
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
| Publishes | Monthly | Episodes | 41 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Arts | |||

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F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender Is the Night (1934) has always sparked great debate about whether it is a noble botch or a modernist classic because its non-chronological form, confounding character motivation, and intrusive narrative ... more
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Episode 40 of the Great American Novel Podcasts discusses one of the great American novels of the Twentieth Century, one that is perhaps more significant and relevant now than it has been in quite some time. In this episode your fe... more
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In 1997 Philip Roth entered a brilliant late phrase of a career that no one really saw coming. While certainly one of the greats of later twentieth century American fiction, he was widely seen as spinning variations on his favorite ... more
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And now for something completely different. In its 38th episode, the Great American Novel Podcast throws away its foundational genre with no more regard for decorum than cats and dogs shacking up in sheer defiance of the apocalypse... more
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These guys know their stuff. I love how most of the podcast contextualizes the book and goes into what the author was trying to do as well as some biographical details. Not too much summary which I think is very wise. Have a listen!
These folks are good. Boy, do I love books.
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.
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.
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!
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Apple Podcasts | #115 |
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Two literary scholars host thoughtful, accessible deep-dives into American novels widely discussed as GANs, tracing canon formation, reception histories, and cultural context. Episodes pairing close readings with biographical and historical threads tend to blend canonical analyses with editorial backstories, exploring themes like modernism, identity, politics, and the American dream across a range of classic and modern works. The show is notable for its erudite yet engaging approach, clear teaching sensibilities, and a knack for connecting literary detail to broader cultural conversations, making it appealing to both serious students and curious general readers.
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Great American Novel launched 5 years ago and published 41 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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