lenz and Carole Scott
2019-01-241h 00Bookwarm GamesGamecool 14: What Question Would You Ask?On ch 10: The Consul and the Bear, of The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman.
2019-01-1739 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 13: Conversation with Mark VernonFeaturing Mark Vernon, who incorporates narrative into his work as a psychotherapist, and insights from his practice into his work as an author.
He's been hosting the video of this conversation over on his website for weeks, but better late than never I thought I'd post the audio and video of it, too, along with more musical themes from the imaginary video game adaptation following the conversation, and an exciting announcement for the new year!
Mark's website: http://www.markvernon.com/
Mark's review of The...
2019-01-0947 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 12: You Oughter Stayed BelowOn ch 9: The Spies, in the Golden Compass, and Clockwork, by Philip Pullman
2018-12-2054 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 11: The Work You Have to DoOn The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman, ch 8: Frustration
2018-12-1249 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 10: Don't Leave Anything OutOn chapter 7: John Faa
The course page for this series on The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman can be found here: http://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2018/10/gamecool-books-golden-compass-by-philip.html
2018-12-051h 04Bookwarm GamesGamecool 9: Conversation with Gabriel SchenkTalking with Signum University Preceptor and Oxford University D. Phil. Gabriel Schenk about Pullman's Oxford and ch 6: The Cocktail Party.
Many thanks to Gabriel for his time and insights!
His page on Signum U: https://signumuniversity.org/directory/gabriel-schenk/
2018-11-281h 012018-11-2154 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 7: In Your Own HomeOn ch 5: The Cocktail Party, of the Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
Course page:
http://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2018/10/gamecool-books-golden-compass-by-philip.html?m=1
2018-11-1450 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 6: Conversation with Verlyn FliegerA discussion with celebrated author and scholar Verlyn Flieger, in which we do some serious thinking about The Golden Compass and its mythological and literary contexts.
Verlyn's page on Signum University:
https://signumuniversity.org/directory/verlyn-flieger/
Verlyn's website:
http://mythus.com/
In lieu of recess this week there's a brief news segment and another music playlist for the imaginary video game, featuring:
The Master and Catacombs
Tony Makarios
The Lady with the Golden Monkey / Magisterium
Ma Costa
The Zeppelin
The Alethiometer
2018-11-0752 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 5: The Smell of GlamourOn Chapter 4 of The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman: The Alethiometer.
Recommended Reading:
The Golden Compass Chapter 4: The Alethiometer
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, by William Blake
http://www.blakearchive.org/copy/mhh.d?descId=mhh.d.illbk.01
Pullman's illustrations for the chapter headings
http://www.philip-pullman.com/Illustrations.php#
2018-10-3154 minBookwarm GamesGamecool 4: Let's Play Kids and Gobblers!In which we discuss ch 3 of The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman, Lyra's Jordan, and imagine how it might look as a video game.
(Errata: It's not the Sheldon Building where Lyra's Oxford opens, but the Lodge Tower. But I think the same sort of point could be made.)
Recommended Reading:
The Golden Compass Chapter 3: Lyra's Jordan
Songs of Innocence and Experience, by William Blake
http://www.blakearchive.org/copy/songsie.r?descId=songsie.r.illbk.01
Map of Lyra's Oxford
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/hdm/images/b/bd/Lyra%27s_Oxford_map.png/revision/latest?cb=20170723102043
Course page:
http...
2018-10-241h 25Bookwarm GamesGamecool 3: Conversation with Sparrow AldenI'm joined by Sparrow Alden, Hestia of the Hearth on the Signum U forums, college instructor and preceptor, and youth pastor, to discuss The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman. We touch on the story's attractions--Lyra's character and her relationship to Pan--as well as its dangers--the way it represents an end to childhood no one would want to undergo.
Sparrow's page on Signum University: https://signumuniversity.org/directory/sparrow-alden/
Sparrow's blog: https://wordsthatyouweresaying.blog/
After our talk, I've added some updates about the project, including words of encouragement from my friend Patrick, news about publishing some of my EarthBound work weekly...
2018-10-1740 minBookwarm GamesBookwarm 21: Conversation with Eddie and Michele SchantzVisiting brother Elliot last week made me think I'd better have Mom and Dad on the show! I caught them before dinnertime to discuss Sunday board games, passing the baton, and World Cup predictions. (Please bear with the audio crashing around the midway point.)
2018-07-0215 min