
Marlon and Jake Read Dead People is a podcast hosted by the Booker Prize-winning and internationally bestselling author Marlon James and his editor, Jake Morrissey, Executive Editor at Riverhead Books. In each episode, Marlon and Jake talk about authors—specifically dead authors. Authors they like. Authors they hate. Great books, terrible books, and books they love that you’d never expect them to.... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 43 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsSociety & Culture | |||

Marlon and Jake take on violence in fiction: what makes it effective, what makes it gratuitous, and whether “gratuitous violence” is even a useful distinction. Tune in as they discuss the difference between violence on the page and on screen and why ... more
Marlon and Jake explore the power of setting in novels—and why the best stories feel like they couldn’t have happened anywhere else. They discuss settings that become characters in their own right, fictional worlds they’d love (or absolutely hate) to... more
Marlon and Jake explore the books that have helped define who they are, choosing four that capture different parts of their personalities and lives. They unpack how reading can shape our understanding of identity, community, and growing up—and change... more
Marlon and Jake dive into one of literature's trickiest subjects: sex. Why do some writers capture intimacy with honesty while others veer into the unintentionally hilarious? Along the way, they discuss why writing about sex is really writing about p... more
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I really need more of your podcast! Please, could you return? Make a few more? Soon?
2026 Update: they are still reading dead people and this podcast is still THE BEST
I have been waiting for three years for them to return (never gave up the hope as well!). It’s an immens privilege to listen to Marlon, one of the greatest novelists of our time and Jake, the editor de classe, bantering about books. I’ve been an avid fan since it came out in 2020, as no one talks about books like they do. So insightful, super funny and heartfelt at times, they transmit their love of reading and literature to the listener every single episode. I’ve picked up my favourite books ba... more
My life is complete to have the podcast back. Congrats on The Disappearers listed for the Booker Prize 2026! I look forward to reading a living author.
So happy you two are back!!
Love these guys, so happy they are back! (Again)
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #112 | |
Apple Podcasts | #107 | |
Apple Podcasts | #180 | |
Apple Podcasts | #152 | |
Apple Podcasts | #13 | |
Apple Podcasts | #22 |
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
| Listeners per Episode | Gender Skew | Location | |||
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Two hosts, Marlon James and Jake Morrissey, bring incisive, unabashed literary chatter focused on dead authors. They rate, celebrate, and critique writers across eras with humor and candor, exploring what makes great literature, problematic legacies, and the publishing ecosystem engaging for book lovers and industry insiders alike. Episodes mix sharp critique, lively banter, and personal reading habits, offering recommendations and provocative takes on character, morality, representation, and the cultural machinery around books. A notable strength is the duo's chemistry and willingness to disagree forcefully in service of uncovering why certain authors endure or fade, which can be both entertaining and enlightening for listeners who crave t... more
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Marlon and Jake Read Dead People launched 7 years ago and published 43 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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