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The Common Reader

Henry Oliver
Shakespeare
Capitalism
Iris Murdoch
Ayn Rand
Atlas Shrugged
Jane Austen
The Sea, the Sea
George Eliot
Narcissism
Love
Masculinity
Peter Pan
Literature
Libertarianism
Collectivism
Individualism
Leo Tolstoy
Thomas De Quincey
Muriel Spark
Middlemarch

Literary discussion www.commonreader.co.uk

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes36Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksSociety & CultureArts

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Artwork for The Common Reader

Latest Episodes

This episode of The Common Reader podcast is a little different. I spoke to both Jeffrey Lawrence and Julianne Werlin about literature, politics, and the future of the academic humanities. Questions included: what do we mean when we talk about litera... more

Tuesday is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, so today I spoke to John Mullan, professor of English Literature at UCL, author of What Matters in Jane Austen. John and I talked about how Austen’s fiction would have developed if she had not ... more

I was delighted to talk to Rebecca Lowe, who is, like me, a great admirer of Solvej Balle’s On the Calculation of Volume series. We discussed Calculation as a philosophical novel: how it’s narrative voice is like that of a philosopher, the thought-ex... more

I made a video of my recent essay ‘What I Learned Reading Peter Pan to my Children’. I made this video because it is one of the things I am most pleased with having written. You can watch it on YouTube or if you want audio only, that’s available here... more

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Recent Guests

Catherine Lacey
Famous novelist and substack writer
Episode: Video of my discussion with Catherine Lacey about Iris Murdoch's The Sea, The Sea
Clare Carlisle
Philosopher at King's College London and biographer.
King's College London
Episode: Clare Carlisle: George Eliot's Double Life.
Natasha Joukovsky
Novelist and Substack writer who consults at Accenture.
Accenture
Episode: Natasha Joukovsky: literature, capitalism, and Jane Austen.

Host

Henry
Host of discussions around literary works, sharing insights and engaging with authors and critics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 24 ratings
  • Incredibly refreshing

    Podcasts are almost entirely hosted by gawping clowns desperately trying to flog their lame jokes and feeble opinions. This is so totally unlike anything else I have heard on a podcast platform - the closest thing I can liken it to is The Rest is History. But minus the slightly tedious joshing. And it’s serious - unashamedly concerned with literature and the aesthetic. Quite unsuited to the times, and one of the reasons I like it so much.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dfg 325
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Great literary podcast, with a techy twist

    Love the lack of faff, the great questions (second best after Tyler imho), and fantastic guests who I’ve not usually heard of. Keep going Henry!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Flaahton2003
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its thoughtful discussions that are refreshingly devoid of frivolity.
The format is praised for its ability to incorporate complex literary topics while remaining accessible to a general audience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#205
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#37
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#97
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#113
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#155
Israel/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#202
Ireland/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lamorna Ash. Don't Forget We're Here Forever
Q: Did you read any religious texts for your book? What were the big surprises for you?
I was surprised by the depth of the Psalms which contain so much uncertainty and anguish and the narratives allow for personal interpretation.
Lamorna Ash. Don't Forget We're Here Forever
Q: Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of the future of writing and literature and books?
I'm worried about my concentration span and the reading rates of the generation below me, yet I still feel excited by the contemporary literary landscape.
Lamorna Ash. Don't Forget We're Here Forever
Q: What was it like when you worked at the Times Literary Supplement?
It was an amazing introduction to mostly contemporary fiction, but also so many other forms of writing I didn't know about.
Clare Carlisle: George Eliot's Double Life.
Q: How sympathetic should we be to Mr. Casaubon?
Clare expresses sympathy for Mr. Casaubon, seeing his vulnerabilities and how he is portrayed through Dorothea's perspective.
Clare Carlisle: George Eliot's Double Life.
Q: What did George Eliot learn from Spinoza?
Eliot learned a lot from Spinoza, particularly his idea of interconnectedness, which influenced her views on individuality and relationships.

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 The Common Reader

What is The Common Reader about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features engaging discussions centered on literature, intertwining literary analysis with contemporary cultural reflections. Notable topics include in-depth explorations of classic works from authors like Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and T.S. Eliot, as well as conversations around significant literary figures and their impacts on society. Episodes may tackle themes such as identity, power dynamics, and the intersection between literature and current events, making it a unique space for listeners interested in both literary scholarship and its real-world implications. The format emphasizes thoughtful dialogue with authors, academics, and literary critics, creating an intellectually stimulating environment for those passionate about... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Common Reader?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Common Reader:

1. Conversations with Tyler
2. The Marginal Revolution Podcast
3. The LRB Podcast
4. EconTalk
5. London Review Bookshop Podcast

How many episodes of The Common Reader are there?

The Common Reader launched 3 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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What guests have appeared on The Common Reader?

Recent guests on The Common Reader include:

1. Catherine Lacey
2. Clare Carlisle
3. Natasha Joukovsky

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