Rephonic
Artwork for Close Readings
Andrew Marvell's 'an Horatian Ode Upon Cromwell's Return From Ireland'
Political Poetry
Oliver Cromwell
Irish Campaigns
King Charles I
Chaucer's Miller's Tale
Hesiod
The Canterbury Tales
Judith Butler
Jean-Paul Sartre
Anti-Semitism
Alice Oswald
Works and Days
Dart
Literature
Memorial
Seneca
Elizabeth Bowen
Brent Hayes Edwards
Pankaj Mishra

Close Readings is a new multi-series podcast subscription from the London Review of Books. Two contributors explore areas of literature through a selection of key works, providing an introductory grounding like no other. Listen to some episodes for free here, and extracts from our ongoing subscriber-only series. How To Subscribe In Apple Podcasts, click 'subscribe' at the top of this podcast feed ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes190Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for Close Readings

Latest Episodes

‘He opened him up and found nothing.’ These are the doctor’s findings at Charles Bovary’s autopsy near the end of 'Madame Bovary'. Taken on its own, it’s a simple medical observation. In the context of Emma Bovary’s tragic story, it serves as a conde... more

The year London was founded will always be disputed, but the most recent archaeological evidence suggests the Romans had created the first settlement on the north bank of the Thames by 48 AD, five years after their invasion. That early military encam... more

'Hero and Leander' was published in 1598, and anyone who came across it in a stationer’s shop in Elizabethan London would have known that its author was dead, killed in a brawl in Deptford in 1593. Christopher Marlowe’s sensational life as playwright... more

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After following up a lead from a birdwatcher, Rachel Carson drew a web of connections that led to one of the most influential books of the 20th century. Silent Spring (1962) investigated the synthetic pesticides that proliferated after the Second Wor... more

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Recent Guests

Tom McCarthy
writer, artist, twice Booker Prize shortlisted novelist
London Review of Books
Episode: The Man Behind the Curtain: ‘Don Quixote’ by Miguel de Cervantes
Tom Crew
Writer and contributing editor at The Paper, whose novel is set in 1890s intellectual and literary London.
The Paper
Episode: Novel Approaches: ‘New Grub Street’ by George Gissing
Mark Ford
Professor of English Literature at University College London
University College London
Episode: Novel Approaches: ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’ by Thomas Hardy
Mary Wellesley
Fellow of the Institute of Historical Research in London and former host of close reading series on medieval literature
Institute of Historical Research
Episode: Novel Approaches: ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’ by Thomas Hardy
Ruth Bernard Yeazell
Stirling Professor of English at Yale University, author of 'Fictions of Modesty' and other works
Yale University
Episode: Novel Approaches: ‘The Mill on the Floss’ by George Eliot
Deborah Friedell
Contributing editor at the LRB, writer since 2007
London Review of Books
Episode: Novel Approaches: ‘The Mill on the Floss’ by George Eliot
Stefanie Markovits
Teaches English at Yale, published widely on literature of the Romantic and Victorian periods and on the verse novel.
Yale University
Episode: Novel Approaches: 'Aurora Leigh' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Seamus Perry
Teaches English at Oxford, participant in a series on literature.
Oxford University
Episode: Novel Approaches: 'Aurora Leigh' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Dinah Birch
Meritus Professor of English at Liverpool University
Liverpool University
Episode: Novel Approaches: ‘North and South’ by Elizabeth Gaskell

Hosts

James Wood
Critic and novelist, Wood is a staff writer for The New Yorker and has been heavily involved in literary criticism, bringing depth to episodes.
Seamus Perry
Host of multiple series including Close Readings, Perry is an English teacher and literary critic who brings a scholarly perspective to the content.
Thomas Jones
Host of The Man Behind the Curtain and a senior editor, Jones contributes to discussions with insights into literary culture.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 219 ratings
  • Feels like being at uni again only better

    This is my favourite podcast. Mark and Seamus are my favourite LRB pairing of all the brilliant pairings. They are a right pair of brain boxes it must be said but I just love listening to them talk about poetry with such knowledge and loving care. The threads about fiction and philosophy are equally marvellous with obviously high calibre speakers and well selected books. My only criticism is that the podcasts are far too fast and way too short. With more time the presenters could relax a bit mor... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LleynSean
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Slightly obsessed with this

    I love hearing clever people talk about great books. This is wonderful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nomhossain
    United States2 months ago
  • Accessibility of close readings as a subscriber.

    Terrible access. And please no smug answers from lrb punters. Lrb podcast organisers - are you there? Communicate with subscribers and make it easy. Others do. The podcasts are good btw.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Theysawmecomingagain
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Great

    One of the best podcasts of its kind. I can tell that it takes a lot of time and labor to make the show – I hope the creators don’t get burnt out so that it’s able to continue.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    display name!!
    United States8 months ago
  • so good

    so worth the subscription

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    12,9)(;;7):.!
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the podcast is praised for its educational value and rich insights into literary works and contexts.
Listeners appreciate the nuanced discussions that often highlight connections between literature and philosophy.
Content is highly regarded for its depth and quality, showcasing the hosts' expertise in literary analysis.
Some reviews express concerns regarding subscriber access and the need for better communication regarding episode availability.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#64
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#174
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#23
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#63
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#75
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#202
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Nature in Crisis: ‘Silent Spring’ by Rachel Carson
Q: What was your first impression of Silent Spring?
I found it immensely impressive, both with the content and also with the writing.
Novel Approaches: ‘Kidnapped’ by Robert Louis Stevenson
Q: Could you tell us a little about Stevenson and his background?
Stevenson was born in Edinburgh in 1850, had a troubled childhood, and was influenced by his family's engineering background and literary pursuits.
Novel Approaches: ‘The Mill on the Floss’ by George Eliot
Q: What broadly is the story of The Mill on the Floss?
The first part lingers over the childhood of Maggie Tulliver, detailing her relationship with her family and her struggles in a rigid societal framework, ultimately leading to her tragic fate.
Novel Approaches: ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Brontë
Q: Can you tell us a bit about the biographical and historical circumstances in which Wuthering Heights came to be written and published?
Charlotte Brontë took the lead in persuading her sisters to publish their poems and later their novels, which stirred controversy in the literary world due to their themes and characters.
Novel Approaches: ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Brontë
Q: What was so scandalous about Wuthering Heights in particular?
It was regarded as completely amoral, which seems to be entirely correct.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Close Readings

What is Close Readings about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on exploring significant literary works, this podcast brings together a selection of contributors to discuss key themes and narratives across diverse genres and periods, including realism, contemporary literature, elegy, and narrative poetry. Episodes emphasize a deep understanding of the socio-cultural contexts and artistic styles of revered authors ranging from Thomas Hardy to Ursula K. Le Guin, creating an enriching experience that appeals to both literature enthusiasts and casual readers. Notably, the series also delves into philosophical themes and the evolution of literary criticism, making it a valuable resource for those interested in broadening their literary horizons through nuanced discussions.

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How many listeners does Close Readings get?

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What are the audience demographics for Close Readings?

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How many subscribers and views does Close Readings have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Close Readings has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Close Readings?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Close Readings:

1. The LRB Podcast
2. London Review Bookshop Podcast
3. Past Present Future
4. Backlisted
5. Arts & Ideas

How many episodes of Close Readings are there?

Close Readings launched 3 years ago and published 190 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Close Readings?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Close Readings?

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What guests have appeared on Close Readings?

Recent guests on Close Readings include:

1. Tom McCarthy
2. Tom Crew
3. Mark Ford
4. Mary Wellesley
5. Ruth Bernard Yeazell
6. Deborah Friedell
7. Stefanie Markovits
8. Seamus Perry

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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