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 | 222 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsCoursesEducation | |||
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Latest Episodes
If Saul Bellow’s Seize the Day (1956) belongs firmly to postwar American realism, then Pnin (1957) certainly doesn’t. With its self-conscious fictionality and unreliable narrator, Nabokov’s novel is a model of postmodernism. Yet for all its playfulne... more
The restoration of the monarchy in 1660 brought a flurry of changes to London life. Women were allowed to appear on stage for the first time, the Royal Society was founded and the West End, with its squares, parks and fashionable ‘season’, was born. ... more
According to legend, a young woman who observes certain rites on 20 January, the Eve of St Agnes, will see in her dreams the man she is going to marry. When John Keats found himself in Chichester on that day in 1819, he was inspired to write his own ... more
In ‘Middlemarch’, Tom McCarthy argues, George Eliot uses her ‘study of provincial life’ as a Trojan Horse to smuggle the continental philosophy of Spinoza and Hegel into the vicarages of middle England. In this episode, McCarthy joins Thomas Jones to... more
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- great show
I love listening to James Wood. I’ve never felt inspired to review a podcast before. Thanks for making this, LRB
Apple Podcasts5xtine, a long-time listener
United States2 months ago - 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 Kingdom4 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 PaUnited States5 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
Australia5 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 States5 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #43 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #133 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #6 | United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #20 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #61 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #162 | Canada/Arts |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About Close Readings
What is Close Readings about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Two-consultant style conversations explore literature through close readings of key works, often pairing scholars or critics to unpack texts with a mix of historical context, theory, and rich textual analysis. Episodes span poetry, novels, and essays, linking form, history, and culture while highlighting how readings illuminate larger ideas about society, art, and human experience. A distinctive feature is the scholarly yet accessible approach, with recurring guests from literary criticism and philosophy, plus themed multi-episode series and subscriber-exclusive strands that deepen the discussion. This setup is especially useful for listeners who want rigorous, idea-forward conversations that still feel human and exploratory, and for sponso... 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. Past Present Future
5. Backlisted
How many episodes of Close Readings are there?
Close Readings launched 4 years ago and published 222 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. Miranda Seymour
3. Andy O'Hagan
4. Elif Batuman
5. Matthew Davies
6. Tom McCarthy
7. Tom Crew
8. Colin Burrow
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.