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
Jean-Paul Sartre
Judith Butler
Anti-Semitism
Alice Oswald
Works and Days
Literature
Memorial
Dart
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes195Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CoursesBooksArtsEducation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Close Readings

Latest Episodes

In Blue Machine (2024), Helen Czerski refigures the ocean as an enormous planetary engine, converting light and heat into motion. Her book invites us to see the ocean not as an ‘absence’ but an intricate series of operations that makes life as we kno... more

Dostoevsky’s 1864 novella doesn’t contain the descriptive detail, impersonal narration or many other features of 19th-century realism established by Flaubert. The book’s two-part structure, which starts with a 40-year-old’s furious rant against ratio... more

After Roman London was hit by a catastrophic fire in about 125 AD, perhaps the result of another local revolt, it entered a new period of sophistication which saw the emergence of elaborate townhouses for its mercantile and administrative elite, rich... more

Like Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare made good use of his time off when the theatres were shut for plague in 1593. 'Venus and Adonis' appeared in quarto that year and become by far the most popular work Shakespeare published in his lifetime,... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The LRB Podcast
The LRB PodcastThe London Review of Books
Past Present Future
Past Present FutureDavid Runciman
Backlisted
BacklistedBacklisted
In Our Time
In Our TimeBBC Radio 4
The History of Literature
The History of LiteratureJacke Wilson / The Podglomerate

Recent Guests

Adam Thirlwell
Novelist and critic
Episode: Who’s afraid of realism? ‘Notes from Underground’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky
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

Hosts

Seamus Perry
Contributor and teacher of English with expertise in literary criticism.
James Wood
Prominent literary critic and host, engaging discussions on modern literature.
Thomas Jones
Senior editor and main presenter with expertise in literary history.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 226 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 Kingdom3 months ago
  • Slightly obsessed with this

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nomhossain
    United States3 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 Kingdom9 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 States10 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.

Many individuals value the ability to engage with complex literary themes in an accessible format, enhancing their appreciation for literature.
Listeners appreciate the depth of analysis and the intellectual rigor of the discussions, often finding them enlightening.
Critics mention occasional challenges with the pace of episodes, encouraging longer discussions for richer insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#39
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#120
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#4
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#23
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#75
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#196
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
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Close Readings

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

Offering an in-depth exploration of literature, this subscription-based series raises critical discussions on notable works and themes across various genres. With a roster of expert voices hosting each episode, listeners are treated to a blend of literary analysis and contextual commentary, often reflecting on significant cultural and historical narratives. Unique highlights include dual series focusing on the intricate link between literature and contemporary societal issues, providing an intellectual boost for both avid readers and those with a budding interest in literary criticism. The thoughtful structure encouraging thoughtful engagement with texts makes it particularly appealing to those invested in the arts and literature.

Where can I find podcast stats for Close Readings?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Close Readings. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Close Readings and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Close Readings get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Close Readings, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Close Readings?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Close Readings, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Past Present Future
3. Backlisted
4. In Our Time
5. The History of Literature

How many episodes of Close Readings are there?

Close Readings launched 3 years ago and published 195 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Close Readings?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Close Readings from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Close Readings?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Close Readings. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Close Readings?

Recent guests on Close Readings include:

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

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days