Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films
Wes Alwan and Erin O'LuanaighSubtext is a book club podcast for readers interested in what the greatest works of the human imagination say about life’s big questions. Each episode, philosopher Wes Alwan and poet Erin O’Luanaigh conduct a close reading of a text or film and co-write an audio essay about it in real time. It’s literary analysis, but in the best sense: we try not overly stuffy and pedantic, but rather focus on un... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 206 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsTV & FilmBooks | |||
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Latest Episodes
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” and its sustained reflection on how political power is constructed, located, and legitimated.
Upcoming Episodes: “Amadeus,” Susan Sontag.
Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Av... more
Brutus is an honorable man, but Caesar is Caesar: at the beginning of Shakespeare’s play, his name is near the point of becoming synonymous with dictatorial power, and his every wish, as Mark Antony points out, has the substance of a command. For the... more
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of the 1949 classic film “The Third Man,” about friendship and betrayal, and about the stories we tell ourselves in order to love, survive, kill, or even die.
Upcoming Episodes: “Julius Caesar.”
Pre-order Erin... more
The so-called “third man factor” is a phenomenon in which people in dire circumstances experience the presence of an extra person in their midst who gives comfort and aid when it’s most needed—a guardian angel, perhaps, or some figure of divine inter... more
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Reviews
- Mostly good
I struggled with this review because of the Jane Austen episode. I was really enjoying each episode I was listening to, but when it came to the Pride and Prejudice one, I found the commentary extremely strange. I believe it’s perfectly normal to dislike a movie adaptation of a book you love, or cast choices, or acting ability, but to go on and on about Keira Knightley’s looks in such a gross way when it’s not relevant to the story or any context of the book (and is in fact, merely a matter of pr... more
Apple Podcasts3Lt_met
Canada20 days ago - Profound Yet Approachable
A celebration of the human experience and the symbols we negotiate in describing it. Wes and Erin are deeply insightful and humorously self-aware at the same time. They have great chemistry, and every episode is edifying and funny, even if you haven’t read or watched the work they’re discussing.
Apple Podcasts5Zumolllaaaaaaaa
United Statesa month ago - Love!
Huge fan of this podcast! Every time they cover something I’ve read or watched I’m so delighted. Fantastic observations
Apple Podcasts5HSpauldsUnited States6 months ago - Love this show!
Best subtextual analysis out there…
Apple Podcasts5adam8652United States8 months ago - Question on Emily Dickinson
Hey guys! Love the show. I had a question about the Emily Dickinson episode on “I felt a funeral in my brain.” Do you think there’s any possibility Ambrose Bierce read the poem and incorporated its insights into dying into “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”?
Apple Podcasts5felix1062United States9 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #210 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #183 |  United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #29 |  Norway/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #70 |  Denmark/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #98 | Norway/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #113 |  Finland/Arts/Books |
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| Listeners per Episode | Gender Skew | Location | |||
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| Interests | Professions | Age Range | |||
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast
What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Exploring the rich intersections of literature and cinema, this series engages listeners with thought-provoking discussions on classic texts and films. Each episode features a close reading that reflects on the greater human experiences portrayed within these works, focusing on themes such as authority, individuality, love, and societal critique. The engaging conversational style of the hosts balances intellectual depth with accessibility, inviting a wide audience to consider how these artistic expressions connect to contemporary life.
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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:
1. The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
2. Entitled Opinions (about Life and Literature)
3. Arts & Ideas
4. The 404 Media Podcast
5. You'll Hear It
How many episodes of this podcast are there?
this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 206 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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