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The Cosmic Library

Adam Colman
The Brothers Karamazov
In Search Of Lost Time
Marcel Proust
The New Yorker
Dostoevsky
Music
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Short Stories
Sibling Relationships
Russian Literature
Lit Hub
La Captive
Identity
Memory
Time
French Literature
Mathematics
Logic
High Society
Art

The Cosmic Library explores massive books in order to explore everything else. Here, books that can seem overwhelming—books of dreams, infinity, mysteries—turn out to be intensely accessible, offering so many different ways to read them and think with them. Season one considered Finnegans Wake; in season two, it was 1,001 Nights. Season three journeyed through and beyond the Hebrew Bible. In seaso... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes42Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

In Time Regained, the concluding volume of Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time, an older version of the narrator gloomily decides to attend a gathering at the Guermantes' mansion. He’s thinking, as Joshua Landy paraphrases here, "I might as well g... more

The Prisoner—the fifth volume of In Search of Lost Time—spirals through the vortex of the narrator’s jealousy concerning Albertine. Something of that vortex churns on into The Fugitive—the sixth volume—and then the focus moves toward grief. But acros... more

The “lost time” of In Search of Lost Time can connote “wasted time,” and Marcel Proust’s narrator does confront wastes of time, through pretentious conversations and moments when habit takes control. But the novel makes much of this waste, and we gli... more

Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time follows the development of a self. The narrator grows up in Combray, in the seaside town of Balbec, in Paris, and resolves to become a writer. But that narrative also encompasses so much else, from historical cr... more

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Recent Guests

Alex Ross
Music critic for The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Episode: Season 7 Trailer: In Search of Lost Time
Christine Smallwood
Author of the book La Captive
Episode: Season 7 Trailer: In Search of Lost Time
Joshua Landy
Proust scholar
Episode: Season 7 Trailer: In Search of Lost Time
Hannah Freed-Thall
Scholar introducing the world of Proust's novel
Episode: Season 7 Trailer: In Search of Lost Time
Rick Moody
Novelist discussing self in Proust's work
Episode: Season 7 Trailer: In Search of Lost Time
Hearty White
Host of Miracle Nutrition on WFMU
Episode: 6.3 Karamazov Season: Philosophical Phrenzy
Paulina Rowińska
Author of Mapmatics
Episode: 6.3 Karamazov Season: Philosophical Phrenzy
Robin Feuer Miller
Professor of Russian Literature at Brandeis University and author of The Brothers Karamazov, Worlds of the Novel
Brandeis University
Episode: 6.3 Karamazov Season: Philosophical Phrenzy
Katherine Bowers
Professor of Russian Literature at the University of British Columbia and author of Writing Fear, Russian Literature and the Gothic
University of British Columbia
Episode: 6.3 Karamazov Season: Philosophical Phrenzy

Host

Adam Coleman
Host of The Cosmic Library

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 33 ratings
  • A stimulating look at the books that matter

    Whatever this show tackles, it tackles well, so I’m excited for the upcoming Proust season. A rewarding listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scooter1910
    United States2 months ago
  • Is a podcast about Finnegan’s Wake listenable?

    A joyous yes! As a reader, I’ve always stood timorously before the literary Everest that is Finnegan’s Wake. Unsure whether my past reading experiences had sufficiently prepared me, I could neither begin the ascent nor put aside the desire to make the climb. After listening to the first episode of F&F, I finally feel up to the challenge. My newly found confidence stems from the fact that the deeply-skilled host Adam Colman will be the one leading the Everest expedition. Onwards, ever onwards!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cisco Bananas
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful exploration of complex literary works, finding discussions stimulating and rewarding.
Feedback highlights the show's ability to make challenging texts approachable and engaging, often leading to newfound confidence among listeners tackling difficult literature.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

7.1 In Search of Lost Time: Imaginary Music
Q: What does music represent in Proust's novel?
Music expresses the deepest personality of the composer and re-enchants the world, providing a model for understanding the shape of one's life aesthetically.
7.1 In Search of Lost Time: Imaginary Music
Q: How do you describe Proust's style?
Proust's style is unusual; it often features long, convoluted sentences that start and then interrupt themselves, making it lyrical yet rational. It requires patience to appreciate but ultimately makes sense.
6.1 Karamazov Season: The Radio Play
Q: What are the distinct modes of thinking these characters pose against one another?
Dmitri is the romantic hero, Ivan the thinker, and Alyosha an effort of creating a real good man by Dostoevsky.
6.1 Karamazov Season: The Radio Play
Q: Do you get a sense of the narrative running away from its own author?
Yes, but there's an intuitive thing that happens that overrides reason a little bit.
5.1 The Short Story in the U.S.: Introduction
Q: What do you find to be the difference between a short story and just a short version of a novel?
There's a big difference in terms of what you're trying to capture and how quickly you're trying to get there and how complicated it can be.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Cosmic Library

What is The Cosmic Library about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the vast landscapes of classic literature, this podcast focuses on monumental texts that challenge readers with their complexity. The discussions aim to unravel these seemingly daunting works by offering accessible insights, allowing listeners to engage deeply with themes, characters, and philosophical inquiries. Noteworthy seasons have delved into diverse narratives ranging from the intricacies of 'Finnegans Wake' to the rich narrative layers of 'The Brothers Karamazov', incorporating expert perspectives and engaging storytelling techniques. Each episode invites listeners into a broader understanding of literature's profound impact on life and thought.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Cosmic Library?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Cosmic Library:

1. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
2. Backlisted
3. The New Yorker: Fiction
4. Weird Studies
5. Critics at Large | The New Yorker

How many episodes of The Cosmic Library are there?

The Cosmic Library launched 5 years ago and published 42 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Cosmic Library?

Recent guests on The Cosmic Library include:

1. Alex Ross
2. Christine Smallwood
3. Joshua Landy
4. Hannah Freed-Thall
5. Rick Moody
6. Hearty White
7. Paulina Rowińska
8. Robin Feuer Miller

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