Anovelreviewpodcast - Podcast Details

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A Novel Review Podcast"The Claw of the Conciliator" Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun - Book 110To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The Claw of the Conciliator sends the reader deeper into the labyrinth of Gene Wolfe’s imaginative science fantasy novel. Weaving the tale, there is only one way in and one way out. Severian the torturer, tortures us as the reader with a story that raises so many questions in the chaos of the narrative and yet offers us only glimpses into the truth of it all. And above it all is the question, what is really going on? Painting: Today I painted the distant ci...2025-05-1318 min

A Novel Review PodcastThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe - Book 109.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart flips the colonial script. Okonkwo, fierce as a misplaced proverb, fights change to a fault. But when tradition clashes with colonialism, even the strongest warrior can’t wrestle fate. Achebe doesn't just tell a story - he reclaims one, reminding us that when things fall apart, it’s the silence that screams loudest. Painting: Today I painted a noose against a red background Some of the books and authors discussed in this epis...2025-05-0619 min

A Novel Review PodcastForgotten Women of Literature: Marghanita Laski - Book 108.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Throughout literary history, many remarkable women writers have been overlooked or forgotten, their voices buried beneath more celebrated names. Among them is Marghanita Laski, a prolific mid-20th-century author and critic whose sharp insights and evocative storytelling deserve renewed attention. Laski's works, rich with psychological depth and social critique, exemplify the enduring value of these often-sidelined literary contributions. Painting: Today I painted a chaise lounge Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “The Victorian Chaise Lounge” by Marghanita Lask...2025-04-3015 min

A Novel Review Podcast30 Best books of the 20th Century: Books 20 - 11To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Creating a list of the 30 best books of the 21st century with some rules is difficult enough but what makes it harder is just trying to remember all the books you have read in the first place. Join Seamus as he starts his list, counting down the 30 best books across 3 episodes! Painting: Today I painted a lamp emanating a green light. I will let you try figure out the connection… Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “The Chro...2025-04-2225 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Days at the Morisaki Bookshop" by Satoshi Yagisawa - Book 106.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is a cozy cup of tea for the soul, steeped in heartbreak, healing, and the musty charm of secondhand books. Takako flees a crumbling life and tumbles into the quirky quiet of her uncle’s Tokyo bookshop - where literature whispers solace and dusty paperbacks double as therapy. It’s a love letter to books, proving stories mend what real life sometimes shatters. Painting: Today I painted a bookshop Some of the books and authors discussed in this epis...2025-04-1518 min

A Novel Review Podcast"The Shadow of the Torturer" Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun - Book 105To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In The Shadow of the Torturer, Gene Wolfe hands us a scalpel and says, “Figure it out.” Severian, our melancholic torturer with a soft spot for doomed women and old words, stumbles through a decaying Earth like a poetic space-opera Don Quixote. It's sci-fi wrapped in fantasy dressed as philosophy - beautifully baffling, like reading a riddle in a dream. Painting: Today I painted Severian Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “The Shadow of the Torturer - Book o...2025-04-0820 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Kitchen" by Banana Yoshimoto - Book 104.A podcast all about books! To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The world book tour takes flight once more and this month we are off to Japan with the first stop in the kitchen! Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto is a melancholic hug wrapped in the scent of home-cooked meals. It’s a tale of grief, love, and late-night ramen, where kitchens become sanctuaries and loneliness simmers on every page. Yoshimoto serves up a story that feels like warm miso for the soul. Painting: Today I painted a kitchen Some of...2025-04-0120 min

A Novel Review Podcast30 Best books of the 20th Century: Books 30 - 21To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Creating a list of the 30 best books of the 21st century with some rules is difficult enough but what makes it harder is just trying to remember all the books you have read in the first place. Join Seamus as he starts his list, counting down the 30 best books across 3 episodes! Painting: I am not sure what I painted, I was experimenting and this was the result Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “A Small Place” Jamacia Kinc...2025-03-2521 min

A Novel Review Podcast"The House of the Spirits" Isabel Allende - Book 102.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende is a sweeping historical novel that blends magical realism with political and family drama. It follows the Trueba family across generations, exploring themes of love, power, and destiny. Through vivid storytelling, Allende weaves Chile’s turbulent history into a tale of resilience, passion, and the supernatural, making it a captivating read. Painting: Today I painted A woman amongst the greenery because that’s how this books felt amongst the chaos of the world. Some of the...2025-03-1820 min

A Novel Review PodcastMy issues with Mervyn Peakes 'Gormenghast Trilogy' - Book 101.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Mervyn Peake tragically passed away before being able to finish his planned 5 book Gormenghast series. He managed 2 books at full health and worked in a third, but this had its issues. Today I discuss this ‘trilogy’ and my issues with it being called that. Painting: Today I painted Titus Alone in front of a larger empty world Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Titus Alone” Mervyn Peake “Titus Groan” Mervyn Peake “Gormenghast” by Mervyn Peake “The Book of the New Sun” by...2025-03-1117 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Space Invaders" by Nona Fernandez - Book 100.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Reality blurs with ghostly nostalgia, and the past presses continue whether we like it or not. Nona Fernández’s Space Invaders is a haunting puzzle of memory, dictatorship, and childhood, piecing together fragmented recollections of Chile’s Pinochet era through the eyes of schoolchildren. A novel both fleeting and unforgettable, much like the arcade game itself. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Space Invaders” Nona Fernandez “The House of the Spirits” Isabel Allende “I Was There” by Hans Peter Richter 2025-03-0420 min

A Novel Review Podcast"The Dark King Swallows the World" by Robert G. Penner - Book 99.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com "The Dark King Swallows the World" blends history and fantasy with a dash of whimsy, as 12-year-old Nora navigates faeries, giants, and a chilling King of the Dead—all to bring her brother back. It’s a magical rollercoaster where every page feels like a new twist, proving that even in the darkest times, a little imagination can go a long way. Painting: I painted a copy of the cover of the book, but with a melting face kind of vibe. If you read the book...2025-02-2519 min

A Novel Review Podcast"A Woman in Berlin" by Anonymous - Book 98.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com “A Woman in Berlin” is an anonymous account of a woman’s experience during the fall of Berlin in 1945, as Soviet forces invade the city. The diary, written by a journalist, reveals the harsh realities of war, sexual violence, and survival. Her poignant observations offer an unflinching portrayal of the human cost of conflict, exploring themes of power, shame, and resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering. Painting: I painted a woman walking through a ruinous city Some of the books and authors discus...2025-02-1822 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Gormenghast" by Mervyn Peake - Book 97.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake doubles down on his surreal vision, crafting a gothic maze where time moves in sluggish circles and tradition is a trap. The castle is both character and prison, and its inhabitants, bizarrely fixated on status, seem destined to stumble through their own eccentricities. Steeped in dark humor and absurdity, the novel is a thrilling, labyrinthine journey, as much about unraveling the world’s complexity as it is about losing oneself in it. Painting: I painted the view from Flay’s cave 2025-02-1120 min

A Novel Review Podcast'I Was There' by Hans Peter Richter - Book 96.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A story of fiction inlaid with the truth from someone who was there. The writer Hans Peter Richter was there in Nazi Germany, not just as a bystander but as an active participant. The story he writes explores the lives of a young boy living under this regime of ideological programming that led so many Germans along a morally abhorrent path to destruction and WW2 Painting: I never thought a book podcast would mean I paint a swastika. I didn’t enjoy it but here we...2025-02-0421 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell" by Susanna Clarke - Book 95.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell tells the historically fictive, gothic, fantasy tale of the two practical magicians in London. One is the master, the prim and proper, quiet and concerned Mr Norrell, the other, the apprentice, eager and energetic, daring and audacious, Jonathan Strange. Both believe in the magic they work on, but they have clashing agenda with their own personal benevolence directing them to act with opposing outcomes. Will this be the fall of the practising magician in England, or their rise? Painting: Today...2025-01-2823 min

A Novel Review Podcast"A Girl Returned" by Donatella Di Pietrantonio - Book 94.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A girl returns but she never knew she left. How would you navigate growing up only to learn at age 13 you have been with a foster family, and your real family want you back. Only, they don’t really want you back. So begins the tale as our young narrator is forced to question the nature and definition of what constitutes a family. Can she rebuild a life around strangers that are her family… Painting: Today I painted a lone house in Italy in the coun...2025-01-2117 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Titus Groan" by Mervyn Peake - Book 93.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The fantasy tour for 2025 kicks off with this crumbling vestige of fantasy literature that endures against the masses. Ghormengast is the great castle that outlasts all, and within its hallowed halls, the ritualistic mundane life of the Earl of Groan is carried out daily. Around him, a fantastically absurd cast of characters go about their day in one of the richest fantasy novels to date. Painting: Today I painted the castle of Ghormengast against a stormy sky Some of the books and authors...2025-01-1418 min

A Novel Review Podcast“The Moon and the Bonfires” by Cesare Pavese - Book 92.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The world book tour takes flight and this month we are off to Italy. The Moon and the Bonfires by Cesare Pavese asking the personal question of ‘what is a home?’ If you leave your home and come back to find that you and it have changed, is it still your home. Lyrically pervasive with an attractive uneasiness, the novel packs a punch to remedy those January blues. Painting: Today I a blue Italy with a lone bonfire burning under a moon. Some of t...2025-01-0720 min

A Novel Review Podcast"The Book World Tour" - Ep 91.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com As 2024 comes to a close, I wonder where I will go next year. What magical countries will literature transport me to? That’s when an idea stuck me. A book world tour. 12 months, 12 countries, 24 books. A sample of some of the beauty that is out there in the vast world we inhabit. Painting: Today I painted a plane setting off for a world tour! Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell” by Susanna Clarke...2024-12-2916 min

A Novel Review Podcast"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens - Book 90.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Ho Ho Hello and Merry Christmas! In A Christmas Carol, Dickens wraps up Scrooge's grumpy heart with a bow of redemption. Haunted by ghosts, he discovers generosity isn't just for the wealthy. A festive reminder that even the most miserly souls can learn the joy of Christmas cheer! Painting: Today I painted a duck with a Christmas hat to celebrate the festive season! Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens Additional segm...2024-12-2317 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Rubble Children" by Aaron Kreuter - Book 89.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com What is a book? What constitutes a novel? These are the questions I ask while navigating 7 and a half stories of urban dread and social destruction. The interplay of youth and the political, the navigation of social norms and customs against the backdrop of familial ties and responsibilities. 7 and a half stories weaved into a tale of youth, love, beauty and everything that makes us human. Painting: Today I painted a rubble heap of rocks beneath a black night. Some of the books...2024-12-1722 min

A Novel Review Podcast“The Woman in Black” by Susan Hill - Book 88.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In The Woman in Black, Susan Hill conjures a ghost story as chilling as Eel Marsh’s fog. Arthur Kipps, an unsuspecting solicitor, unravels the tragic spectre of vengeance—her hollow eyes haunting his every step. Hill’s prose dances like shadows, weaving dread into every corner, proving silence can scream louder than words. Painting: Today I painted a single gravestone amongst the fog of overgrown shrub Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “The Woman in Black” by Susan H...2024-12-1019 min

A Novel Review Podcast“The Amber Spyglass” by Philip Pullman - Book 87.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In The Amber Spyglass, Lyra and Will defy gods and universes, only to find that saving Dust means bittersweet farewells. Talking bears, wheeled creatures, and quantum physics spice the plot, while the ultimate message whispers: freedom, curiosity, and love outshine even celestial tyranny. Painting: Today I painted the mountains that Lyra is hidden in by her mother, Mrs Coulter Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “The Amber Spyglass” by Philip Pullman “The Subtle Knife” by Philip Pullman “Northern L...2024-12-0323 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Misery" by Stephen King - Book 86.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Stephen King's Misery traps readers in a harrowing tale of obsession and survival. When best-selling author Paul Sheldon finds himself injured and at the mercy of his "number one fan," Annie Wilkes, the line between admiration and madness blurs. Fueled by sinister hospitality and a typewriter's click, it's a chilling reminder: some fans don't want sequels, they demand rewrites. Painting: Today I painted the house Paul found himself a prisoner in Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Th...2024-11-2620 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Kindred" by Octavia E. Butler - Book 84.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Octavia Butler’s Kindred is a riveting fusion of sci-fi and historical fiction that hurls its protagonist, Dana, from 1970s California into the brutal world of 19th-century slavery. Blending time travel with searing social commentary, Butler masterfully exposes how history's injustices linger in modern veins, making this a page-turning reminder that the past is never as far away as it seems. Painting: Today I painted a sand timer with a chain running though it Some of the books and authors discussed in this ep...2024-11-1123 min

A Novel Review Podcast"The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman - Book 83.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The Subtle Knife, the second book in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, takes us on a journey between worlds. Here, 12-year-old Will discovers a knife that can slice through anything, even dimensions. Paired with Lyra, they navigate sinister forces and philosophical dilemmas. It's a spellbinding tale where science, magic, and moral ambiguity intertwine for the second instalment Painting: Today I painted the subtle knife slicing through into a new world Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Th...2024-11-0524 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Carrie" by Stephen King - Book 82.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Just in time for Halloween: In Carrie, shy high school outcast Carrie White discovers she has telekinetic powers—just in time for prom. Bullied mercilessly, she unleashes a vengeful storm of horror, turning the night of glamour into a blood-soaked nightmare. Stephen King’s debut is a chilling reminder that you should never underestimate the quiet ones... or their rage. Painting: This week I painted Carrie covered in blood Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Carrie” Stephen King “Sap...2024-10-2919 min

A Novel Review Podcast"Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier - Ep 81.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a gothic whirlwind of suspense, intrigue, and a whole lot of "who's-who" confusion. The unnamed protagonist stumbles into Manderley, only to be haunted by the shadow of her husband's glamorous, dead first wife—Rebecca, who seems more alive than ever. It’s a gripping tale of love, jealousy, and identity wrapped in a perfectly eerie atmosphere, where the past is never quite dead. Painting: Today I painted Manderley although I know I stuffed up the house! Some of t...2024-10-2222 min

A Novel Review Podcast5 books that will CHANGE your life forever - Ep 80.To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A book can change your life. But what does that mean? What is an influential book? It seems, on the surface like a simple topic, but really it is intensely personal. Any book can be the change that you need at any point in your life. When I was tagged in this challenge to come up with a list of 5 books that would change your life, I sought out the first 5 books that came to my mind when I considered what had influenced me. And so, here...2024-10-1524 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 79. "Widow Fantasies" by Hollay GhaderyTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A short story is a brief glimpse into a different world. In Widow Fantasies, a collection of 33 short stories, we are transported 33 times into the visceral and violent beauty of the lives of women. Author Hollay Ghadery delves and dissects with sharp language that cuts us to our core as each story peels back a different layer of life some take for granted. A beautiful collection all wrapped up in a book that is itself, a work of art. Painting: Today I broke the mould...2024-10-0819 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 78. "Northern Lights - His Dark Materials" by Philip PullmanTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A feisty heroine, Lyra, teams up with armoured polar bears and her soul-shaped demon to take on a corrupt Church, travel to parallel worlds, and challenge destiny itself. It’s a dazzling tale where science meets magic, leaving readers uncertain and questioning everything — including dust! Painting: Today I painted the Northern Lights Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Northern Lights” by Philip Pullman “Subtle Knife” by Philip Pullman “Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell” by Susanna Clarke Additional segme...2024-10-0118 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 77. "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" by Mohsin HamidTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid is a razor-sharp dissection of identity, belonging, and the blurred lines between love and loyalty. Through the eyes of Changez, a charming Princeton graduate, we witness a tug-of-war between the American Dream and his Pakistani roots. Hamid's storytelling is as seductive as it is unsettling, luring readers into a narrative where nothing—and no one—is as it seems. Painting: Today I painted a man adorned in the colours of the American flag, but the body in red to symb...2024-09-2421 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 76. “Another Country” by James BaldwinTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com James Baldwin’s Another Country is like jazz in prose—sultry, unpredictable, and brimming with soul. Set in 1950s New York, it dances through the lives of artists, misfits, and lovers, exposing raw truths about race, sexuality, and human connection. Baldwin’s characters don’t just live; they burn, ache, and unravel. The novel paints love as messy, beautiful, and fragile, like life itself. It's a literary cocktail—equal parts heartbreak, liberation, and timeless social commentary. Painting: Today a friend painted this. Abi worked on Rufus at t...2024-09-1722 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 75. 'Call Me Stan' by K.R. WilsonTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A man who can never die traipsing through the annals of history. But the thing is, for him it isn’t history and instead, just the present day. A sweeping novel in which the main character adopts many names, takes on many lives and experiences the rise and fall of empires. And in that rise and fall, there is the constant – Stan. The man who has not adopted the shadows, but just doesn’t know how clearly in the light he is, until the lights of the police...2024-09-1024 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 74. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. RowlingTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com I open at the close and today, after 7 books and 7 months, we come to the end of the Harry Potter journey. We are back for the final time for the magical finale where wands are swapped, lives are lost, and Horcruxes take the ultimate beating. It's a dark whirlwind of cloak-and-dagger secrets—literally—and Dumbledore’s master plan from beyond the grave. A wand, a stone, and an invisibility cloak? Call it the wizarding world’s ultimate power trio! Painting: I painted Hogwarts. One of the grea...2024-09-0332 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 73. "Moon Tiger" by Penelope LivelyTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively is a clever, kaleidoscopic dive into the memories of Claudia Hampton. Weaving through time, it’s like history told by an unreliable yet fascinating narrator, blending love, war, and introspection. Lively’s writing is sharp and witty, offering both sweeping moments and intimate detail, all while blurring the lines between personal narrative and historical fact. Painting: I painted a moon on a tiger, though there are no moons nor tigers. Some of the books and authors discussed in this...2024-08-2723 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 72. Top 10 best books of the 21st century... So farTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com 24 years into the century is surely the best time to look back and decide which books are the best books of the 21st century surely? A solid list on flimsy foundations that will most certainly be changed year on year for the next 76 years, or until I die.. whichever comes first! Painting: I painted a book atop a podium Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Norwegian Wood” by Haruki Murakami “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanigihara “Poison for Breakf...2024-08-2028 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 71. “James Bond – Casino Royale” by Ian FlemingTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The names Bond, James Bond. The introduction to one of literatures most famous spies. The man who smokes 70 cigarettes a day. A high-stakes game of words and cards, where James Bond, suave as a martini and sharp as a razor's edge, gambles his heart and lives on the turn of a card. A lyrical dance of danger, laced with tuxedos and treachery, this debut flickers like a baccarat table under the neon glint of espionage. Painting: I painted a martini and a card from a...2024-08-1323 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 70. "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" by J.K. RowlingTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Back again we go to Hogwarts for Harry’s 6th year of mayhem and madness. A novel in which so much is the same and yet there is a world of difference. The threatening tension from previous books of Voldemort is now realised and defined. And in that, a lifting of tension. We are free to indulge in the magically mundane and enjoy the final inbreath of calm, before the calamitous outbreath of the final chapter to come. Painting: I painted the ring of Marvolo Ga...2024-08-0625 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 69. 3 Novellas I lovedTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The Novella. The Goldilocks length. Not too short, not too long, but that being said, a novella is tough to pull off. What is it that makes a good novella? Is it the length, the story, the characters? There might never be a correct answer to such a question – just a personal preference. Well, this week, tune in to hear about the 3 novellas I loved Painting: I painted a leaf coming out of a book to represent one of the leaves from Leaf by Niggle...2024-07-3024 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 68. 3 novellas I did not like (as much as I thought I would)To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Buying a book is the combining moment of pure excitement meeting the expectation of the unknown. But what happens when you buy a book, and it doesn’t live up to your expectations? It is bound to happen; it is impossible to like everything and be honest to yourself, so tune in this week to listen to my honest thoughts about 3 books I did not like as much as I thought I would. Painting: I painted 3 novellas because that’s what the episode is about. 2024-07-2321 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 67. “Everyone on this train is a suspect” by Benjamin StevensonTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com You are on a train isolated in the middle of a desert. Everyone you are with is capable of committing murder and getting away with it, but also solving murders and framing others. A melting pot of mystery and ego all wrapped up in this year’s Mystery Writers Society annual event. And then, the best and worst thing that can happen, happens. A murder… Painting: I painted a question mark of train tracks and a fountain pen Some of the books and auth...2024-07-1623 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 66. "Weyward" by Emilia HartTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Where there is a Weyward there is a way. A novel about three women told through three stories threaded together by similar circumstances. Abuse of some sort and a connection to the natural world. Men labelled them as witches, but a name given to you is not a definition to who you are or who you have to become. Weyward is the story of women surviving against the oppression of men. Painting: I painted a crow across a stormy night. Some of the...2024-07-0920 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 65. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" by J.K. RowlingTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Harry, Hogwarts, chaos. Three things that seem to come around every year in Harry’s life and this year is no different. Only the chaos this year comes from the external threat of the dark lord Voldemort who is large and attempting to be in charge, mixed with a little political drama as the ministry for magic interferes at Hogwarts creating one of the most memorable villains. A lawful evil Umbridge attempting to spread a narrative that goes against Harry and Dumbledore. Just another year at Hogwarts....2024-07-0222 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 64. “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley JacksonTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A book that haunts you, or maybe you are haunting it? Shirley Jackson’s ‘The Haunting of Hill House is an anxiety inducing horror story that puts the reader in two minds about the nature of haunting. Playing with the English language as much as the reader, Jackson places doubt on both sides as to the reality of this book with an ending that comes full circle… Painting: I painted a haunted house because, well why not! Some of the books and authors discus...2024-06-2523 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 63. “Zulaikha” by Niloufar-Lily SoltaniTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A war that divides a family, divides a city and a country. A girl that grows into a woman moulded by her experiences, but never letting them define who she is. Zulaikha moves through life with an honesty towards it, but a resilience to what it throws at her. This sweeping debut novel explores the resilience of humanity in the face of destruction and offers the reader a glimpse into the beauty that is all around. Painting: I painted the city, because it is the...2024-06-1822 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 62. "The Power that Preserves: The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" by Stephan DonaldsonTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The final chapter in the First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and unsurprisingly, he is still as unpleasant as always. Unaccepting of his situation and blaming everyone along the way, Thomas takes the back seat to his own story. The land faces all-out war in this brutal tale of attrition where only those that have something to fight for, will prevail Painting: I painted the eyes of Lord Foul how they were described in his creche Some of the books and authors discussed in...2024-06-1124 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 61. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J.K. RowlingTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com We are back at Hogwarts for Harry’s 4th years of mischief and mayhem. Between battling dragons, dodging Death Eaters, and navigating the treacherous waters of the Yule Ball, Harry juggles more than just curses. As the Triwizard Tournament unfolds, he learns that Voldemort’s return is as inevitable as Snape’s snarky remarks in this next instalment. Painting: I painted a dragon because Tolkien said that any fantasy story without a dragon is a story not worth telling. Some of the books and au...2024-06-0422 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 60. "The Sense of an Ending" by Julian BarnesTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com ‘You don’t get it Tony, you never did.’ Words that echo through this book and we too as the reader become Tony, unsure of what we are missing. A blend of history and the self- delusions of our past, this Booker Prize winning novel delicately unnerves you through the infernal mystery of time and life, and how they interplay within our own memories. Painting: I painted time as best i could Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Th...2024-05-2823 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 59. "Piranesi" by Susanna ClarkeTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A world of infinite halls where Piranesi roams and makes his home. There are 16 people from this world with only two alive – himself and ‘The other’. In this world, they lead different lives as Piranesi tracks the events of the years that pass. But as we delve deeper into the cavernous halls, we also delve into the life of Piranesi and page by age we begin to learn that this world is not all it seems, and Piranesi is not who he thinks he is. Painti...2024-05-2120 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 58. "Yom Kippur in a Gym and In Sickness and in Health" by Nora GoldTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Two novellas for the price of one and it's a bargain with the skill of Nora Gold on full display. Two stories that navigate different issues in two very different ways. But both the stories are similar in that they require inflection and honesty - an inflective process and honesty that transfers to the reader with every page turned. Painting: I painted A sick woman in a bed because that is essentially what one story entails, but i also added in honey, because t...2024-05-1426 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 57. "The Illearth War: The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" by Stephan DonaldsonTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com We are back in The Land, and Thomas is just insufferable and unbelieving in his situation. Assuming He is living through a dream sequence, he rejects the dream in a bid to not commit to a growing madness in his mind. But this existential exploration of action vs inaction lays out across the Land and the scope of this book making it one of the most defeating books. Painting: I painted the great forest of Garroting Deep which plays an integral role in the brutality...2024-05-0729 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 56. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" by J.K. RowlingTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban sees a shift in the series from a form of fantasy detective fiction in the first two stories, to a story that explores the slow building pressure of a psychological thriller. Harry, now into his teen years is faced with a radically different scenario at Hogwarts. He is no longer seeking out the drama. Instead, the drama is seeking him, stalking him, haunting him… Painting: I painted Harry performing the petronus charm because that is a great scene...2024-04-3020 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 55. "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia PlathTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" is the novel that delves into the mental intricacies of the human mind. The page by page decent of madness sees Esther become increasingly abstracted from the world, but as this is happening, I felt myself more and more abstracted from the story. Tune in this week to hear my thoughts on Plath’s only novel. Painting: I painted a silhouette of a city because the opening lines to this novel hooked me. Some of the books and au...2024-04-2314 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 54. "Yellowface" by R. F. KuangTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface. Complex to a degree, problematic to a degree, controversial to a degree. Kuang's narrative delves into the intricacies of racial identity and the absurdities of cultural appropriation with a finesse that leaves readers simultaneously chuckling and contemplating the nature of the publishing world and the individual. Painting: I painted a book with the truth authors name crossed out and replaced. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Yellowface” by J.F. Kuang “The Bookbind...2024-04-1718 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 53. "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: Lord Fouls Bane" by Stephan DonaldsonTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A fantasy novel known for pushing the boundaries of what not only fantasy can do, but literature as a whole. A leper by the name of Thomas Covenant is cast into a fantasy land he disregards as a bad dream, after falling and hitting his head. But, if this is all a dream, are the consequences of our actions void, or do they hold weight upon our minds? Painting: I painted The Staff of Law which is a major plot point for the novel, along w...2024-04-1024 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 52. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by J.K. RowlingTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com The second instalment into the Harry Potter series sees the book and story delve deeper into the magical world we all have come to love. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets explores the depths of the castle Hogwarts, it introduces us to some new faces and reveals some dark magic that will be explored across the remaining books. Painting: I painted the flying car because this scene is always so fun to read and watch. I think it is the mixing of the muggle...2024-04-0219 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 51. "The Wager" by David Grann To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A tale of shipwreck, mutiny, and murder. A tale of human endurance. David Grann’s ‘The Wager’ is the shocking true tale of the Wager, a ship that makes up part of the English fleet. In this seafaring adventure, the men are pushed to the limits and also push the limits of their own existence all in the name of survival. But what happens when survival drives you to do things that are against the admirality? Painting: I painted what I view Wager Island...2024-03-2616 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 50. "The Hobbit" by J.R.R TolkienTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit… And with these words, we begin our journey into one of the richest fantasy worlds ever created, and our first glimpse into the world of Hobbits. Painting: I painted a hobbit door opening upon an acorn because I think the movie got this scene exactly right. The acorn is the love Bilbo has for the world over the greed of dragon gold. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include:...2024-03-1920 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 49. "The Island of Missing Trees" by Elif ShafakTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com From Cyprus to England, the roots of this story are set in the heats of relationships, whatever form that takes. In this book, we journey across lives and times. From a civil war in Cyprus where two star cross lovers hide what is most natural, to the distant shores of England to learn that putting down new roots is sometimes hard, and sometimes easy.. Painting: I painted a fig because the fig is central to the story. One of the main points of view is...2024-03-1315 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 48. "Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone" by J.K. RowlingTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com It is the story that defined so many of our childhoods. The story that swept the world, captured our hearts and imaginations. Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone is the first introduction into the magical world of Hogwarts and all that comes with it. A place of witches and wizards, and a dark lord thrown into the mix for a bit of fun.. Painting: I painted the sorting hat and the letter because I loved both these scenes growing up. Some of the...2024-03-0614 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 47. "The the Lighthouse" by Virginia WoolfTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In Virginia Woolf's "To the Lighthouse," Woolf's prose is a symphony of introspective musings, shifting perspectives, and the delicate dance between the seen and the unseen. The lighthouse, a distant beacon, as the characters strive to reach its elusive shores, much like readers reaching for the depths of Woolf's literary brilliance. Painting: I painted a lighthouse because what else could I paint? The lighthouse, the symbol for pursuit and achievement. This background character that is ever present in the story. Some of the...2024-02-2816 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 46. “The Island Gospel According to Samson Grief” by Steven MayoffTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Three famous historical and literary figures materialise in front of you and tell you that you have been selected by the ‘Supreme One’ as the man to build the first Synagogue on Prince Edward Island. You think you might have gone crazy. This is the opening to Steven Mayoff’s latest novel, ‘The Island According to Samson Grief’, and it is as wild as it promises to be. Painting: I painted a blue starfish with 6 arms to resemble a Jewish Star of David because politics is a huge...2024-02-2113 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 45. "The Man who was Thursday" by G. K. ChestertonTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com "The Man Who Was Thursday" by G.K. Chesterton is a metaphysical thriller that unfolds in a surreal and anarchic world. The protagonist, Gabriel Syme, infiltrates a secret anarchist council only to discover that the members are not what they seem. Each member is named after a day of the week, and the narrative twists through enigmatic encounters, philosophical discussions, and unexpected revelations. Chesterton's novel explores themes of order, chaos, and the nature of good and evil, leaving readers questioning reality and the complexities of the human p...2024-02-1413 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 44. "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre DumasTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com D'Artagnan, the ambitious country lad, stumbles into the chaotic world of 17th-century France, encountering the dashing trio Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. As they navigate political intrigue and romantic entanglements, their camaraderie becomes as legendary as their exploits. With a blend of humour, romance, and duels, Dumas concocts a timeless tale where daring deeds and clever repartees are the ultimate musketeer accessories. Painting: I painted 4 swords because throughout the novel, the 4 men constantly get into duels without fear of losing their life. Some of...2024-02-0713 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp. 43. Howls Moving Castle' by Dianna Wynne JonesTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In "Howl's Moving Castle," Diana Wynne Jones orchestrates a whimsical symphony of enchantment and eccentricity. As Sophie, the cursed young woman, finds herself in a predicament that turns her world topsy-turvy, the novel unfolds with charm and a healthy dose of mystery about how to set herself right. Sophie turns to the enigmatic wizard Howl and together they navigate a fantastical world filled with magical mishaps and unexpected alliances. Painting: I painted Calcifer because he was my favourite character, however I painted him true to...2024-01-3115 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 42. "The Hound of the Baskervilles" by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A haunting hound is upon the moors. A family curse dances in the fog and sherlock Holmes is strangely absent from his first case back after being killed off. This is a case like no other, upon the uncertain moors in Dartmoor, where rumours swirl in the fog and an ugly truth that lies too close to home, rears its haunting head. Painting: I visited Dartmoor National Park and explored the landscape close to the prison that has a brief mention in the story. I p...2024-01-2415 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 41. "Death and the Penguin" by Andrey KurkovTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com A penguin, Ukraine and the Mafia. "Death and the Penguin" is a darkly humorous novel that dances on the edge of absurdity. Set in a post-Soviet Ukraine, it follows the unlikely friendship between Viktor, a struggling writer, and Misha, his pet penguin. As they navigate a world of corruption and crime, their adventures unfold with a blend of wit, satire, and unexpected twists. Painting: I painted a penguin atop a coffin because for me, they were the two most important aspects of the novel. The...2024-01-1715 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 40. ”Small Things Like These” by Claire KeeganTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In the lead up to Christmas in a small silent town, Bill Furlong, a local coal merchant visits homes with their deliveries like Santa arriving early with gifts to warm the family. But this small town has a darkness to its silences. The church looms over them in unspoken authority and we learn about how the smallest details can shape lives for better or worse. Painting: I painted a church because I felt like the church was a central character in the book always looking...2024-01-1011 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 39. ”The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Victor HugoTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by Victor Hugo is a towering gem that combines romance, tragedy, and a dash of architectural history. With Quasimodo, the bell-ringer, as its centrepiece, the novel takes readers on a sprawling tale through the city of Paris. The novel delves into the complexities of human nature and the societal constraints that shape individuals as it all plays out with the backdrop of that historic cathedral looming over. Painting: I painted Notre Dame because while reading, it was this silent character...2024-01-0319 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 38. ”Hercule Poirot’s Christmas” by Agatha ChristieTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com "Hercule Poirot's Christmas" by Agatha Christie is a holiday whodunnit. Set during the festive season, this intriguing novel follows the renowned detective, Hercule Poirot, as he unravels a web of family secrets and deceit. With Christie's signature wit and clever plot twists, readers are taken on a thrilling journey filled with suspense, unexpected revelations, and a Christmas gathering like no other. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas” by Agatha Christie “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens 2023-12-2413 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 37. ”Black Boy” by Richard WrightTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com "Black Boy" by Richard Wright is a powerful memoir that fearlessly delves into the author's journey of self-discovery amidst racial oppression. With a sharp pen and unflinching honesty, Wright paints a vivid portrait of his experiences growing up in the Jim Crow South. Through his poignant storytelling, he challenges societal norms, confronts prejudice, and illuminates the resilience of the human spirit. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Black Boy” by Richard Wright Additional segments throughout the podcast include: M...2023-12-2012 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 36. ”The Passion According to G.H.” by Clarice LispectorTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com "The Passion According to G.H." by Clarice Lispector is a mesmerizing and absurd literary journey that defies conventional storytelling. Lispector's prose dances with madness, exploring the depths of human existence and the complexities of identity. With poetic precision, she delves into the psyche of the protagonist, G.H., as she confronts her own fears and desires. Prepare to be captivated by Lispector's enigmatic narrative, where passion and self-discovery intertwine in a beautifully haunting symphony of words. Some of the books and authors discussed in...2023-12-1313 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 35. “Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura EsquivelTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel is a tantalizing feast for the senses, blending the flavors of love, passion, and magical realism. Set in Mexico, this enchanting novel tells the story of Tita, a young woman whose emotions are infused into her cooking. As she navigates through forbidden love and societal expectations, the kitchen becomes her sanctuary, where her culinary creations ignite both desire and rebellion. With a dash of sensuality and a pinch of enchantment, this novel will leave you craving for more." ...2023-12-0614 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 34. ”We” by Yevgeny ZamyatinTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In Zamyatin's dystopian masterpiece, We, D-503, an inhabitant of the One State, navigates a world of regimented order and enforced sameness. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters I-330, a woman who challenges his rigid worldview and awakens his dormant individuality. Together, they embark on a forbidden quest for self-expression and freedom, defying the oppressive regime that seeks to control every aspect of their existence. Zamyatin's chilling vision of a totalitarian society remains as relevant as ever, serving as a stark warning against the dangers o...2023-11-2915 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 33. ”Station 11” by Emily St. John MandelTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Station Eleven is a moving and thought-provoking novel about the power of human connection in the face of adversity. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of art. The novel follows the intertwined stories of several characters, each grappling with their own loss and trying to find meaning in a world gone mad. Jeevan, a paramedic, cares for the sick and dying, while Kirsten, a former actress, finds solace in performing Shakespearean plays for the survivors. Some of the books and...2023-11-2215 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 32. “The Boulevard” by Jerrod Edson - An interview with an authorTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com God visiting hell. Satan in a panic. Hell doesn’t look as hellish as it should all because Vincent van Gough has painted the Boulevard. Satan travels on a train to tell Vincent what has to be done to ensure hell gets back to being hellish, and joining us for the journey, Hemmingway along for the ride. That is the outrageous premise for Jerrod Edson’s latest novel, “The Boulevard.” A work of speculative fiction that navigates the history of art and paints one of the fres...2023-11-1527 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 31. Judging a book by its cover - ”Cheri” by Jo Ann BeardTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Judge for yourself! To view the cover of the book, click here: https://art.nelson-atkins.org/objects/17593/interior-with-a-book This week I get a bit judgemental. I buy a book based off its cover, write down what I think the book will be about, and then read and review it to see how right or wrong I was. Tune in to see if it is possible to judge a book by its cover, but also tune in because the book ‘Cheri’ by Jo Ann Beard is a pu...2023-11-0813 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 30. ”Dracula” by Bram StokerTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Within the haunting pages of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula,’ a chilling tale unfolds, shrouded in gothic elegance and macabre allure. As the moon casts its eerie glow upon the ancient castle walls, Count Dracula emerges from the shadows, a seductive embodiment of darkness and eternal longing. Stoker’s masterful prose weaves a web of suspense, immersing readers in a world where fear and desire intertwine. From the blood-soaked Transylvanian landscapes to the relentless pursuit of the vampire hunters, ‘Dracula’ invites us to confront our deepest fears and embrace the...2023-10-3119 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 29. Part 2, “The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor DostoyevskyTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Part 2 of Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov." The novel turns in the second half to one that shines on the action of responsibility. A dash of murder rears its head and suddenly we are left reeling, wondering what is going on, who is responsible and who can we trust. As the story delves into the hearts of men, we start to learn about the small pin pricks of light that shine through the darkness facets of man and how action outshines reason. Some of the books...2023-10-2521 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 28. Part 1, ”The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor DostoyevskyTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Part 1 of Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov." A literary masterpiece that serves up a dark, complex brew of familial strife, moral dilemmas, and philosophical introspection. With a dash of murder, a pinch of patricide, and a generous helping of soul-searching, this novel is a literary feast. As the Karamazov brothers grapple with their inner demons and confront their shared legacy of dysfunction, Dostoevsky's prose weaves a tantalizing tapestry of human nature's darkest and most profound facets. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode...2023-10-1825 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 27. ”Young Mungo” by Douglas StewartTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In Douglas Stewart's novel "Young Mungo," Mungo’s spirit dances with the vivacity of youth, painting the pages with vibrant hues of curiosity and rebelliousness. With every turn, Mungo's life unfold like a masterful tapestry, woven with despair and wisdom. Stewart's prose is a delightful concoction of daring escapades and poignant moments, leaving readers spellbound in a world of youthful exuberance. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Young Mungo” by Douglas Stewart “We” by Yevgeny Zamyatin Additional segments throughout...2023-10-1012 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 26. ”Lord of the Flies” by William GoldingTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies,' a group of stranded boys proves that even paradise can descend into chaos. With wit as sharp as the island's jagged rocks, Golding unveils the primal instincts lurking beneath civilized veneers. As their society crumbles, readers are left pondering the fragility of humanity's thin social construct. In this microcosm of the world, Golding deftly illustrates the dark and timeless truths about human nature. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Lord of th...2023-10-0416 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 25. ”Ghana Must Go” by Taiye SelasiTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In "Ghana Must Go" by Taiye Selasi, family secrets unravel like a beautifully complex tapestry. Selasi's lyrical prose weaves a narrative that explores the intricate threads of identity, belonging, and love across continents. This novel is a symphony of emotions, leaving readers both enchanted and introspective, longing for more. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Ghana Must Go” by Taiye Selasi Additional segments throughout the podcast include: Mantle Piece Moments What are you reading? On that Quote Ap...2023-09-2712 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 24. ”The Brickworks” by Lucy E.M. Black - An Interview with an AuthorTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In Today’s episode, Seamus is joined by Canadian author, Lucy E.M Black and her latest novel, “The Brickworks”. Written over 6 years and edited 15 times, this historical fictive novel is about the art of brickmaking and how small industry can shape a town. Lucy surrounds her luminous writing style with dedication, care and authenticity to historical accuracies, to write a novel that captures the beauty and the harshness of our industrial and social history. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode includ...2023-09-2033 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 23. ”A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeline L’EngleTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In "A Wrinkle in Time," Madeline L'Engle weaves a cosmic tapestry of adventure, love, and the triumph of light over darkness. Meg Murry, armed with her intellect and a dash of interstellar chutzpah, embarks on a dimension-hopping journey to rescue her father from the clutches of the enigmatic IT. L'Engle's prose is a stellar warp-speed ride through the tessellations of space and time, where courage shines brighter than stars. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “A Wrinkle in Time” by M...2023-09-1315 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 22. “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha ChristieTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" is a literary masterpiece that conducts a riveting symphony of suspense aboard a snowbound train. As Hercule Poirot unravels the enigma of a gruesome murder, the plot thickens faster than a rich gravy on a winter's night. With a cast of characters as diverse as a melting pot of flavors, Christie serves up a tantalizing whodunit that keeps readers guessing until the very last page, leaving them hungry for more of her delectable mysteries. All aboard for a first-class literary...2023-09-0613 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 21. ”The Orestia: The Eumenidies” by AeschylusTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Aeschylus wielded his quill like a maestro in "The Eumenides," the final note in his Oresteia symphony. Justice takes the stage, swathed in ancient robes, as Furies transform into the Eumenides – avengers turned arbiters. Athena, wise and cunning, presides over this divine courtroom drama. A clash of old and new norms reverberates as vengeance finds redemption. With thunderous words and dramatic cadence, Aeschylus explores the trial of history, leaving us pondering the echoes of ancient judgments. Some of the books and authors discussed in this ep...2023-08-3013 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 20. ”Structualism”To follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Literary structuralism: where words waltz and sentences salsa, revealing the clandestine choreography of meaning. It's the Sherlock Holmes of literary analysis, deducing significance not from the obvious suspects, but from the intricate footwork of narrative patterns and linguistic pirouettes. So, let's tango with texts and cha-cha through chapters, unveiling the hidden harmonies of storytelling's grand ballroom. Additional segments throughout the podcast include: Mantle Piece Moments What are you reading? On that Quote Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-novel-review-podcast/id1681724908 2023-08-2309 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 19. ”Nighwood” by Djuna BarnesTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Djuna Barnes orchestrates a haunting symphony of desire and despair in her novel 'Nightwood.' Amidst the avant-garde tapestry of 1920s Paris, her characters tangle in a web of unconventional passions and existential wanderings. With prose that cuts to the marrow of human complexity, Barnes crafts a hypnotic tale that leaves readers both enchanted and emotionally unraveled. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Nightwood” by Djuna Barnes “When you are Engulfed in Flames” by David Sedaris Additional segments througho...2023-08-1612 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 18. ”Ice” by Anna KavanTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Anna Kavan's novel 'Ice' is a chilling masterpiece that sweeps readers into a realm of surreal beauty and haunting desolation. With prose as crystalline as the frozen landscapes it portrays, Kavan weaves a mesmerizing tale of obsession, displacement, and the enigmatic dance between reality and dream. Prepare to be entranced, chilled, and utterly captivated by this icy literary gem. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Ice” by Anna Kavan “Half a World Away” by Mike Gayle Additional segments througho...2023-08-0912 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 17. ”An Imaginary Life” by David MaloufTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In David Malouf's novella, 'An Imaginary Life,' the imaginative journey unfolds like a lyrical dance between reality and illusion. Set in ancient Rome, it follows Ovid's exile in a land where nature's secrets reign. Malouf's poetic prose weaves a spellbinding tale of self-discovery, embracing the wilderness of the human spirit, leaving readers pondering the fine line between the tangible and the ethereal. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “An Imaginary Life” by David Malouf “Book Seller” by Arthur Gutterma...2023-08-0213 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 16. ”Treasure Island” by Robert Louis StevensonTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In "Treasure Island," Robert Louis Stevenson unleashed a captivating tale that lures readers into a world of audacious pirates and buried treasures. Amidst swashbuckling adventures and cunning schemes, young Jim Hawkins discovers that not all riches glitter gold. With treacherous characters and unexpected alliances, this timeless classic hoists the sails of imagination, leaving readers marooned in a whirlwind of excitement, as they embark on a literary journey like no other. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Treasure Island” by Robe...2023-07-2616 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 15. ”The Beetle” By Richard MarshTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In Richard Marsh's captivating masterpiece, 'The Beetle,' a fiendish insect takes center stage, proving that sometimes the smallest creatures harbor the greatest horrors. This chilling tale weaves a web of suspense and intrigue, leaving readers entangled in its cleverly spun plot. With a dash of Victorian charm and a swarm of spine-tingling twists, Marsh's novel creeps beneath the surface, reminding us that even the tiniest pest can possess a sting to remember. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Th...2023-07-1913 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 14. ”The Orestia: The Choerphori” by AeschylusTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In the mystical dance of tragedy's waltz, the Orestian trilogy unveils its second act, "The Choerphori." Like nimble muses pirouetting on the stage, familial turmoil entangles the House of Atreus once more. A deadly choreography of deceit and vengeance unfolds, as Orestes, the reluctant protagonist, tiptoes delicately amidst swirling emotions. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “The Orestia: The Choerphori” by Aeschylus “The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoevsky Additional segments throughout the podcast include: Mantle Piece Moments What are...2023-07-1215 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 13. ”A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” by Alexander SolzhenitsynTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com In the frosty embrace of Siberia, Ivan Denisovich awakens with a heroic resolve, his spirit undeterred by the Gulag's harsh grip. With each frozen step, he defiantly embraces his destiny, transcending the prison's suffocating walls. Amid bitter labor, his sly wit flickers, a rebellious flame dancing amidst despair. Yet, he finds solace in the camaraderie of fellow prisoners, mocking the absurdity of their plight, forging a sliver of freedom within his eighty-eight thousand, four hundred seconds of sheer resilience. Some of the books and authors...2023-07-0512 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 12.”Passing” by Nella LarsenTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Nella Larsen's novella, 'Passing,' sashays through the intricate dance of identity, leaving readers captivated by its nuanced steps. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance, Larsen's prose orchestrates a symphony of racial ambiguity and societal facades. With the delicacy of a tightrope walker, she masterfully exposes the tangled web we weave when hiding our true selves. 'Passing' serves up a tantalizing exploration of secrets, subterfuge, and the indomitable power of perception. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include:2023-06-2815 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 11. “Poison for Breakfast” by Lemony SnicketTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com Tea with honey, a piece of toast with cheese, one sliced pear, and an egg perfectly prepared is the breakfast that brews destruction for Lemony Snicket in this witty, philosophical autobiography. The only question remains is, will he discover who poisoned his breakfast before it is too late? Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Poison for Breakfast” by Lemony Snicket “Nightwood” by Djuna Barnes “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde Additional segments throughout the podcast include: Mantle Pi...2023-06-2111 min

A Novel Review PodcastEp 10. ”Brother of a More Famous Jack” by Barbra TrapidoTo follow and support us, click here: http://anovelreviewpodcast.com "Brother of a More Famous Jack" is Barbra Trapidos' literary gem, a dazzling dance of words that twirls with wit as sharp as a tailor's needle. Trapidos masterfully crafts a tale brimming with hilarious mishaps, colourful characters, and unexpected twists. It's a symphony of satire and sibling dynamics, a rollercoaster ride that will leave you laughing, pondering, and grateful for the brilliance of Barbra Trapidos' pen. Some of the books and authors discussed in this episode include: “Brother of a More Famous Jack” by Barb...2023-06-1412 min