Close Readings
London Review of BooksClose Readings is a multi-series podcast 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 to unlock the ful... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 213 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | CoursesArtsEducationBooks | |||
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Latest Episodes
When Thomas Platter, a Swiss tourist, went to see ‘Julius Caesar’ at the Globe Theatre in 1599, it wasn’t Shakespeare’s language that attracted his attention but the ready availability of refreshments and the high quality of the players’ clothes. The... more
In her diary entry for 20 November 1797, Dorothy Wordsworth describes a late afternoon walk with her brother William and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. ‘ We went eight miles in the dark,’ she wrote, ‘William and Coleridge employing themselves in laying the... more
The idea that a river is a living being has important legal consequences. But it also has imaginative consequences, which can, in George Eliot’s words, ‘enlarge the imagined range for self to move in’. In ‘Is a River Alive?’ (2025), Robert Macfarlane... more
In August 1923, halfway through writing ‘Mrs Dalloway’, Virginia Woolf recorded a new idea in her diary: she would ‘dig out beautiful caves’ behind her characters, and ‘the caves shall connect, and each comes to daylight at the present moment’. This ... more
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- Just fabulous, never stop
These are some of the best discussions on literature I’ve ever encountered, including at uni. The conversation between two thoughtful people is one of the best formats anyway. These dialogues aren’t quite Socratic, but they’re almost as good. With Seamus & Mark, the original two, the result is quite wonderful if you love literature & like to think about it. The fact that Mark is a functioning poet as well makes his insights a little different. The Jonathan Rae/James Wood series was also really g... more
Apple Podcasts5Barbary Duck
United Kingdom2 months ago - Superb podcast!
At college I majored in a hard science … but loved the humanities and always tried to keep up with literature. And now Close Readings helps me relive those texts, while introducing me to others. I so enjoy listening to these - very engaging and pitched at a level that’s easily accessible. Thank you!
Apple Podcasts5Ca from LA in Pa
United States3 months ago - Stop repeating words
London series would be great if it were not for the speaker constantly repeating words. Had to bail out, I’ll afraid, too annoying.
Apple Podcasts3doublledd
Australia3 months ago - As Open as Open University
Ignore the accents if they make you think the speakers are fancy or somehow evil. The podcasts are the peak of how adult education should be carried out, at least in the liberal arts & sciences. No condescending but both speakers usually strive for clarity. And pack even one hour with to my mind fun facts. One can imagine an assiduous learner perhaps doing ten short ids after listening. And then one can review by listening again. Multiple guess would be harder, they are harder to craft. At least... more
Apple Podcasts5RobCroweUnited States3 months ago - 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 Podcasts5LleynSeanUnited Kingdom6 months ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #90 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #226 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #15 | United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #44 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #120 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #167 | Canada/Arts |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Close Readings
What is Close Readings about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A dense, scholarship-forward audio series that pairs literary critics, historians, and writers in close readings of canonical and challenging texts. Episodes show a pattern of deep textual analysis across poetry, novels, and genre, often pairing two hosts with guests to unpack context, form, and interpretation. The format favors long, thoughtful discussions, literary theory, and historical background, with strong emphasis on the relationship between text and culture. Noteworthy is the recurring collaboration among prominent English and literature scholars, the inclusion of interdisciplinary perspectives (philosophy, history, science), and a clear focus on unpacking difficult ideas for an informed audience. Potential sponsors or guests might... more
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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. The TLS Podcast
4. Backlisted
5. Past Present Future
How many episodes of Close Readings are there?
Close Readings launched 3 years ago and published 213 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. Vanessa Harding
2. Andy O'Hagan
3. Elif Batuman
4. Matthew Davies
5. Adam Thirlwell
6. Tom McCarthy
7. Tom Crew
8. Mark Ford
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.