Rephonic
Artwork for Great American Novel
Civil War
White Noise
Don Delillo
The Underground Railroad
Surveillance Culture
Consumerism
Fear Of Death
Reagan Era
Postmodernism
Stephen Crane
The Red Badge Of Courage
Slavery
Racism
American Literature
Feminism
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
Media Influence
American Culture
The Catcher In the Rye
Slaughterhouse-Five

Few literary terms are more hotly debated, discounted, or derided than the "Great American Novel." But while critics routinely dismiss the phrase as at best hype and as at worst exclusionary, the belief that a national literature commensurate with both the scope and the contradictions of being American persists. In this podcast Scott Yarbrough and Kirk Curnutt examine totemic works such as Herman ... more

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It’s 1976. A woman named Reno in leather motorcycle gear descends upon the Bonneville Salt Flats on a state of the art Moto Valera motorcycle. Is speed her goal?  Is it the land art created by her tracks across the flats?  Is her roll... more

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Ernest Hemingway's 1929 novel A Farewell to Arms is probably the most famous war novel in American literary history. Inspired by his own wounding on the Italian front shortly before his nineteenth birthday, Hemingway tells the story o... more

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In this, our 34th episode of the Great American Novel podcast, the hosts tackle Colson Whitehead’s intriguing, interesting, and in some surprising ways challenging award-winning 2016 novel, The Underground Railroad.  This novel works ... more

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More celebrated for her dark, satirical short stories, Flannery O'Connor nevertheless burst on the literary scene in 1952 in her mid-twenties with her debut novel, Wise Blood. The story of a would-be preacher resistant to God's grace,... more

Key Facts

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Hosts

Scott Yarbrough
Co-host with a focus on literary analysis and education, offering insights from his extensive experience in teaching and literature.
Kirk Curnutt
Co-host known for his expertise in American literature and teaching, contributing critical analysis and contextual knowledge.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 216 ratings
  • Essential Listening

    Life is busy and I often miss my roots as a student of literature and art. Listening to this podcast returns me to one of my great loves, reminds me of the great books I’ve read or still need to read. Scott and Kirk are clearly great enthusiasts and lovers of great lit and I’m always engrossed in their conversation. Unmissable for any serious reader.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HoustonRufus
    United States4 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Outstanding podcast, the discussions are very accessible and Scott and Kirk have a great cadence throughout and a lot of helpful background information and context within each discussion. Happily making my way through each of them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shhakjah
    United States5 months ago
  • Great American Podcast

    If you have any interest at all in American literature this is the podcast for you. Erudite without being boring, it is bringing me back to so many novels I have read and loved and left behind. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JFitz0804
    United States6 months ago
  • Great listen

    Best literature podcast I’ve heard. Super informative, engaging, and educational.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Book Lover 277
    United States8 months ago
  • Excellent analysis

    Excellent analysis. Able to discuss difficult topics without being preachy. Can tell they are good teachers. Shout out to the big homie Scott Yarbrough.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1988pens
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many reviews praise the depth of analysis and the respectful tone maintained by the hosts, indicating they value knowledgeable discourse.
The conversations are described as both informative and accessible, making complex themes more relatable to a broad audience.
Listeners appreciate the hosts' insightful and engaging discussions about significant literary works.
The ability to connect literary themes with contemporary issues resonates well with the audience, enhancing their appreciation for the novels discussed.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 34: Riding the Rails with THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead
Q: What do you think about Ridgeway?
He's a very familiar figure, starting with Uncle Tom's Cabin and then we had the creepy, weird, completely amoral, not even extra violence or extra evil, just completely no empathy at all.
Episode 34: Riding the Rails with THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead
Q: What genre is Whitehead writing in here when he does something like that?
The two you hear cited most often are either speculative history or alternate history.
Episode 27: Filtering the Static in Don DeLillo's WHITE NOISE
Q: What does the title "White Noise" mean to you?
It symbolizes the meaningless noise of static from a television that represents all the ways we try to interface with reality to avoid confronting it.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Great American Novel

What is Great American Novel about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Centering on the concept of the 'Great American Novel', this exploration engages deeply with significant works of American literature that have shaped national identity and discourse. Through thoughtful discussions, the hosts Scott Yarbrough and Kirk Curnutt unpack the themes, styles, and historical contexts of iconic literature, including titles like 'Moby-Dick' and 'Beloved'. Episodes address critical subjects such as race, morality, and the complexities of American experience, making literary connections that provoke critical thought. The format combines academic analysis with accessible conversation, offering insights suitable for both seasoned readers and newcomers alike, with a focus on understanding how these pivotal texts resonate i... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Great American Novel:

1. Reading McCarthy
2. The History of Literature
3. Backlisted
4. The Book Review
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

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Great American Novel launched 5 years ago and published 36 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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