Rephonic
Artwork for Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast

Thomas Pynchon books discussed here!
Bleeding Edge
Thomas Pynchon
9/11
Deep Archer
New York City
Gentrification
Government Surveillance
Montauk Project
Gabriel Ice
Silicon Alley
Deep Web
Maxine
Horst
War On Terror
Espionage
Maxine Tarnow
Family Dynamics
9-11 Attacks
Chandler Platt
Midwest

Each episode, we take a deep-dive into the book we are focusing on—we explore the references, characters, plot, and everything in between from a non-scholarly point of view. We are just four fans who love these books and can talk about them endlessly.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes98Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast

Latest Episodes

Quit your scratching and bleeding and put down the rosary, the cure of all your anxieties has arrived! At long last, the Mapping the Zone Review of Shadow Ticket, Spoilerful Edition, has been released, and it's packed with more hot takes and thrillin... more

YouTube

It's finally here and we got to read it! Shadow Ticket, the newest (and perhaps final) novel by Thomas Pynchon is out in the wild and we are here with a spoiler-free review for those who may not have had a chance to read it as of yet.

We will have a... more

YouTube

Wid'ya lookit that! It's been a hundred pages since our paths last crossed the Chums' of Chance, and here they are, in Venice. That ain't the only coincidence at hand, no, far too many'a them... Something's wrong. Still, hoping to keep with the patri... more

YouTube

Once in a lifetime, a moment comes around, and one has with the latest film from auteur director Paul Thomas Anderson! We take that moment to assess the film on its own merit, but not without respect to the weight of its primary credited influence, V... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Chapo Trap House
Chapo Trap HouseChapo Trap House
Fourth Reich Archaeology
Fourth Reich ArchaeologyFourth Reich Archaeology
Trillbilly Worker's Party
Trillbilly Worker's PartyTrillbilly Worker's Party
TrueAnon
TrueAnonTrueAnon
Subliminal Jihad
Subliminal JihadSubliminal Jihad

Recent Guests

Alex Pheby
Author of the Cities of the Weft trilogy
Newcastle University
Episode: Bonus Episode - Alex Pheby
Johan Harstad
Norwegian author known for books like Red Handler
Episode: Against the Day: Part One - The Light Over the Ranges (w/ Johan Harstad)

Hosts

Kate
Co-host discussing literature and authors, bringing insights into Pynchon's works.
Cody
Co-host discussing Pynchon and literature, often engaging with various themes in the narrative.
Will
Co-host providing different perspectives on the literary discussions, focusing on analysis and humor.
Luke
Co-host offering insights into thematic elements of literature, particularly Pynchon's narrative style.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 115 ratings
  • My Thomas Pynchon Companion Podcast

    Fantastic podcast where the hosts go deep in examining Thomas Pynchon’s works. I’ve loved pacing my reading alongside the episodes as the hosts’ insights have really enhanced my understanding of and appreciation for each book.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    annajrules
    Australia2 months ago
  • I like Luke

    That’s it. I like him

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DanielMHII
    United States4 months ago
  • Reading the Line With Podcast Jobbers *WHERE HAVE GONE?

    So glad to have another TP podcast (RIP PIP). Mason and Dixon is my favorite of Pynchon's novels, and the most under explored. They examine its nooks and crannies here in the convivial manner popular to the podcast format.

    Thank you! Vineland next I hope! *No new shows in over a month. What gives? Miss it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    junt
    United States6 months ago
  • Boring libs missing the point

    Absolutely fantastic podcast if you want to hear a bunch of midwit libs misunderstand Pynchon and talk themselves out of believing he’s saying what is right there on the page. Maybe get a communist or an anarchist as one of the main hosts so you have somebody who actually ideologically relates with Pynchon’s writing. He is my favorite author and this is a huge disappointment.If you want better analysis listen to the Pynchon episodes of Programmed to Chill, Beverley Trillbillies, or Death is Just... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    scottryan88
    United Statesa year ago
  • Refreshing perspective

    The tone of the discussion is low key and inviting, so much so that you might miss how really thoughtful the hosts are. If you already love Pynchon or are just curious this is an absolute recommendation —this team has a fresh, open perspective and bring out the heart and the fun that many critics overlook. Cheers!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doc Denoon
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

The relatable and humorous tone of the hosts makes complex literary discussions feel approachable, attracting a broad audience.
Some critiques mention a desire for more diverse viewpoints in the analysis, particularly regarding ideological interpretations.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful analysis and in-depth discussions of Pynchon's works, often finding the content enriching for their understanding of literature.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#69
Colombia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#109
Poland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#123
Colombia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#138
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#139
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#139
Belgium/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bonus Episode - Kefahuchi Tract trilogy by M. John Harrison
Q: Do you think these are a good introduction to his work?
I think that these could be a good introduction to him.
Bonus Episode - Kefahuchi Tract trilogy by M. John Harrison
Q: What puts light into your top 10 books you've ever read, top three sci-fi you've ever read?
The world building is really exquisite, I would say, in terms of it's just really well thought out.
Bonus Episode - Kefahuchi Tract trilogy by M. John Harrison
Q: Does it tell us what we should or should not turn down for?
No, it doesn't. It does not address turning down or turning up.
Bonus Episode - The Red Handler by Johan Harstad (translated by David Smith)
Q: Are the criticisms of the crime novel genre accurate?
Cody agrees that certain tropes in crime novels can be excessive but also remarks that there is charm in the journey from point A to B in traditional novels.
Bonus Episode - The Red Handler by Johan Harstad (translated by David Smith)
Q: Did you understand like from the beginning that this is kind of like a meta-fictional like joke or were you partially sold on the kind of frame narrative of it?
Cody indicated he was sold based on the description on the back but found it more interesting once he realized it was meta-fictional.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content tends to concentrate heavily on the intricate works of Thomas Pynchon, particularly his novel 'Against the Day.' Episodes frequently explore complex themes such as capitalism, historical events, and philosophical insights intertwined with surreal storytelling. The hosts engage in lively discussions regarding literary elements and character dynamics, while also pulling from broader cultural and historical contexts. Each episode, viewed as an endeavor to decode Pynchon's dense narratives, enhances listener comprehension by providing personal reflections and humor, making it an accessible platform for both casual readers and dedicated fans of literature.

Where can I find podcast stats for this podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to this podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does this podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for this podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for this podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for this podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does this podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers this podcast 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 this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Chapo Trap House
2. Fourth Reich Archaeology
3. Trillbilly Worker's Party
4. TrueAnon
5. Subliminal Jihad

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 98 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 this podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for this podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for this podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for this podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of this podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Alex Pheby
2. Johan Harstad

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days